Chapter 1 The Prelude to World War I (1870-1914).docx

**[TIMELINE]** Chapter 1: The Prelude to World War I (1870-1914) - **1870**: Franco-Prussian War, leading to German unification and the emergence of a powerful Germany. - **1871**: Treaty of Versailles ends the Franco-Prussian War, marking the unification of Germany and the creation o...

**[TIMELINE]** Chapter 1: The Prelude to World War I (1870-1914) - **1870**: Franco-Prussian War, leading to German unification and the emergence of a powerful Germany. - **1871**: Treaty of Versailles ends the Franco-Prussian War, marking the unification of Germany and the creation of the German Empire. - **1884-1885**: Berlin Conference, European powers divide Africa into colonies, leading to increased tensions. - **1904**: Entente Cordiale between Britain and France, easing tensions and laying the groundwork for future alliances. - **1914**: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo triggers World War I. Chapter 2: World War I (1914-1918) - **1914-1918**: World War I, involving major powers and resulting in unprecedented destruction and loss of life. - **1917**: Russian Revolution, leading to the collapse of the Russian Empire and the rise of Bolshevik rule under Lenin. - **1918**: Treaty of Versailles officially ends World War I, imposing harsh penalties on Germany and setting the stage for future conflicts. Chapter 3: The Interwar Years (1918-1939) - **1919**: Establishment of the League of Nations, aimed at preventing future conflicts through collective security. - **1929**: Wall Street Crash triggers the Great Depression, causing economic hardship worldwide. - **1933**: Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany, leading to the rise of the Nazi regime. - **1939**: Outbreak of World War II with Germany\'s invasion of Poland. Chapter 4: World War II (1939-1945) - **1939-1945**: World War II, involving major powers and resulting in widespread devastation and loss of life. - **1941**: Attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan leads to the United States\' entry into the war. - **1945**: Allied victory in Europe and the Pacific, culminating in the surrender of Germany and Japan. **[CAUSES FOR IMPERIALISM]** Economic Motives: - Desire for new markets: Industrialized nations sought new markets to sell their goods and increase profits. - Access to raw materials: Imperial powers sought control over colonies to secure resources such as minerals, timber, and agricultural products. - Investment opportunities: Colonies provided opportunities for investment in infrastructure, mining, and agriculture. Strategic Interests: - Geopolitical competition: European powers sought to expand their influence and control strategic locations for military and naval bases. - National security: Control over colonies was seen as essential for protecting trade routes and ensuring security against rival powers. - Naval power: Control over colonies enabled nations to strengthen their naval presence and project power globally. Ideological and Cultural Factors: - Social Darwinism: Belief in the superiority of one\'s own race or culture led to the justification of imperial expansion as a means of spreading civilization and uplifting \"backward\" societies. - Missionary zeal: Religious and humanitarian motives drove some imperialists to spread Christianity and Western values. - Nationalism: Imperial expansion was often seen as a way to enhance a nation\'s prestige and promote a sense of national pride. Technological Advancements: - Advances in transportation and communication, such as steamships, railways, and the telegraph, facilitated the movement of goods, people, and information across vast distances, making imperial control more feasible. **[IMPERIALISM IN CHINA]** - **Opium Wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860):** The Opium Wars between China and Britain highlighted China\'s vulnerability and paved the way for increased foreign influence. - **Unequal Treaties:** Following the Opium Wars, China was forced to sign a series of unequal treaties with Western powers and Japan, granting them extraterritorial rights and control over Chinese territories and trade. - **Sphere of Influence:** Western powers, including Britain, France, Germany, and Russia, established spheres of influence in China, where they enjoyed exclusive trading rights and economic privileges. - **Open Door Policy:** The United States proposed the Open Door Policy in 1899, advocating for equal access to Chinese markets for all foreign powers and aiming to prevent the partition of China. - **Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901):** Chinese nationalists, known as the Boxers, rebelled against foreign influence and Christian missionaries, leading to a violent suppression by Western powers and Japan. - **Fall of the Qing Dynasty:** Internal unrest, coupled with foreign intervention, contributed to the decline of the Qing Dynasty, culminating in its overthrow in 1912 and the establishment of the Republic of China. **[IMPERIALISM IN JAPAN]** - **Meiji Restoration (1868):** The Meiji Restoration marked a period of rapid modernization and industrialization in Japan, aimed at strengthening the country to resist Western imperialism. - **Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895):** Japan\'s victory over China in the Sino-Japanese War allowed Japan to gain control over Taiwan and exert influence over Korea. - **Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905):** Japan\'s victory over Russia in the Russo-Japanese War established Japan as a major regional power and the dominant force in East Asia. - **Annexation of Korea (1910):** Japan annexed Korea in 1910, establishing direct colonial rule and exploiting Korean resources for its own benefit. - **Expansion in the Pacific:** Japan expanded its imperial reach into the Pacific, acquiring territories such as Taiwan, the Kuril Islands, and parts of Micronesia. - **World War II:** Japan\'s imperial ambitions culminated in its involvement in World War II, leading to its defeat and the end of its imperial expansion. **[AMERICAN EXPANSION/IMPERIALISM]** - **Manifest Destiny (19th