The Great War

Causes

Nationalism:Europe Faces Revolutions

Chapter 8, Sections 2

Government Philosophies• Conservative: usually wealthy property owners and nobility.

They argued for protecting the traditional monarchies of Europe.

• Liberal: mostly middle-class business leaders and merchants. They wanted to give more power to elected parliaments, but only the educated and landowners would vote.

• Radical: favored drastic change to extend democracy to all people. They believed that governments should practice the ideals of the French Revolution—liberty, equality, and brotherhood.

Nationalism Develops• Out of the debate over governmental philosophies,

nationalism developed.• Nationalism: belief that people’s greatest loyalty

should not be to a king or an empire but to a nation of people who share a common culture and history.

• Nation-states developed as countries in Europe created independent governments.– Defended territory and way of life– Represents the nation to the rest of the world– 1815, only France, England, and Spain were nation-states

(in Europe)

Nationalism

Positive Results Negative Results

People within a nation overcoming their differences for the common good

Forced assimilation (blending) of minority cultures into a nation’s majority culture

The overthrow of colonial rule Ethnic cleansing, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s

Democratic governments in nations throughout the world

The rise of extreme nationalistic movements, such as Nazism

Competition among nations spurring scientific and technological advances

Competition between nations leading to warfare

Greeks Gain Independence

• Ottoman Empire controlled most of the Balkan region.

• Greeks fought for independence with nationalist motivation

• Europe supported Greek independence and helped them win.

More Nationalistic Revolutions

• Belgium – declared independence from Dutch rule in 1830

• Italy – unification attempt (revolt against Austrian, Papal, and independent rule)

• Poland – revolt against Russia• Austria – Metternich (Congress of Vienna)

resigned, Liberal revolts throughout Austria.• France – Third Republic moderate constitution

called for a parliament and strong president

Reform in Russia

• Russia is not industrialized (still under feudal system) was not economically advanced.

• Alexander II, Czar of Russia, moved Russia towards modernization and social change.– 1861 Freed the serfs (twisted fate) but still tied to

the land• Alexander III encouraged industrialization to

expand Russia’s power.

Comprehension Check

• 1. True or False: Conservatives wanted to protect the ideals of the French Revolution—liberty, equality, and brotherhood.

• 2. True or False: Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in the early 1800s.

• 3. Define Nationalism in your own words.• 4. Give one positive result of nationalism.• 5. Give one negative result of nationalism.

Nationalism Case Study:Italy and Germany

Chapter 8, Section 3

Nationalism: Unity or Disunity?

• People believed a single “nationality” (ancestry or culture) should unite under a single government.– How could this idea of nationalism unite or separate a

country or people?

Nationalism Shakes Empires

• Austrian Empire– VERY diverse kingdom– Austria-Hungary Empire, separate nations, but ruled by

same government• Russian Empire– Russification: imposed Russian culture on all the ethnic

groups fueled nationalist feelings and helped to separate Russia

• Ottoman Empire– Broke apart after WWI– Armenian genocide

Case Study: Italy

• Camillo di Cavour: Sardinia’s Prime Minister– His goal was to unify Italy under the rule of the kingdom of

Sardinia. – Used the help of France to gain control of Northern Italy

from Austria.– Refer to textbook page 260: “Unification of Itay, 1858-1870”

• Giuseppe Garibaldi: led an army of nationalists through Sicily to take over control & unite Italy– Gave authority to Sardinia to rule Sicily and unite Italy

completely.

Case Study: Germany

• Prussia leads German unification.– Prussia had a majority of Germans—nationalism

worked in their favor.– Strong army to control militarily.

• Otto von Bismarck was Wilhelm I’s Prime minister of Prussia – realpolitik = “politics of reality”– “It is not by means of speeches and majority

resolutions that the great issues of the day will be decided—that was the great mistake of 1848 and 1849—but by blood and iron” (WARFARE)

Otto von Bismarck

Realpolitiks of Bismarck

• Bismarck was clever at staging events that would ultimately make Prussia stronger or Germans more nationalistic.

• Example: Franco-Prussian War– Bismarck said the French ambassador had insulted the

Prussian king.– France declared war on Prussia in retaliation.– Siege of Paris until French surrender.– Victory was the final stage of German unification– Wilhelm I declared Kaiser Wilhelm in 1871—the ruler of the

Second Reich of Germany.

Comprehension Check

• 1. True or False: The wide diversity of Austria created nationalistic feelings that helped to unify the country.

• 2. True or False: Russification was the process of imposing Russian culture on ethnic minorities.

• 3. Who helped Cavour unify Italy under the Sardinian kingdom?

• 4. What country led the unification of Germany?• 5. Who was the Prime Minister of Prussia?

Imperialism

Chapter 11, Sections 1 & 2

Imperialism in Africa

• Why Africa?– Europeans believe they were superior—

nationalistic pride. • Wanted to bring progress to “less advanced” countries.

– Last “frontier” of the world for Europeans to plant flags and claim land for their country.

