World War I History Quiz

World War One: Unit 6

• World War One began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and lasted until 1918.
• During the war, Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire) fought against Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan, and the United States).
• The war resulted in unprecedented levels of carnage and destruction due to new military technologies and trench warfare.
• More than 16 million people (soldiers and civilians) died during the war.
• The crisis leading to the war was preceded by a series of diplomatic clashes among major European powers over European and colonial issues in the decade before 1914.

The Path to War and Revolution

• In 1890, Europe's industrialization created vast wealth and empires for nations like Britain, France, and Germany.
• Competing industrial powers led to growing tensions, alliances, and ultimately, catastrophic conflict.

Underlying Causes: MAIN

• Militarism: The arms race prioritized military forces, with both France and Germany doubling their armies between 1870 and 1914. Aggressive plans and mobilization fears further intensified tensions.
• Alliances: The 1890-1907 Diplomatic Revolution formed opposing alliance systems (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente), creating a complex web of commitments and escalating risks.
• Imperialism: Competition for new territories between major powers, particularly between Germany and Britain, fueled colonial expansion and considerable rivalries.
• Nationalism: Nationalist sentiments among various groups (especially in Austria-Hungary and Serbia) and the unification of Germany and Italy in the 1870s further complicated the geopolitical landscape.

European Alliances and Crises (1905-1914)

• Two major alliance systems (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente) divided Europe.
• An alliance is an agreement between countries promising mutual support in case of attack.
• The Triple Alliance (1882) and Triple Entente (1907) were established.
• These alliances occupied a central position on the continent, surrounded by other nations.

Alliances in the Great War

• The opposing alliances in World War One encompassed most of the globe.
• Allies and Associated Powers (in red).
• Central Powers (in yellow).
• Neutrals (in gray).

Imperialism

• Imperialism involved taking over new territories.
• By 1900, British and French empires significantly expanded, driven by industrialization.
• Intense rivalries emerged, especially between Germany and Britain, due to Germany's industrial growth, which threatened Britain's dominance.
• This competition fueled further colonial expansion.

Nationalism

• Nationalism supports a country's rights and interests.
• The Congress of Vienna's divided Germany and Italy, but strong nationalism led to their unification in the 1870s.
• France's resentment for losing Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, and diverse nationalist groups in Austria-Hungary (and Serbia) sought independence.
• The idea of nation-states gained popularity but remained unresolved in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

The Crisis of July 1914

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination sparked anger and led to Austria-Hungary seeking German support.
• Austria issued harsh ultimatums to Serbia, which they attempted to appease.
• Opposing alliances formed within a week of Austria's declaration of war, marking the beginning of World War One.

Why did Franz Ferdinand visit Sarajevo?

• To inspect Austro-Hungarian military exercises in nearby Bosnia.
• To demonstrate the strength and authority of Austria-Hungary in the region.
• To showcase Austro-Hungarian rule over territories annexed in 1908.
• To demonstrate control over the area with rising Serbian nationalist sentiments – a significant Serbian population.
• To gain local support by presenting himself as a reformer, and favoring autonomy for Slavic peoples within the empire.

Brief Timeline of the War

• Key dates and events of World War One are summarized.
• Details regarding the actions and inactions of all major players (the Allies and the Central Powers) are listed.

The Western Front

• Germany fought on two fronts (Belgium and Russia) under the Schlieffen Plan.
• The war quickly became a stalemate by late 1914, with heavy losses on all sides.
• Trench warfare developed along the Western Front in 1915.

Famous Sea Battles - Battles of the Marne

• The Western Front deadlock led to a "race to the sea".
• The First and Second Battles of the Marne (Sept 1914 and July 1918).
• The Marne battles bookended World War One in shaping the war's trajectory and its resolution.

The Verdun, Somme, Brusilov

• Key Battles on the Eastern Front are summarized.
• These battles highlight the stalemates, the impact of new technologies, and massive human costs of the war.

Japan vs Germany

• Japan declared neutrality in 1914.
• Britain's desire to complicate Germany's situation in China led to requesting assistance from Japan.
• Japan declared war on Germany and moved to end German influence in China and the Pacific.
• Qingdao was attacked and overtook in November 1914.

Japan in World War One

• Japan was part of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which obligated it to support Britain in case of war.
• Significant expansionist ambitions in China (Twenty-One Demands) and the Pacific.
• Imperial ambitions created tensions with Western powers.

The Great War in Africa

• Germany's African colonies had limited impact on European hostilities (except for wireless communications used for signaling).
• Allies were primarily focused in capturing these colonies.
• The German East African campaign was noteworthy, lasting until after the 1918 armistice.

The United States Enters the War

• Woodrow Wilson initially attempted to mediate a peaceful end to the war.
• The sinking of the Lusitania, German U-boat warfare, and anti-German propaganda influenced American public opinion.
• The US declared war on Germany in April 1917.

Toward Armistice

• The Central Powers began separating in late 1918.
• Austria-Hungary dissolved due to nationalist movements.
• Germany's dwindling resources, discontent, and the surrender of allies forced them to seek an armistice in November 1918.

The Treaty of Versailles

• War Guilt Clause required Germany to accept full responsibility for starting the war, paying reparations (huge financial responsibility), reducing the German military, loss of territory, loss of colonies, and forbidding unification with Austria.
• Terms affected Germany's economy and morale.

Further Treaties

• Separate treaties addressed the issues of Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
• These treaties involved significant territorial adjustments and reparations.

Wilson's 14 Points

• President Wilson proposed 14 points for a post-war peace settlement.
• Main Points emphasized open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, removal of economic barriers, reduction in national armaments (and equality), and the establishment of an international organization (League of Nations).

Impact and Importance of the 14 Points

• The 14 Points served as a basis for the Treaty of Versailles.
• These points inspired self-determination and global liberation movements.
• The concept of collective security through the League of Nations was introduced.
• Nevertheless, many aspects of the 14 Points were compromised in the negotiations. The US Senate's rejection of the League further limited its impact.

Consequences of the Treaties

• The treaties seemed initially to satisfy the major Allied powers by crippling Germany, Austria, and Turkey.
• These treaties, however, created significant resentment in defeated nations, leading to a mood of anger, contributing to a rise in ideologies like socialism and dictatorships.
• The treaties also disrupted the economies of several nations due to heavy war reparations and territorial losses.