WWI

Europe 1871

Population – increasedTechnology – advancements in transportation

and communicationOccupation – new advancements = new jobsImmigration – 45 million had left Europe in

60 yearsWomen’s Suffrage – women wanted the right

to votePolitics – nations were stilled ruled a an elite

fewImperialism – race for colonies lead to

conflict

The world around 1900: Review

Effectively increased food output by 1/3rd

End Result?Explosive population growthFrom 1800 on the worlds population increased

6 foldFuelled by the 4 field crop rotation

Legumes and clover cultivated in otherwise fallow fieldsClover and excellent livestock crop… beef becomes

more plentiful

Agricultural Revolution 17th Century

What major historical event was made possible by the Agricultural Revolution?

Agricultural Revolution Impact

Fuelled by the massive population growthExtra people… what to do?

Migration to citiesMechanization in FactoriesSpinning Mule / Jenny 1764Britain led the pack because of its unique

geographic featuresEconomic historians are in agreement that the

onset of the Industrial Revolution is the most important event in the history of humanity since the domestication of animals and plants.

Industrial Revolution 1800-

Industrial Revolution3 innovations

Automation in textilesMetallurgySteam Power

Resulted in....

Industrial Revolution3 innovations

Automation in textilesMetallurgySteam Power

Resulted in....

Factories… the modern world… etc…

Imperialism, as defined by The Dictionary of Human Geography, is "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationship, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination."

Imperialism

Boer WarBritish versus Boers

(South Africa)Japan attacks China

– leads to conflict with Russia – Japan wins

Imperialism

Russo-Japanese War

Paradigm – a pattern of thought that has a strong influence on the way societies act

Conditions leading to war:1. all major European nations had military plans2. entry to war made by a few elite men3. radical changes of the time:

A. new nations aroseB. new technologies – explosives, railway, electric

motors, physics and chemistryC. hostile atmosphere – alliances and ethnic

tensionsD. public more literate = aware of new ideologies

International Paradigm:

Marxism: idea of a classless society – use of violence

Darwinism: the survival of the fittest

Four main causes of the Great War:

Imperialism – the policy to extend power (colonies)

- benefits: more land, spread religion, raw materials, conquer inferior people

- Britain and France lead the way – Germany began too late (upset) – USA expanding in the Pacific

Nationalism – loyalty/commitment to ones nation or people

1. Imperialism/Nationalism:

- Britain lead the way but Germany began to challenge

- Germany vs. Britain – economic competitors – Germany jumped ahead

- this will cause conflict

2. Economic Rivalry:

- the fear of other nations gaining an advantage lead to large scale armament programs

- Germany vs. Britain – naval race

3. Arms Race:

Alliance – a cooperation between nations – for security reasons

- Triple Alliance – Italy, Germany, and Austria-HungaryTriple Entente – Russia, France, Britain

**4. Alliances:

Triple Entente

Alliances:

Triple Alliance

Britain – foremost power in the world

Russia – large army – behind in

of industrialization

Major World Powers 1914:

France – falling behind other

nations – feared Germany

Germany – wanted to “flex

its muscles”

Major World Powers 1914

Lots of tension in the BalkansAH took over Bosnia and Herzegovina

Road to War:

Serbia set up the Balkans League – defeated the Turks

Serbia wanted to unite all Serbs – AH was worried (areas in AH had large Serb populations)

Balkans became known as “the powder keg ready to explode”

Road to War:

August 1914 – Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian youth (member of the Black Hand)

The Great War (World War One) First Steps:

AH sent an Ultimatum to SerbiaAH declares war on Serbia – Germany gives

AH a blank checkRussia agrees to help Serbia (protect their

interests in the Balkans)Germany declares war on RussiaGermany declares war on FranceBritain declares war on Germany – once they

enter Belgium

Europe 1914:

Russia wanted to extend their influence in the Balkans (protect their interests)

AH wanted areas in the Balkans (especially Serbia)

Germany wanted to break the Triple Entente – wanted to be powerful

Britain wanted to stay the dominate nationFrance was just scared of Germany

Reasons for war:

Schlieffen Plan (Germany)- an all out attack on France before Russia could attack from the East

War Raw Materials Board – ration all materials for the war effort

Auxiliary Service Law – all males 16-60 employed for the war

Military Plan:

Plan 17 (France) – to attack Alsace Lorraine (mineral area controlled by Germany)

The war was welcomed by both sides (enthusiasm, patriotism, nationalism) – everyone expected a short war

Propaganda was used by all sides – Propaganda: communication used at altering the attitudes of a society (posters were commonly used)

The Course of the War:

Germany crushed neutral Belgium (this brought in Britain)

Germany drove south into FranceMajor Battles – Battle of the Marne (saved

France – broke the Schlieffen Plan) – Ypres (gas warfare used)

Oct. 1914 – stalemate occurred – this lead to trench warfare

Western Front:

Area between the trenches – controlled by no one

No Man’s Land:

When soldiers left their trenches to cross over no man’s land

Over the top:

Trench Life:Trench foot: Rats, lice, dead

bodies, etc.