Case Study: Nigeria

• Gaining Control: diplomatic and military means– Local rulers agreed to sign treaties– Others opposed foreign rule & rebelled

• Management: Govern & control the people– 3 major ethnic groups: Huasa-Fulai, Igbo, and Yoruba

• Indirect means of management through controlling tribal leaders some chiefs resented having their power limited

African Resistance

• Did Africans have the ability to fight colonization? (Not really…)– Europeans had superior weapons– Most Resistance movements failed, EXCEPT Ethiopia…

• Ethiopian Resistance – Menelik II– Stockpiled modern weapons– Ethiopia named as protectorate by Italians, but Menelik

II did not agree– Battle of Adowa: defeated Italians and kept the nation

of Ethiopia INDEPENDENT.

Legacy of Colonial Rule

• Negative– Africans lost control of their land– Africans suffered a break down in cultural traditions– Tribal warfare, disputes over control of lands, and

fights for power occurred after Europeans pulled out of Africa

• Positive– Humanitarian efforts improved living conditions in

Africa– Economic growth for Europeans

Consequences of Imperialism

• Europeans were constantly fighting for rights to colonies and resources. Some countries almost at war over colonies..– Distrusted each other and rivalries became to

develop very deeply• Mistrust caused European countries to

stockpile arms, but that discussion is for another day…

Comprehension Check

• 1. What was one of the reasons Europeans colonized Africa?

• 2. True or False: Europeans never used military forced to colonize and control Africa.

• 3. If you were the chief of an African tribe, how would you feel about giving up your power to Europeans?

• 4. What African nation fought for independence against Italy?

• 5. Was Ethiopia successful in its attempt to resist European rule?

The Great War

1914-1918Chapter 13

Marching Towards War

Section 1

Militarism

• The nations of Europe believed that to be truly great, they needed to have a powerful military.

• Competition from Imperialism building up armies and weaponry to defend territories

• GOAL: Quick mobilization (organize & move troops) in case of war

• Militarism: term for all of the above or the emphasis of keeping the military ready for war

“Powder Keg”• Organizing and preparing for war made

countries anxious to use their militaries…• “The entire able-bodied population are

preparing to massacre one another; though no one wants to attack, an everybody protests his love of peace and determination to maintain it, yet the whole world feels that it only requires some unforeseen incident, some unpreventable accident, for the park to fall in a flash…and blow all Europe sky-high.”

Alliances

• Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy– Bismarck wanted to leave France with no allies,

allied with Austria-Hungary and Russia, then Italy joined.

– When Kaiser Wilhelm II forced Bismarck to resign, treaty with Russia ended, and Russia jumped ship.

• Triple Entente: Russia, France, and Great Britain– Russia joining France would force Germany to fight

a “two front” war (east and west)

Crisis in the Balkans

• Balkans = “powder keg of Europe• Ethnic groups broke away from Ottoman

control, creating chaos and new countries• Austria and Serbia fighting for control of Slavic

groups = TENSION– Nationalism causes a lot of troubles in the Balkan

region of Europe

It Only Takes a Spark

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand takes the throne of Austria-Hungary in 1914.

• Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, shot the Archduke and his wife, Sophie, at point blank range.– Black Hand wanted to rid rule of Slavs by Austria-

Hungary.• Austria declared war on July 28, 1914.• Blood and Iron settle disputes, not

negotiations…

Comprehension Check

• 1. What was the goal of European countries when they readied their militaries?

• 2. True or False: The Triple Alliance included the countries of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy.

• 3. True or False: The Triple Entente included the countries of Russia, Great Britain, and France.

• 4. True or False: Gavrilo Princip shot Otto van Bismarck.

• 5. True or False: Serbia declared war on Austria-Hungary on July 28, 1914.

Europe Plunges into War

Section 2

Chain Reaction

• Austria declares war on Serbia…• Russia moves its army to the Russia-Austria

border & German border…• Germany declares war on Russia & France…• Great Britain declares war on Germany.• Central Powers (Germany & Austria) versus

Allies (Great Britain, France, and Russia)• Most people thought the war would be short.

Bloody Stalemate

• Western Front = northern France; major stalemate• Germany’s strategy = Schlieffen Plan: Germans

would attack France in the west and rush to east to attack Russia. – Felt it would work because Russia lagged behind the rest

of Europe in railroads and supplying frontlines.• Just when it seemed like a German victory in Paris…

Battle of the Marne = German retreat– Battle of the Marne marked the collapse of the

Schlieffen Plan

Western Front

• Battle of the Marne defeated the Schlieffen Plan. – Germans could not win a quick victory in the west.

