Franco-Prussia War Creates the Second Reich (Imperial Germany) France loses the Alsace-Lorraine and wants the territory returned.

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1 World War I Outline Europe before the War Franco-Prussia War Creates the Second Reich (Imperial Germany) France loses the Alsace-Lorraine and wants the territory returned. System of Alliances Reinsurance Treaty German alliance with Russia to avoid a twofront war Dual Alliance Germany and Austria-Hungary Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungry, Italy (GAI); Not the Allies but members of the original Central Powers; Italy will leave this alliance in 1915 Entente Cordial France and Russia join in a military alliance Triple Entente France, Russia and Great Britain to curb growing German military power (FRE) Forces contributing to mounting tension in Europe Militarism aggressive preparation for war, build up for global warfare (arms race), war is romanticized. Industrial Competition - Great Britain and Germany compete for European markets. Colonial Conflicts (Imperialism) 1898, Britain and France clash over Egypt and the Sudan; Resolved by agreement of British retain interest in Egypt while France maintained interests in Morocco. 1899, Britain clashed with the Boers in South Africa, which led to the Boer War. 1907, Britain and Russia clash over Persia (Iran) Resolved by dividing Persia into two spheres of influence , Bosnian Crisis; Austro-Russian tension

2 The Outbreak of War- mounts; the Balkans are the powder keg of Europe where there has been 400 years of ethnic and political conflict 1911, Second Moroccan crisis , First and second Balkan wars. Nationalism strong devotion to oneʼs country, without concern of moral and political implications System of Alliances--were strengthened by each of the above crises. The balance of power was so perfect that the secondary countries were a liability to each alliance. Sarajevo Assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife by a Bosnian terrorist Gavrillo Princip member of the Black Hand Escalation and Mobilization To their request, Germany grants Austria a "blank check." Austria-Hungaryʼs Ultimatum demands on Serbia or Serbia will be punished Russia and France back Serbia. Austria-Hungry declares war on Serbia When Russia mobilizes (act of war), Germany declares war on Russia and France Schlieffen Plan- In a two front war, Germany attacks France in the West before Russia in the East. To invade France, Germany invades Belgium. The German Attack Belgium refuses to allow German troops to pass through their country; therefore, Britain declares war on Germany. It takes two weeks for the Germans cross through Belgium. The advance to Paris was stopped at the Marne. Germans knew that the war on The Western Front will not be quick. The Allies and Central Powers The Allies France Russia Great Britain includes troops from India, Africa, Canada

3 and Australia Italy (1915) United States (1917) The Central Powers Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire (1915) 1914 The Western Front The Allied Head Commander was Marshal Foch. Trench Warfare (war becomes immobile, fighting in a concentrated area) Vast system of deep trenches dug in zigzag pattern by both Allied and Central Powers. They are separated by no manʼs land. (in virtually the same position for 4 years) New Weapons Poison gas Machine guns Long range artillery Tanks Airplanes Submarines Attrocities Both sides justified by the use of harsh tactics to achieve military goals. Vast numbers of civilians will die, increased by disease and starvation. The killing is indiscriminate. Stalemate Battle lines remain largely unchanged through the duration of the war. The Eastern Front Battle of Tannenberg Russians suffer a humiliating defeat and are forced to retreat back into Russia. Germans credit this victory to the leadership of General Hindenberg and General Ludendorf. Other Fronts War contributed to economic hardships and led to overthrow of the Czar. Italy - Attacked Austria in May 1915, for desire of Austrian lands, seen as

4 an act of betrayal. Asia and the Pacific German colonies seized by the Japanese. Allies provide aid to Russia from its eastern The Ottoman Empire Ruled by Turks Gallipoli (1915) Turks cut the crucial supply lines to Russia. Turks hold back Allied forces at the Dardanelles. Armenian Genocide Armenians are supportive of the Allies at the beginning of the conflict and become targeted in mass executions that lead to the death of at least 1.5 million. Armenians comprise a Christian minority group. Africa an Middle East British under the leadership of T.E. Lawrence help organize Arab tribes to defeat the Ottoman Turks. The Role of the United States American Neutrality Propaganda Great Britain swayed public opinion by painting the Germans as violators of human rights worse than they were. Freedom of the Seas U-Boats Unrestricted submarine warfare is the only way Germany can challenge British naval power. It also threatens the United States assertion of freedom of the seas. Lusitania In May 1915, a German U-Boat sank this ship more than a hundred Americans perished. The Sussex Pledge - From May 1916 to January 1917 Germany provided advanced warning before sinking commercial and passenger vessels to help preserve the lives of non combatants. Economic Consideration Total War Mobilization of all resources and people for the war effort. Civilians subjected to rationed consumer goods to provide for soldiers. There will be a vast number of civilian casualties due to disease and famine.

