World War I: Balance of Fear

• The Great War, later known as World War I, occurred from 1914-1918.
• It was termed as "A war to end all wars".

Balance of Fear

• From 1870-1914, Europe experienced no major wars for three decades.
• This long period of peace was maintained by a balance of fear among nations.

Europe Before 1914

• The period before 1914 was characterized by peace, affluence, and industrialization.
• This period also had underlying tensions due to the lack of trust among nations and the colonial race.

European Response to Concerns

• Europeans responded to these concerns by building financial power through commercial competition and creating colonial empires.
• Additionally, they engaged in militarism by expanding military and naval forces and using them without hesitation.

Potential Friction

• Germany and the Balkans were two sources of potential friction in Europe.

Germany's Troubles

• Germany's geographic position in the middle of Europe caused it to be troubled.
• Germany had a narrow outlet to the sea.
• The British posed a threat to its navy.

Britain & Germany

• Relations between Britain and Germany were strained due to competition over colonies, industry, and naval power.

Germany & France

• Germany and France were anxious about each other's military power and shared a desire for a greater role in world politics.
• France sought revenge for the defeat of 1871.
• France sought recovery of Alsace-Lorraine.

Bismarck's Alliances

• To protect against French desires for revenge, Bismarck arranged a series of alliances with Austria, Russia, and Italy.

Reinsurance Treaty

• The Reinsurance Treaty was a secret agreement with Russia:
  • Joint defense against attack from France or Austria-Hungary.
  • Germany would remain neutral in case of a Russo-Turkish war in the Middle East.
• The Reinsurance Treaty was essential for German security.
• It prevented a Russian-French alliance.
• It secured the diplomatic isolation of France.
• It ensured against a two-front war (West with Russia, East with France).

Dual Alliance

• Germany signed the Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary.
  • Secured Austro-Hungarian neutrality in war, especially against France.
  • Provided support against Russian attack.

Bismarck Resigns

• Bismarck resigned in 1890, and his successor, Caprivi, did not renew the treaty with Russia due to competition in the Balkans.
• As a result, Russia searched for new allies.

Franco-Russian Alliance

• France was the best candidate for Russia.
• France signed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1894.
  • It provided financial support to Russia.
  • It reorganized military forces.

New Alliances

• The new alliances were Germany + Italy and France + Russia.

Britain's Entente Cordial

• Britain signed the Entente Cordial with France, an informal alliance that stipulated: -Blocking German naval ambitions. -Ending colonial clashes in North Africa. -Britain taking control of Egypt. -France controlling Morocco.
• The Entente Cordial did not include military agreements.

Anglo-Russian Convention

• Russia, anxious about German power, settled differences with Britain in Persia through the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1917.
• This divided Persia into spheres of influence.

Alliances - Triple Entente and Triple Alliance

• The change of alliances led to the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Britain) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy).

Anglo-Japanese Alliance

• Japan and Britain formed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in 1902 to stop Russian expansion in the Far East.
• Japan became involved in European politics.

Alliances - Avoiding War

• The alliances created got the Powers so entangled and trapped that when one country declared war, all were involved.
• A single murder turned into a world war.

Germany and Crises in North Africa

• Germany created two crises in North Africa to test the veracity of the French-British Entente.
• Germany wanted to verify how committed the French and British were to each other's security and to potentially end the Entente.

First Moroccan Crisis 1905

• German Kaiser William II arrived in Tangier and declared support for Sultan Abdul-Aziz.
• This created a major diplomatic crisis.
• This was a clear departure from Bismarck’s conciliatory foreign policy.
• Kaiser hoped his visit would create conflict between France & Britain.
  • British were uneasy about French in North Africa, particularly in Morocco.
• Germany would gain commercial benefits.
• Germany would hopefully sign an Open Door agreement.
• Germany's plan backfired.
• The crisis created international tensions.
• At the Conference of Algeciras in 1906, the Powers backed French claims.
• Entente Cordial expanded to include military assistance.

