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WORLD WAR I
5 May 2010
THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE Germany
Rapid industrialization and modernization after unification
Bismarck extends vote to all adult males weakens the middle-classes introduces socialist legislation to pre-empt
socialist politicians essentially an authoritarian regime
emperor at the helm Parliament/military filled with upper-middle-
class, aristocratic leaders brought a new balance of power to the
Continent strengthened the cause for imperial ventures
THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE
France French found new competition
with/second place power position to Germany difficult
Political and cultural conflicts develop, including the Paris Commune, another revolution
political division between monarchists and republicans on the national stage
THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE
Great Britain Increased suffrage by 1884
almost all males had the right to vote and could do so democratically
Had difficulty extending resources and infrastructure to the empire in both the isles and abroad
feared the growing economic strength of the U.S. and Germany in the late 19th Century
THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE
Russia and Austria-Hungary Both weakened by nationalism
very ethnically diverse empires Russia remained economically
“backwards” Stays authoritarianAlexander’s successors resist all
forms of social change Russia’s weakness (politically,
economically, militarily) exposed in Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05
Austro-Hungarian Empire deeply divided along ethnic lines
efforts to maintain empire by force in Balkans creates political tension in Russia that would have disastrous effects
The West Outside of Europe The United States
late 19th Century a period of dramatic economic/social growth
Immigrants poured into the country, fueling industrialization 40 million between 1880 and 1920
By 1900 is the world’s leading industrial power absence of government intervention and
immigration
The Concert of Europe
Established in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna Quadruple Alliance
Russia Prussia Austria Great Britain
Collective Defense
Metternich
Europe, 1815
Europe, 1900
The Arms Race
Wilhelm II and German aggression Realpolitik versus Weltpolitik
Global role for Germany Navy Empire Influence
Military Buildup The Navy
Wilhelm II models his fleet after Royal Navy
England develops new class of ships, “Dreadnought”
New Mobilization speeds France: 3 days Germany: 2 days
The Arms Race
Land forces Germany: 4, 800,000 men Britain: 380,000 men
Russia Rebuilds 1905 defeated by Japanese Refortification and new railways to the West
Between 1904 and 1913 French and Russian arms expenditures increase 80% German arms expenditures increase 120% Austro-Hungarian expenditures increase 50% Italian expenditures increase 100% Britain raises naval spending from $50 million in the
1870s to $130 million in 1900
“New Imperialism” and Crisis First Moroccan Crisis
Wilhelm II in Tangiers, March 1905 The Bosnian Crisis
Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary, October 1908
Serbia seeks aid from Russia, Austria-Hungary from Germany
Second Moroccan Crisis German “Panther” sent to port at Agadir, July
1911 Sparks fear in Britain, anger in France
France subsequently establishes a full protectorate over Morocco
Diplomacy and New Tensions
New Alliance Systems Three Emperors’ League,
1873 (A-H, R, G) Dual Alliance, 1879 (G, A-H) Triple Alliance, 1882
(+Italy) Strong ethnic ties between
Germany and Austria-Hungary
Italy wants territory in Greece, Turkey, and the Balkans
Entente Cordiale, 1904 Triple Entente, 1907
The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente
The Outbreak of War
Sarajevo, 28 June 1914 Austrian Crown Prince Assassinated by
Bosnian nationalist 28 July Austria-Hungary declares war on
Serbia Belgium, 4 August 1914
Tensions escalated by tensions with Russia over Austro-Serbian conflict
Preemptive Strike as Germans push to Paris
1914
Germany invades Belgium. Britain declares war on Germany. Russia Invades Prussia, 17-19 August New allies
Japan joins the Allied forces 23 August Turkey joins the Central Powers 29 October
War spreads to the seas Battle of the Marne, 6-10 September 1914
French push Germans back 45 miles Germans capture industrial North in France Marks the beginning of the trench deadlock
1915
Total War Women take up men's jobs.
Nurses, clerks, postal workers, government workers, auxiliary soldiers, police officers, bus and railway conductors
3 out of 4 munitions workers women Stalemate continues on the Western Front. London attacked from the air by German Zeppelins
Bombardments begin 19 January The Lusitania passenger liner is sunk, with 1,200 lives lost.
7 May American passengers aboard, creates diplomatic crisis between
US and Germany
1916
Conscription for men aged between 18 and 41 in Britain.
A million casualties in ten months: Germany aims to 'bleed France white'. Battle of Verdun, 21 February-July 1916
400,000 casualties on each side Battle of the Somme, 1 July-13 November
British and French attack on Germans Bombard the German line for one week with
1.6 million shells 20,000 British soldiers dead the first day; 60%
of the Officers involved that day die Total Losses: Britain, 420,000; France,
195,000; Germans, 650,000.
1916-1917
At sea the Battle of Jutland takes place. 31 May to 1 June Largest naval battle at that time No apparent victor
United States joins the war and assists the Allies. US declares war on Germany on 6 April First US troops land in France, 26 June
1917
Battle of Passchendaele, 31 July-6 November 1917 2 week bombardment, 4.5 million shells from 3,000
guns. Early august to 20 September: stalemate (weather) Casualties: Allied, 325,000; German, 260,000 Five-mile gain
German Army retreats to the Hindenburg Line. Tank, submarine and gas warfare intensifies.
1918
Germany launches major offensive on the Western Front. March 1918
Allies launch successful counter-offensives at the Marne and Amiens. 600,000 US troops cross Atlantic 355,000 British Reserves sent to Continent
Armistice signed on November 11, ending the war at 11am.