the great war unit 2 hush “the war to end all wars”????
TRANSCRIPT
The Great The Great WarWar
Unit 2
HUSH
“The War to End All Wars”????
Europe had seen almost 100 years of peace (1871 minor war)– Nobody could afford a war– There would be no winner– The growth of pacifism -war was a thing of the past –
“we were civilized”
– Business prevented any island from being isolated– Foreign investment was so large– Better communication, cheap newspapers– Better educated people
Europe Before the WarEurope Before the War
A modern Europe required a German state, but which lands would that involve?
The Germans hoped the French would accept the loss of Alsace-Lorraine– They were wrong!– Alsace had been part of the HRE but had been
French for over 200 years– Lorraine was wholly French in population
Modern EuropeModern Europe
1. Alliance System
2. Arms Build Up
3. Nationalism
All Roads Lead to War
AlliancesAlliances
The problem was that there was no means for
negotiating peace
Pre-WWI European AlliancesPre-WWI European Alliances 1879 Germany and
Austria signed the Dual Alliance
1879 The Three Emperors’ League created by Bismarck to keep Austria and Russia at peace– Germany - Kaiser William– Austria - Emperor Francis
Joseph– Russia - Tsar Alexander
1882 Triple Alliance - Germany, Austria, Italy
1887 Russia signs new treaty with Germany – Both stay neutral unless
Germany attacks France or Russia attacks Austria
1887 France signs a military alliance with Russia – aimed at Britain in the Mediterranean
1902 Britain signs the Anglo-Japanese Alliance
1904 Anglo-French Entente– Britain recognizes French
claims to Morocco– France recognizes British
claims to Egypt The Entente Cordiale 1904
– France and England
1905 - Russia defeated by Japan and loses credibility
– 1905 Failed revolution in Russia causes countrywide instability
– In 1908 Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina - Serbia could do nothing without Russian help
Russia and Austria made a deal for mutual prestige Austria took control of Bosnia Austria agreed with Russian control of the Dardanelles
– But Russian control of the Dardanelles was rejected
Serbia threatened to invade Bosnia to liberate the Serbs – Russia supported Serbia – Austria-Hungary threatened to destroy Serbia
Germany supported Austrian claims to Bosnia
Pre-WWI European Military Conflicts and Diplomatic Issues
Pre-WWI European Military Conflicts and Diplomatic Issues
Pre-WWI Alliances to Know for Test
Triple Alliance– Germany– Austria-Hungary– Italy
Triple Entente– Russia– France– Great Britain
Family FeudCzar
Nicholas II’s first cousin
was…
Kaiser Wilhelm II!
The Arms RaceThe Arms RaceThe Arms RaceThe Arms Race
By 1914:– Germany had the second largest navy - behind
Britain– Had pushed Britain closer to France and
Russia– Had wasted considerable money because the
fleet was bottled up for most of the war– If those resources had gone to the army
Germany would have won the war– 1890 German army was 20,000– 1913 German army was 800,000
Weapons of the Great WarWeapons of the Great War
1. Gun chiefly used as a psychological weapon
2. Usually not thought of as a weapon; used to separate the trenches and no-man’s land
3. Scary combination of fuel and fire creating 'sheets of flame‘; terrorized the British in 1915
4. Ancient weapon adopted in the trenches; used to lob shells into the enemies trench
Weapons of the Great WarWeapons of the Great War5. Quick-loading, and if water-cooled could
continually fire on the enemy
6. First used by the French and popularized by the Germans; used to kill or incapacitate large numbers of enemy troops
7. Invented by British to break through the trenches while being protected by enemy fire
8. Mammoth airships used by Germans to spy on and bomb the enemy
9.Originally used for observation; later in war “dogfights” occurred
1. Bayonet1. Bayonet
2. Barbed Wire2. Barbed Wire
3. Flamethrowers3. Flamethrowers
4. Mortars4. Mortars
5. Machine Gun5. Machine Gun
6. Poison and Mustard Gas6. Poison and Mustard Gas
7. Tanks7. Tanks
8. Zeppelins8. Zeppelins
9. Airplanes9. Airplanes
Weapons of the Great WarWeapons of the Great War1. Gun chiefly used as a psychological weapon
Bayonet2. Usually not thought of as a weapon; used to
separate the trenches and no-man’s landBarbed Wire
3. Scary combination of fuel and fire creating 'sheets of flame‘; terrorized the British in 1915
Flamethrower4. Ancient weapon adopted in the trenches; used to
lob shells into the enemies trenchMortars
Weapons of the Great WarWeapons of the Great War5. Quick-loading, and if water-cooled could continually
fire on the enemyMachine Gun
6. First used by the French and popularized by the Germans; used to kill or incapacitate large numbers of enemy troops
Mustard/Poison Gas7. Invented by British to break through the trenches while
being protected by enemy fireTanks
8. Mammoth airships used by Germans to spy on and bomb the enemy
Zeppelins9.Originally used for observation; later in war “dogfights”
occurred Airplanes (Bi-Planes)
NationalismNationalism
1900 there were 25 sovereign states in Europe– Each nation believed it should have its own state – None would admit to a higher authority – Patriotic literature motivated people “my country,
right or wrong”– Alliances created states less willing to compromise
There was a huge build up in armament after the Franco-Prussian War– France wanted Alsace-Lorraine returned– Italy wanted Austrian land
European NationalismEuropean Nationalism
There were also 4 independent in Eastern Europe countries:– Serbia, Montenegro, Rumania, Greece
They all shared 2 traits:– hatred of the Turks– the ability to be friends with Great Powers
However, the conflicts in the Balkans led to three regional wars – the Third Balkan War became World War I
European NationalismEuropean Nationalism
Germany - won the Franco-Prussian war, gained Alsace and Lorraine, wanted to isolate France, economic stability, led by the Iron Chancellor Bismarck, little interest in colonialism, unified.