• Trench Warfare – large loss of life for small gains in land and victory– “Slept in mud, washed in mud, ate mud, and dreamed

mud”, rats, no food, sleep was impossible– “No Man’s Land” – bombed out patches of land between

trenches; filled with mines and barbed wire

Eastern Front

• Russia was not industrialized like many European countries. – This made it hard for Russia to supply troops with

necessities.– Short on food, guns, ammunition, clothes, boots,

and blankets = Necessities!– Numbers in Russian army helped Allies because

Germany had to divide its numbers between east and west

New Weapons of War

• Poison Gas – soldiers wore gas masks; introduced by Germans; blinded, severe blisters, death by choking

• Machine Gun – automatically fires ammunition; made it difficult to advance

• Tank – armored combat vehicle, could travel over different terrain

• Submarine – underwater warship that launched torpedoes

• Plane Warfare – Ace pilots, dropped bombs

Comprehension Check

• 1. Name one new weapon of war.• 2. What battle defeated Germany’s Schlieffen

plan?• 3. True or False: Russia had a hard time supplying

troops because they were not industrialized. • 4. What was the Schlieffen plan? • 5. True or False: Most people in Europe were

prepared for the war to be long.

A Global Conflict

Section 3

U.S. Enters the War• Sinking of the Lusitania – May 7, 1915– British cruise liner—Americans on board– hit by a U-boat = German submarine

• 1917, Germany policy of unrestricted Submarine Warfare– Sank 3 more American ships– Naval blockade of Great Britain

• Zimmerman Telegram – To Mexico from Germany– “Reconquer” land Mexico lost to US, if Mexico would ally

itself with Central Powers

War Affects the Home Front

• Total War – all resources devoted to the war– Governments told manufacturers what to produce

• mostly ammunition, every person put to work– Rationing: goods in short supply, could only buy small

amounts of items needed for war• Food, shoe leather, metal, etc.

– Propaganda: Government tried to stop anti-war activity• Censoring news about war• Advertisements made to keep up morale and support for the

war

Propaganda

Allies Win the War

• Russia withdraws – Stalin, communist dictator, offers a truce with Germany

• Central Powers collapse – Germany tried to put all its forces on the Western front and take Paris, but it failed because the supplies and men were exhausted.

• November 9, 1918 – Kaiser Wilhelm II stepped down and Germany was made a republic

• 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month, 1918 – Armistice Day = Veteran’s Day Holiday (11/11/1918)

Legacy of WWI

• New technologies• Idea of war on a global scale• Almost an entire generation of Europeans

wiped out – civilians’ and soldiers’ death• Economic impact -- $338 billion dollar cost• Disillusionment about society• Anger and resentment over peace treaties

Comprehension Check 13-3

• 1. True or False: World War I was only fought by countries in Europe.

• 2. True or False: Governments asked citizens to ration in order to help the war effort.

• 3. True or False: Propaganda was used by the government to protest the war and urge anti-war movements.

• 4. Why is November 11, 1918 important and celebrated as a holiday?

• 5. List ONE of the legacies of WWI.

A Flawed Peace

Section 4

Debating Peace

• The Big Four: made most of the decisions– U.S. – Woodrow Wilson, President– France – Georges Clemenceau– Great Britain – David Lloyd George– Italy – Vittorio Orlando– Where’s Russia? Russian Revolution caused chaos;

therefore, no representative.

Fourteen Points

• Wilson’s plan for achieving and maintaining peace in the world… Self-Determination– No secret treaties– Freedom of the Seas– Free trade– Reduced national armies and navies– Adjustment of colonial claims & fair treatment of colonists– “General Association of Nations” = League of Nations

(much like United Nations today)• Peacefully negotiate solutions to world conflicts

Treaty of Versailles

• Great Britain & France wanted to weaken Germany. How?– Germany lost A LOT of territory, restrictions on

military operations– Blamed Germany for WWI = pay $$ to the Allies

for reparation ($33 billion, to be exact) – Caused bitterness and betrayal among the

countries involved in WWI (winners and losers)

New Nations Created

• Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Empire) lost huge amounts of land

• Austria-Hungary Empire = Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia

• Ottoman Empire only retained Turkey• Poland and Romania gained land from Russia– Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania carved out of Russia

“A Peace Built on Quicksand”

• Treaty did little to build a lasting peace• United States rejected the Treaty of Versailles– Americans did not like Wilson’s League of Nations– Americans felt the US’s best hope for peace was to stay

out of European affairs• “War guilt” clause caused bitterness and resentment• Peace treaties were not upheld• These things not being resolved led to World War II…

Treaty of VersaillesThe Treaty of Versailles: Major Provisions

League of Nations Territorial Losses Military Restrictions War Guilt

•International peace organization; enemy and neutral nations initially excluded•Germany and Russia excluded

•Germany returns Alsace-Lorraine to France; French border extended to west bank of Rhine River•Germany surrenders all its overseas colonies in Africa and the Pacific

•Limits set on size of German army•Germany prohibited from important or manufacturing weapons or war material•Germany forbidden to build or buy submarines or have an air force

•Sole responsibility for war placed on Germany•Germany forced to pay Allies $33 billion in reparations over 30 years

Comprehension Check 13-4

• 1. True or False: George Clemenceau proposed the Fourteen Points and League of Nations.

• 2. True or False: The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I.

• 3. True or False: Austria-Hungary was blamed for starting WWI and forced to pay Allies.

• 4. True or False: Germany did not lose any of its territory after WWI.

• 5. True or False: The Treaty of Versailles did not create lasting peace.