5 April Sinking of the Lusitania turned American opinion against Germany. May - Italy attacked Austria Betrayed Germany and Austria Battle of Gallipoli, British fail to gain control of the Dardanelles Three Great Battles From February to November, Battle of Verdun (German Offensive), 700,000 men die May - Battle of Jutland, confirms the British supremacy of the seas. From this point, Germany committed to unrestricted submarine warfare against any ships heading to England. From June to November, Battle of the Somme, (British Offensive), on the first day a third of the 58,000 British casualties died The Crucial Year of the War Morale Collapses War Fatigue Long casualties, food shortages, and failure to achieve promised victories led for calls for peace. Revolution in Russia Incompetent generals and government corruption eroded public confidence. In March 1917, bread riots lead to a revolution that will bring down the Russian monarchy. Americaʼs Entry into the War Continuing Unrestricted Warfare In January Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare. Admiral Holtzendorf advised the Kaiser that the Americans will never make it to Europe. If the Germans could do this, sinking all American ships, the Allies would not be able to continue the war. Unrestricted submarine warfare was the most important reason for the US entry into the war. Germany encourages Mexico to declare war on the United States in the Zimmermann Telegram. Germany has been the chief military advisor to the German government. The US had occupied Veracruz in 1914 in 1916 conducted a Punitive Expedition in bringing Pancho Villa to justice. The mobilization against Mexico has involved the largest number of troops since the since the end of the Civil War in News of the Zimmermann telegram made anti-german sentement more intense. The US provided supplies, troops, monetary loans and makes a decisive role in the war. The US changed the ideological make-up of the war, to a war for democracy.

6 By the end of 1917, the British regained control of the seas with the use of detection devices, depth charges, mines and the convoy system In January Lenin signed the treaty of Brest Litovsk with Germany to pull out of the war. March - July - The final German offensive of the war. By July the ger September 30th - the Turks surrendered. November 3rd - the Austrians surrendered. November 9th - the Kaiser was forced to abdicate. November 11th - Germany formally signed the Armistice Without the resources and soldiers to continue the war, Germany agrees to an armistice at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of The victors refuse to negotiate with Kaiser's government contributing to his abdication. The Cost of the War The number of dead has been placed between 10 and 13 million, with 20 million wounded. The direct cost of the war has been set at $180 trillion and the indirect at $151,612,500,000. The war disintegrated four great empires: the Russian, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and German. Paris Peace Conference The Big Four Great Britain France Italy United States David Lloyd George Georges Clemenceau Vittorio Orlando Woodrow Wllson Woodrow Wilson proposes a post war peace plan, "The 14 Points," to bring just and lasting peace. His plan promotes a world democracy and international cooperation. The British and the French seek to disarm Germany and make it responsible for the war. Self determination of Nations Free Trade Freedom of the Seas Fair Peace

7 Disarmament Fair Treatment of Colonial Peoples League of Nations Opposition to the 14 Points Britain and France are more concerned for their national security than Wilson's "just and lasting peace." Many Germans will find these terms unreasonable and an outrage. Separate Peace Treaties The Versailles Treaty Territorial Changes Germany loses land in the reconstitution of Poland, and the shedding of Alsace-Lorraine and colonies. The coal of the Saar Valley is taken from Germany for 15 years and rewarded to France to help pay for damages; the people living there will be given an opportunity to determine whether to be part of Germany or France. Demilitarization Germany was not to fortify the east side of the Rhine and the west side was was a demilitarized zone. Germany's army was limited to 100,000 men, a police force and limited to building up to its potential. Also its navy was limited in size. Submarines and military aircraft were prohibited. Mandates Iraq and Palestine to be governed by Britain as custodian to the League of Nations War Guilt and Reparations Article 231, Germany to accept sole responsibility for the war. (War Guilt Clause) Article 232, Germany to pay reparations for damages to civilian population and property New States Poland Czechoslavakia Yugoslavia League of Nations the only portion of the 14 Points adopted into the Versailles Treaty, yet the United States will not approve the treaty for this provision. The US Senate expressed concern about losing its sovereignty to this body

8 Aftermath of War and did not approve of the treaty. Russia was not invited to the League of Nations. The Allies had felt betrayed by the Treaty of Brest Litovsk which they invalidated. The Marxists were not trusted, and the country was in chaos. Controversy over the Versailles Treaty Americans fear that this treaty will lead to a future war of which they want no part. This contributes to an isolationist mood in the country. Broken Economies Only the United States and Japan remained as creditor nations, stronger than they were before the war. Influenza Pandemic Killed more than 20 million world wide, far more than bullets, bombs, and artillery shells of World War I. Womenʼs Rights Women's contribution in the war effort, increased their participation in the workforce and helped them win the right to vote after the war. Unresolved Problems Militarist ideas persisted Imperialism continued Colonials hopes sank with mandate system Nationalist rivalries intensified Germany embittered over the treaty and the desire to recover lost lands. Italy claimed it should have received more Austrian territory and a share of Germany's colonies in Africa. The Japanese were disappointed with the territorial settlements in Asia. Conflicts of members of the League of Nations kept it from acting effectively.

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