Europe’s Great Powers
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, France, Ottoman Empire
Increased tension #1
between England and Germany, competition for material markets, and industrial dominance
Increased tension #2
between Austria-Hungary and Russia, competition for Balkans and intense national of Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians for independence
Increased tension #3
between France and Germany, competition for Alsace-Lorraine To Germany
Franco-Prussian war
- aka Franco-German war
- resulted in creation of unified Germany
- Otto Von Bismark saw war with France as opportunity to unite southern German states under Northern confederation
Treaty of Frankfurt
- Germany annexed Alsace-Lorraine from France
- France had to pay 5 billion francs and cover costs of German occupation of France’s northern provinces
- King Wilhelm proclaimed German emperor at Versailles
militarism
the policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war
effects of militarism
- create a greater sense of patriotism
- made citizens feel frightened
- prepared the world for war
Otto Von Bismark
- head of Prussian army
- believed France was the greatest threat because of loss in Franco-Prussian war
- Formed the triple alliance
Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
Triple Entente
Britain, France, Russia
Kaiser Wilhem II
- emperor of Germany
- wanted bismarck out
- eager to show how ‘mighty’ Germany was
- allowed treaty with Russia to expire
- Russia formed military alliance with France
- begins forming large fleet to compete with Britain
- Britain forms an alliance with France and Russia
Britains response to Kaiser Wilhelm II
Britain forms an alliance with France and Russia, Serbia allies with Triple Entente
“A Shot Rings Throughout Europe”
June 28th, 1914
- Archduke Francis Ferdinand and wife were murdered by Serbian nationalist
- Austria declares war on Serbia
CHAIN REACTION
- Russia (Serbia’s ally) moves toward Russian Austrian border
- Germany declares war on Russia
- Two days later Germany declares war on France
- Germany crosses neutral Belgium
- Due to the Schlieffen Plan Britain declares war on Germany
Schlieffen Plan
German troops would first race west to defeat France then quickly mobilize east to defeat Russia
bayonets
- used by all sides
- used primarily for toasting bread
- preparation of communal latrines
poisonous gas
- introduced by Germans
- caused blinding
- severe blisters
- death by choking
machine guns
- fire ammunition automatically
- wiped out waves of attackers
- difficult for forces to advance
- promoted stalemate
tank
- armored combat vehicle
- introduced by british
- brought back mobility to the western front
airplane
- 1st time planes used in combat role
- first used to take photographs of enemy lines
- used to drop bombs
submarine
- introduced by germans
- ‘unterseebooten’ - ‘u-boats’
- primary weapon- torpedo
- transport or shipments now dangerous
- major reason why united states enters war
United States enters the war
-1917
Why?
-May 7th, 1915 - German u-boat sinks British passenger ship Lusitania (2,000 british killed, 128 Americans killed)
January 1917
-Germany announces that their submarines would sink any ship in waters surrounding Britain (unrestricted submarine warfare)
Arthur Zimmerman
- German ambassador of Mexico
- sent message to Mexico to encourage attack on United States
USA in the war
- baseball helped Americans throw grenades
- provided motivation to french and british troops
- “big red one” - superior American regiment
total war
soon all european powers devoted all their resources to the war effort
World War 1 ends
November 11th, 1918
- 11th day, 11th month, 11th hour
- armistice day
winners of world war 1
England, France, USA, Italy, Japan
Losers of world war 1
Russia and Germany
Fourteen Points
- written by president Wilson
- end of secret treaties
- freedom of seas and trade
- reduce size of armies and navy
- promote peace throughout the world*
- self determination- the freedom to allow people to decide for themselves under what gov’t they want*
Treaty of Versailles
- agreement reached between allied powers and Germany
1. League of Nations - international peace organization (Germany and Russia excluded)
2. Territory - Germany returns Alsace-Lorraine to France, gives up all overseas colonies
3. War guilt - Germany forced to pay allies $33 billion in reparations for 30 years
4. Military restrictions - limit size of Germany army, Germany not allowedt to import/manufacture weapons, forbidden to have submarines and airforce
countries as a result of the Treaty of Versailles
- Austria
- Hungary
- Czechoslovakia
- Yugoslavia
- Poland