France - lost Alsace and Lorraine, weak military, imperialistic in Asia and Africa.
Great Britain - “splendid isolation”, colonial conflicts with France and Russia
European countries controlled the world
Austria - wanted to limit Slavic nationalism on southern border and hostile nationalism within the borders
Russia - very imperialistic throughout the century – but overland: in the Balkans; disputes with Austria over Slavs; Ottomans; Japanese
Italy - interest in North Africa led to disputes with France.
The Balkans - a politically unstable region comprised of many ethnic groups. Mostly Christian.
*United States - not involved in global affairs YET!
““The lights go out. . .”The lights go out. . .”
The Date….June 28, 1914
Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne visit Sarajevo, Bosnia on Serbian Independence Day
He and his wife are assassinated in Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip– Princip was a member
of The Union or Death (Black Hand)
This was the spark that ignited the Balkan “powder keg”
The deaths were the excuse for Austria to move against Serbia– Austria demanded Serbia meet their demands– July 6 1914 Germany promised to help
Austria in the event of war - the “blank check”
The “Spark” of War is LitThe “Spark” of War is Lit
Austria declared war on Serbia Russia mobilized troops against Austria
– Was determined to support Serbia Russia declares war against the Austria-Hungary Austria mobilized against Russia Germany declares war on Russia, France, invades neutral
Belgium
Most Europeans believed it would be a short and decisive war
The War BeginsThe War Begins
British Foreign Secretary Grey said:“The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall never see them lit again in our lifetime”
The German Plan On August 14, 1914, the German army invaded
Belgium on their way to France with the Schlieffen Plan.
France must be taken before the Russians could fully mobilize and invade Germany.
Germany felt they could defeat France in two months or less, then turn their full attention to Russia.
“Gallant Little
Belgium”
The British Join the WarThe British Join the War The invasion of neutral Belgium triggered the
British to enter the war They declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914 All the Great Powers had now entered the war
– The results would be devastating
WWI ALLIANCESWWI ALLIANCES
Central Powers Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Romania
Allied Powers Russia France Great Britain Italy Greece United States
The Western FrontThe Western Front The Western Front was the name the Germans
gave to a series of trenches that ran 700 kilometers from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border.
Both sides dug in….trenches were constructed and were used during the entire war
The Western
Front
The Western
Front
No Man’s Land
The Eastern Front In the east, the Russians were soundly defeated on
August 30,1914, at the Battle of Tannenberg. This battle was a German victory early in World War I over
Russia. – Russians lost over 1 million people many of whom
were civilians.
– After the Germans took about 90,000 prisoners, the Russian General killed himself, and his remaining men were forced to retreat.
The Germans outran their supplies and although battered, Russia stayed in the war causing Germany to fight on two fronts.
Russian prisoners
after defeat in East
Prussia, 1915
Germany begins Zeppelin air raids of Britain
Germany declares submarine blockade of Great Britain
Germans use first chemical weapons in the Second Battle of Ypres.
