World War I: M.A.I.N. Causes

• World War I was caused by M.A.I.N. factors: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism

Militarism

• Militarism is the glorification of military power, building up of armed forces and aggressive preparation for war.
• It created an environment where military values dominated policy-making and diplomatic actions.
• Countries developed intricate plans for mobilization and attack, increasing the likelihood of war.

Alliance System

• The alliance system was a network of treaties that obligated nations to defend each other.
• It turned a localized conflict into a larger war as nations were pulled into the conflict to defend their allies.
• Examples include the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Great Britain).

Imperialism

• Imperialism is the competition for colonies and resources that created tension and rivalry among European powers.
• Germany's late entry into the scramble for colonies intensified conflicts with established empires like Britain and France.
• Imperial disputes led to diplomatic crises, exacerbating existing animosities.

Nationalism

• Nationalism is the strong sense of pride and loyalty to one's nation.
• It fueled desires for national unity and independence, leading to conflicts, such as in the Balkans
• Nationalist sentiments contributed to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

The Spark

• The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist was the immediate trigger of World War I.
• Austria-Hungary issued a harsh ultimatum to Serbia, which Serbia couldn't fully meet, leading to Austria-Hungary declaring war.

Trench Warfare

• Trenches were long, narrow ditches dug into the ground where soldiers lived and fought.
• They were characterized by barbed wire, machine gun nests, and constant threat of enemy fire.
• Trench conditions were harsh, with soldiers facing disease, mud, rats, and psychological trauma.

Weapons

• Weapons included machine guns, poison gas, tanks, airplanes, and artillery.
• These weapons led to unprecedented levels of casualties and transformed war.

Canada at War

• Robert Borden was the Prime Minister of Canada during World War I.
• Sam Hughes was the Minister of Militia and Defence.
• The Western Front was characterized by trench warfare, while the Eastern Front involved more mobile warfare.
• The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the main Canadian force that fought in Europe.

Wartime Controversies

• The Ross rifle was the standard rifle issued to Canadian soldiers, but it was prone to jamming in the muddy conditions of the trenches
• Conscription was the compulsory enlistment of men into military service, which was highly divisive in Canada, particularly between English and French Canadians.
• Shell shock, now known as PTSD, affected many soldiers due to the trauma of war
• Racism in recruitment saw the creation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, an all-Black unit.

Women's Contributions

• Women played vital roles in the war effort, working in factories, farms, and as nurses.
• Their contributions helped to challenge traditional gender roles and paved the way for increased rights and opportunities after the war.

Enemy Aliens

• Enemy aliens were immigrants from enemy countries who were subjected to discrimination, surveillance, and internment in camps.

War in the Air

• An ace was a pilot credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft.
• Billy Bishop was a famous Canadian flying ace.
• Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron, was a notorious German flying ace.
• Dogfights were aerial battles between fighter planes, reconnaissance was gathering information about the enemy
• Achievements led to awards like the Victoria Cross(UK) and Iron Cross(Germany).

War at Sea

• Dreadnoughts were battleships that symbolized naval power.
• U-boats were German submarines used to attack enemy ships and enforce blockades.

Armistice

• The armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, ending World War I.
• Total lives lost in the war were estimated at over 16 million.
• Total Canadian lives lost were over 60,000.

Treaty of Versailles

• The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty that officially ended World War I.
• It imposed harsh terms on Germany, including territorial losses, demilitarization, and reparations.
• The treaty also led to the creation of the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at preventing future wars.