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World War I
Conditions in Europe in early
1900’s
• Ripe with nationalism(Germany and Italy
brimming with pride)
• France steamed over the Franco-Prussian
War defeat
• Russia sponsoring a movement of all Slavic
countries
• Balkans are a ticking time bomb
– Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire
struggling to control nationalist desires
• Secret, entangling, alliances
Europe in 1914
Choosing sides:
A History of Alliances
TREATY
DATE
The Dual Alliance 1879-1918
COUNTRIES
Austria-Hungary
Germany
In protecting Austria-Hungary from Russia, Germany
was looking out for her own interests. If Austria-Hungary
were ever to fall then the Russians would be at the
German door. This was an actual defensive alliance on
the part of Germany.
Europe in 1879
Choosing sides:
A History of Alliances
TREATY
DATE
The Triple Alliance 1882-1915
COUNTRIES
Austria-Hungary
Germany
Italy
This strategic alliance was formed for the express
purpose of stopping Italy from attacking AustriaHungary in the event of war with Russia.
Europe in 1882
Choosing sides:
A History of Alliances
TREATY
Franco-Russian
DATE
COUNTRIES
1894-1917
France
Russia
This major lasting alliance was the Russian reaction to
The Triple Alliance.
Europe in 1894
Choosing sides:
A History of Alliances
TREATY
The Entente
Cordiale
DATE
COUNTRIES
1904-1918
France
Great Britain
This agreement between Great Britain and France was
more a sign of healing relations than an actual alliance.
The Triple Alliance powers took note.
Europe in 1904
Choosing sides:
A History of Alliances
TREATY
DATE
The Anglo1907-1917
Russian Entente
COUNTRIES
Russia
Great Britain
Great Britain and Russia, having settled their
differences, take this final step toward the Triple Entente.
Europe in 1914
Choosing sides:
A History of Alliances
TREATY
The Triple
Entente
DATE
COUNTRIES
1907-1917
Russia
Great Britain
France
This final alliance drew the lines for the war that would
follow. Germany's worst fears of encirclement were
realized and a two front war had been made a certainty.
Europe in 1907
Annexation:
Balkans
• June 28, 1914 -- Arch Duke Franz
Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophia
make plans to be in parade in Bosnian
capital, Sarajevo.
• Bosnia, on June 28, 1912, had won its
independence from the Ottoman Empire
that had controlled it since 1389, but
Austro-Hungary had tried to control it.
Assassination planned
• A nationalist, terrorist-esque group called
the Black Hand make plans to kill the Arch
Duke and his wife during the parade
• After crazy chain of events and
coincidences, 19 year-old Gavrilo Princip,
assassinates Franz Ferdinand and his wife.
Assassination:
The start
Archduke Francis Ferdinand visits Sarajevo and puts his life
in “God’s hands.” Gavrilo Princip fires two shots and kills
both Ferdinand and his wife. June 28th, 1914
News Hits!!! Incredible chain of
events ensue
• Austria demands that Serbia crack down on
all “anti-Austria” behavior -- Serbia refuses
• Austria declares war on Serbia.
• Germany gives Austria a “blank check”
support.
• Russia asks Austria to back down in support
of its, “Slavic” neighbor.
• Austria refuses, Russia begins to mobilize
for war
• Germany declares war on Russia
• Russia turns to France and asks for help-France grants Russia a “blank check”
• Germany declares war on France
• Italy and Great Britain are neutral for the
time being.
Declarations of War!
Excitement
for war
• People from all sides rush to enlist in their
respective armies
• artwork depicts fervor
• Professionals and college students drop
everything to enlist
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
• Back in Germany, General Alfred von
Schlieffen had devised a plan (just in case),
to avoid a two-front war.
• Von Schlieffen Plan: go through Belgium,
around France’s front line, and quickly take
control of France before the backwards
Russia could mobilize.
• August 3, 1914 -- Germany invades
Belgium and Great Britain declares war on
Germany
Trench Warfare
• Germans race through Belgium, (despite a
treaty to honor its neutrality), and into
France
• Russia mobilizes and quickly wins a few
small victories in East Prussia.
• Germany pulls troops from France to
defend its backside.
• Trenches are dug between France and
Germany that will barely move over the
course of four ugly years.
• 1800’s strategy takes on 20th century
technology.
• The result is carnage never seen before.
What about the Americans?
President Wilson issues a neutrality
proclamation. American economy
takes a leap with European war
orders.
Country
Britain
France
Germany
1914
$594,271,863
$159,818,924
$344,794,276
1916
$1,526,685,102
$ 626,851,988
$
288,899
How did the Americans get
involved?
Unterseeboot
(U-Boat)
How did the Americans get
involved?
Lusitania sunk
May 7th, 1915
1,198 lives
128 Americans
Arabic sunk
Aug. 15th, 1915
2 Americans
Sussex sunk
Germany issues
Sussex Agreement
The Zimmerman Note
Berlin, January 19, 1917
On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted.
In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United
States of America.
If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following
basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make
peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that
Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and
Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement....
You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the
greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak
of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico,
on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting
adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between
Germany and Japan.
Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment
of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make
peace in a few months.
Zimmerman
(Secretary of State)
How did the Americans get
involved?
Four American
merchant
ships are sunk
in March 1917.
Germany declares
unlimited U-Boat
Warfare.
Wilson asks congress for a declaration of war on April 2, 1917.
Men Killed in Battle
Russia:
1,700,000
Germany:
1,600,000
France:
1,385,000
Britain:
900,000
Austria:
800,000
Italy:
462,000
United States:
53,000
The end of the War
November 11, 1918
“The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”
Germany agrees to an armistice
Treaty of Versailles is signed 1919
The American congress refuses to sign
The Allied powers punish Germany
IS this already the start of WWII?
Trench warfare
Desolation of
battle fields
Hole from exploded
mines in 1916,
Battle of the Somme