Century):** The belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This ideology fueled westward expansion and the acquisition of territories such as Oregon, Texas, California, and the Southwest. - **Spanish-American War (1898):** The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain, largely over Cuba\'s independence. The U.S. emerged victorious, gaining control over territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. U.S.S. Maine explosion. - **Open Door Policy in China (late 19th-early 20th Century):** The United States advocated for the Open Door Policy in China, promoting equal trading rights and access to Chinese markets for all foreign powers. This policy aimed to prevent the partition of China by European imperial powers. - **Panama Canal (1904-1914):** The United States supported Panama\'s independence from Colombia and subsequently built the Panama Canal, which facilitated maritime trade and projected American influence in Latin America. - **Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904):** President Theodore Roosevelt\'s corollary to the Monroe Doctrine asserted the United States\' right to intervene in Latin American affairs to maintain stability and protect American interests. This policy justified American intervention in countries such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. - **Dollar Diplomacy (early 20th Century):** President William Howard Taft\'s policy of \"Dollar Diplomacy\" aimed to promote American economic interests abroad, particularly in Latin America and East Asia, by using American economic power to influence foreign governments. - **World War I and Versailles Treaty (1914-1919):** Although the United States initially pursued a policy of neutrality, it eventually entered World War I on the side of the Allies. The Versailles Treaty, which ended the war, reflected American influence and President Woodrow Wilson\'s vision for a new world order based on principles such as self-determination and collective security. - **Isolationism and Neutrality Acts (1930s):** In response to the growing turmoil in Europe and Asia, the United States adopted a policy of isolationism, seeking to avoid entanglement in foreign conflicts. The Neutrality Acts of the 1930s aimed to prevent American involvement in future wars by prohibiting arms sales and loans to belligerent nations. **[WW1]** - **Background and Causes:** - **Nationalism:** Intense nationalism and rivalries between European powers contributed to tensions. - **Imperialism:** Competition for colonies and resources fueled rivalries between major powers. - **Militarism:** Arms race and the build-up of military forces increased tensions. - **Alliance System:** Entangling alliances, particularly the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy), created a delicate balance of power. - **Immediate Triggers:** - **Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:** The assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist sparked the July Crisis in 1914. - **July Crisis:** Diplomatic tensions escalated following the assassination, leading to Austria-Hungary\'s ultimatum to Serbia and subsequent declarations of war. - **Course of the War:** - **Western Front:** Stalemate characterized by trench warfare along the Western Front in France and Belgium. - **Eastern Front:** Dynamic and fluid battles between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia in Eastern Europe. - **Naval Warfare:** The British Royal Navy blockaded Germany, while Germany\'s unrestricted submarine warfare targeted Allied shipping. - **War in Other Theaters:** Fighting also occurred in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. - **Key Battles and Events:** - **Battle of the Marne (1914):** Allied victory halted the German advance into France. - **Battle of Verdun (1916):** Costly battle between France and Germany resulted in heavy casualties. - **Battle of the Somme (1916):** Massive British offensive resulted in high casualties but little territorial gain. - **Russian Revolution (1917):** Overthrow of the Tsarist regime led to Russia\'s withdrawal from the war. - **Entry of the United States (1917):** American entry into the war on the side of the Allies provided a significant boost. - **German Spring Offensive (1918):** Last-ditch effort by Germany to achieve victory failed, leading to Allied counterattacks. - **Armistice (1918):** Germany signed an armistice agreement on November 11, 1918, effectively ending the war. - **Consequences:** - **Treaty of Versailles (1919):** Peace treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to resentment and laying the groundwork for future conflicts. - **Redrawing of Borders:** The war led to the dissolution of empires and the redrawing of borders in Europe and the Middle East. - **Human Cost:** WWI resulted in unprecedented casualties and destruction, shaping the course of the 20th century. **[RUSSIAN REVOLUTION]** - **Background:** - **Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905):** Russia\'s defeat by Japan in the Russo-Japanese War exposed weaknesses in the Tsarist regime and sparked discontent among the Russian populace. - **Social and Economic Issues:** Widespread poverty, inequality, and discontent among peasants, workers, and intellectuals fueled revolutionary sentiment. - **World War I:** Russia\'s involvement in World War I strained the economy and further exacerbated social unrest. - **February Revolution (1917):** - **Protests and Strikes:** Widespread strikes and protests erupted in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) in February 1917, triggered by food shortages and dissatisfaction with the Tsarist regime. - **Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II:** Facing mounting pressure, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne on March 15, 1917, marking the end of the Romanov dynasty and the establishment of a provisional government. - **Dual Power:** - **Provisional Government:** The provisional government, led by liberal politicians, initially shared power with the Petrograd Soviet, a council of workers\' and soldiers\' deputies. - **Challenges and Instability:** The