Germany vs. RussiaMajor Battles – Tannenburg – Russia lost

140,000 troops (killed, prisoners)Germany was successful – Russian army 1/3

of troops had no guns (use swords or pitchforks)

By 1917 – 3 million Russians had been killed or captured

Eastern Front:

The Tsar had problems ruling his empireTsar went to the front lines – left wife in

charge, directed by a monk Rasputin

Changes in Russia:

Strikes broke out in 1917 Tsar abdicated the throne (ran away)A provisional government was set up by

Kerensky

New ideologies arose – The Russian Socialists Party – communist (based on Marx)

Two sides emerged – both wanting power:1. Mensheviks – use peaceful means to take

control2. Bolsheviks – use violence - #1 point was to

get out of the war - lead by Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin)

The Bolsheviks took over the gov’t – they quickly sign the Brest-Litovsk Treaty (out of the war)

Bolsheviks introduced new ideas – no private ownership

Civil War breaks out – two sides:A. Red Army – Bolsheviks – lead by Trotsky –

supported by GermanyB. White Army – Allied supported** Red Army wins

Under Lenin Russia becomes known as the USSR – Union of Soviet Socialist Republic

Advancements:1. Machine Gun

Warfare During WWI:

2. Tanks (Willie)– introduced by the British – Battle of the Somme

3. Planes – used for reconnaissance (spy), bombing and dog fighting

4. U-Boats – submarines – used mainly by the Germans – used to cut off supply lines

5. Gas warfare – mustard gas

6. Role of Women – employed in the work force

When war broke out USA stayed neutral – made $ selling supplies

US was drawn into the conflict due to: Zimmerman Telegram and U-Boat warfare

1915 – Lusitania was sunk – 128 Americans killed – US threatens Germany

1917 – several US boats were sunk during German blockade of Britain

April 1917 US declares war on Germany

US enters the War:

Second Battle of the Marne – Allies push Germans back – Allies gain momentum

Battles at – Amiens, Ypres and Verdun push Germany to their border

Turning Point:

Several allies of Germany and AH bowed outGermany and AH ask Us president Wilson to

negotiate and armistice11th hour on November 11, 1918 Germany

surrenders (Remembrance day)

US becomes the economic power in the world – made big $ during the war

Europe is devastatedThe world was changed for ever (total war)

Outcomes:

30 nations are represented at the conference – USSR not invited

Results of the war:1. Lives lost – 9.7 military, 10 million civilian

and 21 million wounded

Paris Peace Conference – Treaty of Versailles (1919)

2. Cost of the war – 180 billion (direct) and 150 billion (indirect)

3. 4 Empires collapse- Germany, AH, Russia and Turkey (Ottoman)

4. Landscape of Europe ruined

5. many nations used up most of their resources6. industrialization increased in non-European

nations (Canada)

The hope was that this war would be “the war to end all wars”

Britain, France, USA and Italy made all the decisions at the conference – defeated nations were excluded (very odd)

USA (Wilson) stated that there were three main causes to the war:

1. secret diplomacy2. tendency of dominant nations to oppress others3. autocratic gov’ts

1. end all secret treaties2. freedom of the seas3. End economic barriers between nations4. Reduce arms

Wilson’s Fourteen Points:

5. redraw the map of Europe

6. set up the League of Nations

Germany had to:1. accept total blame for the war (war guilt)2. reparations $33 billion3. Lost 1/10 of their nation – new nations

arose4. lost her colonies5. limit their army/navy6.. Gave up coal areas to France7. Rhineland turned to demilitarized zone

Results of the Treaty:

8. Alscase-Lorriane given back to France

AH, Turkey, and Bulgaria were divided into new areas

New nations arose – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Czech and Poland – ethnic groups were split – will cause future problems

** the treaty was not good at all

Peace Treaty did not stabilize European politics:

1. great resentment in Germany2. Germany still had war making potential3.. Localized wars erupted – Poland vs. USSR4. Britain and France did not end alliances