World War I“The War to End All Wars”

World War I Leaders

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• Count Alfred von Schieffen

• Otto von Bismarck

• Woodrow Wilson

World War I Leaders

• Kaiser Wilhelm II

• Tsar Nicolas II

World War I Leaders

• Gen. John J. Pershing

• David Llyod George

World War I Leaders

• Vittorio Orlando

• George Clemenceau

WWI Notables• Gavrilo Princip• The Black Hand• Lusitania• Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker• Sgt. Alvin York• Edith Bolling Galt Wilson• Ho Chi Minh• Bolsheviks• Henry Cabot Lodge

European Govts. in the 1900’s• England and France were democratic• Germany and Austria-Hungary were

authoritarian• Russia had a Czar (Tsar)• Socialism was attracting many poor people

– opposed nationalism– wanted to unite workers– wanted peace and arms reduction– wanted equality of people

• Radical socialists called for coup de etat

Characteristics of Europe

• very nationalistic

• willing to go to war to protect interests & honor

• industrialization & population increasing

• Demographic shift - rural to urban

• speed of change

• values/religion became less important

• democratic governments increased

• more people could vote (the poor)

• educating the masses was important

Characteristics of Europe

• wealth and power in the hands of the few

• many people were in poverty

• Poor people turn to unions & socialism

• raw materials in competition

• imperialism became common

• alliances & militarism increase

Crisis & Wars in Europe

• Austria-Hungary lost a war to France in 1848

• Austria-Hungary lost a war to Prussia in 1866

• Germany defeats France in the Franco-Prussian War(1870-1871)

• US defeats Spain in the Sp-Am War (1898)

• Jap defeats Russia in Rus-Jap War (1904-05)

• The “Pig War” between A-H & Serbia– economic war not military

Crisis & Wars in Europe

• Italy defeats Ottoman Empire in Tripolitanian War (1911)

• Balkan League defeats Ottoman Empire (Turkey) in the First Balkan War (1912)

• Serbia & Greece defeat Bulgaria in the Second Balkan War (1913)

• Arms race w/ countries following Germany’s large army & navy

• Armies size doubled from late 1800’s - early 1900’s

• Navies increased quickly Britian built Dreadnaught

Militarism

Imperialism

Nationalism

• Swept Europe from mid-late 1800’s

• Italy unified: 1861

• Germany unified: 1871

• France lost Alasace-Lorraine in 1871

• The Balkan Peninsula had nationalistic ethnic groups desiring their own country

Economic Competition

• Great Britain, France & Germany competing for colonies: natural resources

• See Africa and Asian map

World War I was all about the place of Germany in Europe

Alliances

France and Germany hated each other! When Germany became united country in 1870-1, France went to war to try to stop it … but got crushed!

Alliances

France also lost Alsace-Lorraine in 1870-1.The French never forgave the Germans. They wanted REVENGE.

Alliances

Germany’s BIG problem was that it was IN THE MIDDLE.

That made it VULNERABLE if it came to a war.

Alliances

Three Emperors’ League, 1881

In the 19th century, Germany’s brilliant Chancellor, Bismarck, solved this problem by keeping friends with RUSSIA and AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

Alliances

Triple Alliance, 1882

Then Bismarck allied with Italy and Austria-Hungary (the TRIPLE ALLIANCE). Together with his friendship with Russia, this kept Germany safe.

Alliances

But when Kaiser Wilhelm became Emperor, he dumped the Russian alliance. He kept the Triple Alliance, but this did NOT solve the problem of Germany’s encirclement.

Alliances

Franco-Russian Alliance, 1892

Instead, in 1892, Russia made an alliance with FRANCE.Although it was only a DEFENSIVE alliance, it was Germany’s worst nightmare!

Alliances

Webs of Alliances

There were many more alliances.

Alliances

Anglo-Japanese Naval Agreement, 1902

A very important one was the 1902 Anglo-Japanese naval alliance, which freed up Great Britain from protecting its Empire in the far east…

Alliances

Entente Cordiale, 1904

… which allowed Britain to make the Entente Cordiale (‘friendly relationship’) with France in 1904.

Alliances

Triple Entente, 1907

In 1907 Russia joined Britain and France to make the Triple Entente. So by 1914 Europe had divided into two massive superpower blocs. People thought this BALANCE OF POWER would keep the peace.

Alliances

The Balkans

But Russia was also allied to Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. When trouble erupted in the Balkans in 1914, the nations found their alliances dragged them into war…

Alliances

Austria-Hungary

• A dual monarchy - 11 ethnic groups• Austrians and Hungarians were the two largest

groups• Serbia wished for Serbians living in A-H to be

part of “Greater Serbia”• Black Hand created in Serbia - goal to unite all

Serbs• Gavrilo Princip kills Archduke Franz Ferdinand

& wife Sophia in Sarajevo

Funeral of Archduke Ferdinand

Chain of Events

1. Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand2. Austria-Hungary sends ultimatum to Serbia3. Serbia refuses ultimatum4. A-H declares war on Serbia after German

support5. Russia supports Serbia.6. Germany declares war on Russia7. France enters war to help Russia8. GB supports France after Germans march

through neutral Belgium

The Schlieffen Plan

Lusitania Sinks!

Sussex Pledge

• Wilson addressed Congress in April issuing an ultimatum to the Germans– “End the attack on unarmed ships or risk the severing

of diplomatic relations.” • Germany agreed to the "Sussex Pledge“ on 4

May • German submarine policy would:

– end the sinking of passenger ships – search merchant ships for contraband & save

passengers & crews before sinking merchant ships • German guarantees until announcing the

unrestricted sub warfare in Feb. 1917.

WWI Propaganda

WWI Propaganda

Doughboy