Second Moroccan Crisis 1911

• A rebellion broke out in Morocco.
• France sent troops to protect European interests.
• Germany demanded compensations for allowing France free rein in Morocco.
• A German gunboat arrived in Agadir, demanding a naval base on the Atlantic.
• The British categorically refused and offered compensations in the Congo. -This increased British-German hostilities.
  • It reinforced Entente Cordiale. -Britain and France sign a new naval agreement. -Morocco was declared a French.

Balkans - Second Source of Tension

• The Balkans were under Ottoman occupation since 1362.
• The Balkans were poor, agrarian, and underdeveloped with a rigid feudal system and no industrial revolution.
• People shared the Slavic race with Russia.
• Austria treated them badly.
• Nationalism gained ground in the Balkans.
• Pan-Slavism sought to unite all Slavs. -Provided national pride and a sense of purpose.
  • People lacked the geography in the Balkans.
• The 1900s marked Ottoman decline in Eastern Europe, nicknamed the "Sick Man of Europe".
• In Istanbul, 1908, a progressive group started the Young Turk Revolution.
• The Balkans states seized the opportunity to declare independence.
• Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1908-1909, alarming both Russia and Serbia.
• Russia encouraged the formation of the Balkan League (Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro & Serbia).
• The Russian goal was to avenge earlier defeats and gain access to Turkish Straits (Bosporus & Dardanelle).
• In The First Balkan War 1912, the Balkan League defeated the Ottomans.
• Ottoman territories in East Europe were divided among members of the League.
• Bulgaria was not satisfied with her share in Macedonia.
• In The Second Balkan War 1913, Bulgaria declared war on Serbia & Greece.
• Bulgaria was defeated and signed the Treaty of Bucharest.
• Bulgaria gave up territories gained in the first Balkan War.
• Under the Treaty of Bucharest: -Albania was granted independence. -Macedonia was divided among members of the Balkan League. -Greece was already independent after revolutions of 1821 and 1829. -Serbia was the greatest winner. -Ottomans were finally out of Europe.
• The Balkan Wars were: -Sparked by Pan Slavism. -Lead to a Balkan states win independence from the Ottoman Empire. -Would ultimately break away from Austria-Hungary & Russia.
• Balkan Wars were instrumental in steering the way to WWI.
• Ottoman defeat changed the balance of power. -Created Power Vacuum European Powers compete to fill. -Results were calamitous.
• Post-war conditions:
  • Serbia was the center of Slavic Revival.
  • Serbia was strongest among Balkan states.
  • Serbia was an enemy of Austria.
• Austria two things stood in her way of maintaining control and status in the Balkans: -Pan Slavic dream. -Serbia that carries the torch of Pan Slavism.
• Political situation: -Austria was anxious about Serbia’s developing power. -Germany was uneasy about cooperation between Russia & Serbia. -Russia 'claims' South Slavs as her little brothers.
• A question was if, when war broke out between Serbia & Austria -Russia & Germany who were committed to protect their allies - Would find themselves face-to-face.
• Austria & Germany collaborated to defeat Serbia.
• Both were anxious to guard their own interests.
• Each had her different reasons.
• On June 28, 1914, Archduke Ferdinand, the crown prince of Austria-Hungary, was murdered with his wife Sofi in Sarajevo, Bosnia.
• Gavrillo Princip was accused of the crime.
• The Spark that lit the Inferno.

