World War I: Causes and Conflict

Alliances and Competition

• Entangling and complex alliances contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
• Competition among nations, coupled with rising nationalism, heightened tensions.
• The decline of old empires like Austria-Hungary and the vulnerability of the Ottoman Empire created instability.

Short Term Causes and the Trigger Point

• The assassination in the Balkans served as the immediate trigger for World War I.
• The Balkans, with its multinational populations and provinces, was a hotbed of Serb nationalism and Pan-Slavism.
• Serbia was allied with Russia
• The declaration of war in August 1914 marked the beginning of the conflict.

The Conflict

• World War I involved a two-front war characterized by trench warfare and stalemate.
• New technologies like machine guns, barbed wire, tanks, and submarines (U-boats) were deployed.
• Germany utilized submarines

Blame

• Blame was attributed to people, ideas, and attitudes in the aftermath of World War I.

The Paris Peace Conference - Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919)

• The main goal was to prevent future wars and establish a fair and equitable resolution for all sides.
• Key issues included territorial disputes, assigning financial responsibility, limiting militarism, and determining culpability.
• Wilson's 14 Points: A plan for peace.
  • Freedom of the seas.
  • Free trade.
  • Large-scale reductions of arms.
  • An end to secret treaties.
  • Self-determination for nations.
  • The creation of a general association of nations.
• Two approaches were considered: Idealistic vs. Realistic.
• Article 231, known as the War Guilt Clause, placed blame on Germany.
• Germany was burdened with financial reparations and territorial losses.
• The Middle East was controlled by Britain and France under a mandate system.
• Colonies were affected and there was overall bitterness.

The Russian Communist Revolution

• The Romanov family, who were Tsars, ruled a large multinational empire through dynastic succession
• Serfdom was prevalent in agriculture, and modernization and industrialization were limited
• The three pillars of Nicholas I's rule:
  • Orthodoxy
  • Autocracy
  • Nationalism (Russification)
• The motto was "Submit and obey."
• The period was characterized by conservatism and limited reforms.
• The Decembrist revolt occurred.
• The Crimean War (1854-56) exposed Russia's backwardness.
• Alexander II
  • Alexander II realized Russia's need for change and freed the serfs in 1861, earning him the title "The Tsar Emancipator".
  • He was assassinated after introducing reforms.
• Alexander III
  • Implemented conservative and repressive policies.
  • Russification aimed to unify Russia.
  • Forced unification created weakness due to handling of minorities
  • Pogroms (anti-Semitic attacks) occurred.
  • Industrialization was limited.
• 1904/1905
  • Russia was defeated by Japan, resulting in humiliation.
  • Bloody Sunday occurred.
  • A revolution led to reforms, including the establishment of an assembly (Duma).
  • The Duma was dissolved in 1906 due to its conservative nature.

The Russian Revolution Overview

• October/November 1917 (The Communist Revolution) signaled a shift from Tsarist rule to communist rule.
• Tsarist Russia was characterized by:
  • Orthodoxy
  • Autocracy
  • Nationalism (Russification)
  • Limited reforms, modernization, and industrialization.
• Nicholas II continued ineffective governance, leading to further problems.
• 1904-1905: Defeat by Japan.
• 1905: Bloody Sunday.
• 1905: Revolution.
• Russia's involvement in World War I resulted in significant losses, and soldiers lacked motivation.
• The Tsar abdicated, leading to the formation of a provisional government led by Kerensky.
• Transition: Unchanging -> Gradual -> Radical
• Radicals
  • Marxist revolutionaries believed in the overthrow of the "haves" by the "have-nots" (proletariat).
  • Aimed for a classless society.
• Lenin: Bolsheviks (majority) advocated for radical and immediate change.
• Soviets: Councils of workers and peasants.
• The slogan was "Peace, Land, Bread."
• Civil War
  • Led to communist rule.
  • The Reds (Communists/Bolsheviks) led by Lenin and Trotsky, with their Red Army, emerged victorious against the Whites.
  • War communism was implemented.