HMS Lusitania sunk—124 Americans killed
Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
Battle of Verdun– Draw– ~1 million casualties
Battle of Jutland,– Only major naval engagement of the war– No clear winner
Battle of the Somme– Allied breakthrough– ~1 million casualties
In U.S., Woodrow Wilson re-elected
Germany declares unrestricted (U-Boat) submarine warfare
British release Zimmerman Note– A newspaper report on an intercepted telegram
from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the government of Mexico, proposing a German-Mexican alliance
– Was proved to be a fake
Czar Nicholas abdicates and government falls in Russia
In December, new Russian government signs armistice with Germany
The Legacy of War In Russia July 16, 1918 the Czar and his family are
massacred by Bolsheviks
The room where the Romanov dynasty came to its bloody end
Treaty of Brest-LitovskTreaty of Brest-Litovsk Ended war for Russia
– Forced by the liberals in Russia– Bolsheviks gain power
Russia loses:– Poland, Ukraine, Finland, Baltic Provinces – – 34% of Russia’s population– 89% coal mines– 32% farmland– 54% industry
The United States The United States America was sympathetic to the Allies
– Close ties to Britain– Trading partner– Common language and culture– Anti-German feelings grew
President Wilson was a isolationist AND a pacifist but this soon changed– The Lusitania– Germany’s resumption of unrestricted submarine
warfare
Berlin, January 19, 1917 The Zimmerman Note
To the German Minister to Mexico We [Germany] intend to begin on the 1st of February
unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.... Inform the President [of Mexico] of the above most secretly.... Please call the [Mexican] Presidentís attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace.
American doughboys
Bring on the Yanks!!!
The year 1917, didn't look good for the allies; much of the French army had mutinied, and British forces were suffering severe casualties.
But German lack of diplomacy and common sense, turned the tides and brought the United States into the war on April 6, 1917.
Fresh, well supplied and equipped American troops made the difference and uplifted Allied morale.
The United States Enters the War
The United States Enters the War
US War Posters
U.S. troops began to arrive in June, 1917 British and U.S. navies combined forces, and
formed convoys to counter U-boats The combined forces stop German advances,
heavy casualties to the 270,000 U.S. troops By end of summer, over 1 million
Americans are in Europe
The American Expeditionary Force When the USA declared war in April 1917, Wilson sent the
American Expeditionary Force (AEF) under the command of General John Pershing to the Western Front.
The Selective Service Act was quickly passed by Congress. – The law authorized President Wilson to raise a volunteer
infantry force of not more than four divisions. – All males between the ages of 21 and 30 were required to
register for military service. – By 12th September 1918, 23,908,566 men had registered.– Around 4,000,000 men were ultimately drafted into the
armed services. – Of these, 50 per cent served overseas during the war.
General John “Blackjack” Pershing
In 1917 Pershing was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe.
His belief that his fit, fresh troops could break the deadlock on the Western Front had to be revised in the first-half of 1918.
However, he won praise for his excellent victory at St Mihiel in September, 1918.
Americans in Paris (and the rest of France)
By July 1918 there were over a million US soldiers in France.
Pershing deployed US troops to help the French defend the Western Front during the 3rd Battle of the Aisne in May and at the Marne in June.
US troops also took part in the Allied attacks at Le Hamel and Canal du Nord before Pershing launched his own offensive at St Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne.
Eddie Rickenbacker Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was an
American fighting ace He won the French Croix de Guerre, in
May by shooting down five German airplanes and was named commander of the 94th, the "Hat-in-the-Ring" Squadron, on September 24.
The following day, Eddie shot down two more German airplanes, victories for which the U.S. government awarded him a belated Congressional Medal of Honor in 1930.
His twenty-sixth confirmed victory occurred on October 30, and the last victory (the 69th) for the 94th occurred on November 10, 1918.
World War I ended the next day.
Alvin York Alvin York was a religious young
man who filed as a conscientious objector of war with his local Tennessee draft board– He was turned down by and
was sent to the Western Front York impressed the regular army
officers with his ability to use a gun. – Shot accurately at ranges of
200, 300 and 500 yards. Struggled with the moral issue of killing human beings, and refused to shoot at human silhouettes (targets).
Alvin York At the battle of the
Argonne Forest in the fall of 1918, as a member of the 82nd division, he killed 25 Germans, knocked out 35 machine guns, and captured 132 prisoners almost single-handed.
Received the French Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre, the Italian Groce de Guerra and the American Medal of Honor.
Sir, I am doing wrong. Practicing to kill people is against my religion."
-York, speaking of target practice at human silhouettes.
"What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe."
-Marshall Ferdinand Foch, on York's feat in the Argonne.
"This uniform ain't for sale." -York, on demands for his endorsement.
"It's over; let's just forget about it." -York's modesty about the event that
brought him the Medal of Honor.
Germany completely fails to stop US soldiers being moved across the Atlantic.
Second Battle of the Marne, a desperate final push by Germany; limited success.
Massive Allied attack breaks through the Hindenburg line.
.
Germany Surrenders During 1918, things also were bad at home for the
German people. – Germany had succumbed to overstretch; they could
afford a three year war but not a four year war. – Germany had used up its moral capital, it was out of
food, and industry could no longer keep up with war demands.
The shock of defeat and hunger sparked a revolution that forced the Kaiser to abdicate.