Gavrilo Princip

• A Serb member of the Greater Serbia movement.
• Gavrilo's goal: Liberate and unite Slavic territories including those annexed by Austria-Hungary.
• Archduke Ferdinand:
  • Supported a moderate approach to Serbia’s demands. -"Harsh treatment will bring Austria into open conflict with Russia to the ruin of both". -Assured a Settlement with Serbia. -For Slavic Autonomy.
• The murder was Premeditated refers to the act of planning or considering an action in advance, particularly in a legal context where it describes a crime that was thought out before being executed. This term is often associated with murder cases, where the perpetrator has engaged in forethought or deliberation, indicating a conscious decision to commit the act rather than acting on impulse or in the heat of the moment. The legal distinction between premeditated and other forms of homicide can significantly impact the severity of charges and potential penalties faced by the accused. In criminal law, proving that a crime was premeditated usually necessitates evidence demonstrating the offender's intent and planning process leading up to the act.. -Radicals against any compromise. -It reduces desire for Slavic Union
• Such a momentous crime will create political confusion -Powers will be forced to address Slavic problem -War the only chance to win independence.
• Investigation:
  • AUSTRIA: demands to join the investigations
  • SERBIA: to avoid military -Confrontation, accepts request.
• The Austrian Committee’s Report:
  • nothing to prove that Serbian government was accessory to the crime, its preparation, or furnishing weapons
    • There are reasons to believe this is Out of the Question.
• The Report was TOTALLY ignored.
• GERMANY: pressed Austria to end Serbia.
• AUSTRIA: wanted an invasion but hesitant. -Sends an ULTIMATUM to Serbia.
• GERMAN ambassador helped in writing.
• The ultimatum: -Worded in a way to MAKE SURE Serbia will REFUSE it
• The ultimatum of 10 points. -Lay blame on Serbian officials for participating in the crime
• PROVISO: either ALL terms accepted or it will be a declaration of war.
• SERBIA accepts all BUT one. -No investigation in SERBIA.
• The Archduke was killed in BOSNIA
• AUSTRIA needed an excuse to attack, which it called: -Insignificant Nest of Vipers.
• AUSTRIA was horrifically wrong.
  • The result was WWI. -CHANGED the COURSE of history.
• Pre-war Political Situation Reminder:
  • Austria was anxious about Serbia’s developing power.
  • Germany was uneasy about collaboration between Russia & Serbia.
  • Russia Had the perfect pretext to protect her ‘little brothers’.
• Germany did NOT create the crisis:
  • Turned it into an advantage.
  • Supported the attack and was ready for the adventure. -VICTORY will strengthen German position in Europe.
• Actions of the Alliance System:
  • GERMANY gave Austria a blank check against SERBIA.
  • RUSSIA Gave Serbia a blank check against AUSTRIA.
• The Alliance System Proved its FAULTS:
  • Presumably, it was created to stop war between GREAT POWERS.
  • They Found themselves at war to SAVE their weaker ALLIES.
• World War I

World War I Dates

• JULY 28, 1914 AUSTRIA declares war on SERBIA
• August 1 GERMANY declares war on RUSSIA
• August 3 GERMANY declares war on FRANCE
• August 4 GERMANY attacks through neutral BELGIUM
• August 4 BRITAIN declares war on GERMANY

German Miscalculations

• Ist German Miscalculation Attack through neutral Belgium A clear violation of international agreements.
• 2nd German Miscalculation Neutral Germans counted on British neutrality.
• GERMAN troops in Belgium pose a SERIOUS threat to BRITISH security.

Neutrality of Belgium

• CATHOLIC Belgians broke away 1789 from PROTESTANT Netherlands.
• Guaranteed by Treaty Of London 1839. -Assured independence & neutrality of Belgium. -TREATY SIGNED BY: Britain, Austria, Russia & Prussia. -Committed to guard Belgium’s NEUTRALITY Against ANY/ALL invasion.

Treaty of London

• Basis of international law.
• GERMANY disregarded consensus.
  • Ignored Belgium’s neutrality.
• Treaty of London EFFECTIVELY causing a WORLD WAR.
• Germany Committed same error in 1940 WORLD WAR II

Public Opinion

• Manipulated to accept war.
• Followed their leaders joyfully.
• SOLDIERS promised their families that they would be home for Christmas.