Armistice Day Americans help France lead last offensive
– Cut off German communication and supply lines
By early November, Bulgaria, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire sign armistice
Germany signs at 11:00, on November 11 at 11:00am– 11/11/1918 @ 11am
5 million allied troops, 3 million Germans, 116,000 Americans killed, with over 200,000 wounded or missing
Causes of WWI
Indirect– Alliances– Nationalism– Arms Build-up– Imperialism
Direct Causes– The assassination of
Archduke Franz-Ferdinand
– Unrestricted submarine/U-boat warfare
The Big Four•In 1919, the Big 4 met in Paris to negotiate the Treaty
•David Lloyd George of Britain,
•Vittorio Emanuele Orlando of Italy,
•Georges Clemenceau of France
•Woodrow Wilson of the U.S
Germany and the Big Four met in Paris at the Palace of Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors– The process was
controlled by Britain, France, Italy, US
– Russia was not invited
The Versailles TreatyThe Versailles Treaty
Allies wanted to punish Germany Treaty included:
– Allies would occupy Germany for 15 years– Germany had to renounce the Treaty of Brest-
Litovsk– Germany lost her colonies and France regained
Alsace-Lorraine– Germany had to pay for the damage done
President Wilson wanted prevent future wars– Came up with diplomatic way to end future
disagreements
Germany takes the BlameGermany takes the Blame
President Wilson Wilson outlined his 14 Points
as a plan for world peace Hoped to resolve international
conflicts– Instrumental part of the Treaty
of Versailles– Part of the treaty that formed the
League of Nations
The Fourteen Points1. Open Covenants2. Freedom of Navigation3. Trade Equality—
removal of economic barriers
4. Lower armaments5. Reduce colonial claims6. Russian autonomy 7. Restoration of Belgium8. France gets back
Alsace-Lorraine
9. Readjust Italy’s borders
10. Austro-Hungarian autonomy
11. Independence for the Balkan states
12. Free Turkey, open Dardanelles for passage
13. Independent Poland14. “A general association
of nations”
Woodrow Wilson
Wilson had a difficult time convincing the other three leaders to accept his idea of peace without victory.
He was forced to agree that Germany had caused the war.
The Treaty is Signed Germany and the Allies signed the Treaty of
Versailles on June 18,1919. Germany was expecting less blame
– Clause 231 (War guilt clause)– The dictated peace only served to anger Germans and
encourage German hostility– They felt betrayed and denounced the treaty– They believed the war ended in a stalemate not a
defeat
U.S. refused to sign - Senate believed they would lose the power to declare war
Woodrow Wilson:“Winner” or “Loser”?
Winner– Wilson was incredibly popular in Europe during the peace
talks– His visions for a new world order widely accepted by the
general public– He thought the punishments on Germany were too harsh,
but went along to save the treaty
Loser– Fails to convince U.S. Senate to ratify the treaty– United States fails to join the League of Nations– Once again the US isolates itself from much of the world
The Death of Wilson While fighting for the treaty back home,
he collapses from exhaustion Days later, he has a stroke, and is left half
paralyzed--must communicate through his wife
Dies in 1924, bitter about his failure to get U.S. to join the League of Nations
“I am proud to remember that I had the honor of being the commander in chief of the
most ideal army that was ever thrown together”
Legacies of WWI1. The principle that nations have a right to political self-
determination was established.2. The republic replaced the (constitutional) monarchy as the
standard type of government.3. The social fabric changed as women were granted the right to
vote in the countries of northern and central Europe, and the Social Democratic parties were able to form or join the government in some countries.
4. The harsh peace conditions enforced at Versailles caused rejection in the defeated countries and enforced the hatred between nations, such as between the Germans and the French.
5. The European nations were heavily indebted to American banks. This debt would involve Europe in the Great Depression in 1929.
Legacies of WWI7. In the world economy, Europe lost the leading position to the
United States.8. Russia - the USSR - isolated itself from the rest of the world. 9. Warfare had changed; tanks and airplanes would play a more
important role in future wars. 10.Science had changed, especially the chemical industry had been
given a big boost and the research for synthetic replacements of natural products
11.The world's dependency on critical natural resources, such as oil became apparent, and would only increase in the future
12.In many states of Europe, the rule of law and order was threatened by politically motivated violence, state authorities could not or did not want to stop.
Another “Legacy” of WWI
The Spanish Flu of 1918-19– Killed more people than the Great War– The conditions in 1918 were not so far
removed from the Black Death in the era of the bubonic plague of the Middle Ages.
– Between 20 and 40 million people died. • An estimated 43,000 US servicemen
mobilized for WWI died of influenza• Of the U.S. soldiers who died in Europe,
half of them fell to the influenza virus and not to the enemy
“The War to End All Wars”????