provisional government struggled to address the country\'s economic and social problems, leading to continued discontent and calls for radical change. - **October Revolution (1917):** - **Bolshevik Seizure of Power:** Led by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik Party, the October Revolution overthrew the provisional government in Petrograd on October 25, 1917 (November 7 according to the Gregorian calendar). - **Establishment of Soviet Rule:** The Bolsheviks established Soviet rule, with Lenin as the leader, and began implementing socialist policies, including land redistribution and nationalization of industry. - **Civil War (1917-1922):** - **Opposition to Bolshevik Rule:** The Bolsheviks faced opposition from diverse groups, including White Army forces, foreign interventionists, and nationalist movements. - **War and Famine:** The civil war resulted in widespread violence, famine, and devastation, further destabilizing the country. - **Consolidation of Bolshevik Power:** - **Lenin\'s Leadership:** Lenin\'s leadership and policies, including the New Economic Policy (NEP), helped stabilize the country and consolidate Bolshevik power. - **Formation of the Soviet Union:** In 1922, the Bolsheviks established the Soviet Union, a socialist state comprising various republics. - **Impact:** - **End of Tsarist Rule:** The Russian Revolution led to the end of centuries of Tsarist rule and the establishment of a socialist state. - **Influence on Global Politics:** The Russian Revolution inspired socialist movements worldwide and shaped the course of 20th-century history, particularly during the Cold War. **[TREATY OF VERSAILLES]** - **Background:** - The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties that ended World War I. It was negotiated during the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. - The treaty aimed to establish a lasting peace in Europe by addressing the causes and consequences of the war. - **Key Provisions:** - **Territorial Changes:** The treaty imposed significant territorial changes on Germany, including the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to France, the return of territories to Belgium and Denmark, and the cession of territory to Poland. - **Disarmament:** Germany was required to disarm and demilitarize, with severe restrictions placed on its military forces, including limits on army size, naval vessels, and prohibited weapons. - **War Guilt Clause:** Article 231, known as the \"War Guilt Clause,\" placed sole responsibility for the war on Germany and its allies, leading to reparations payments. - **Reparations:** Germany was required to pay reparations to the Allied powers as compensation for war damages. The exact amount of reparations was not specified initially but was later determined by subsequent agreements. - **League of Nations:** The Treaty of Versailles established the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at promoting peace and preventing future conflicts. - **Impact:** - **Resentment and Humiliation:** The Treaty of Versailles was deeply resented by many Germans, who viewed it as excessively punitive and humiliating. The war guilt clause and reparations payments were particularly contentious issues. - **Economic Hardship:** The reparations payments imposed on Germany strained its economy, contributing to hyperinflation and economic instability in the 1920s. - **Political Consequences:** The treaty\'s provisions contributed to political instability in Germany, fueling resentment and providing fertile ground for extremist movements such as the Nazi Party. - **Long-term Consequences:** The Treaty of Versailles is often cited as a contributing factor to the outbreak of World War II, as it left unresolved tensions and grievances that fueled further conflicts. **[LEAGUE OF NATIONS]** - **Formation and Purpose:** - The League of Nations was established in 1920 as part of the Treaty of Versailles following World War I. - Its primary purpose was to maintain international peace and security by preventing future conflicts through collective security and diplomacy. - **Structure and Organization:** - The League of Nations consisted of a General Assembly, where member states were represented and decisions were made by majority vote. - The League also had a Council composed of permanent members (including major powers such as Britain, France, Italy, and Japan) and rotating non-permanent members. - The Secretariat, led by a Secretary-General, served as the administrative arm of the League. - **Functions and Responsibilities:** - **Collective Security:** The League aimed to prevent aggression and maintain peace through collective security, whereby member states would collectively respond to acts of aggression. - **Arbitration and Mediation:** The League provided a forum for peaceful resolution of disputes between member states through arbitration and mediation. - **Economic and Social Cooperation:** The League promoted economic and social cooperation among member states, including initiatives to improve public health, address humanitarian crises, and combat poverty. - **Mandates:** The League administered mandates over former colonies and territories of defeated powers, aiming to promote their development and eventual self-government. - **Achievements:** - **Successes in Conflict Resolution:** The League successfully mediated several international disputes and prevented potential conflicts through diplomatic means. - **Humanitarian Work:** The League undertook various humanitarian initiatives, including refugee assistance, disease control, and efforts to combat the international drug trade. - **Establishment of International Standards:** The League established international standards and norms in areas such as labor rights, public health, and disarmament. - **Challenges and Limitations:** - **Lack of Enforcement Mechanisms:** The League\'s effectiveness was hampered by a lack of effective enforcement mechanisms, as member states were often reluctant to commit military forces to collective action. - **Absence of Major Powers:** The absence of major powers such as the United States, which never joined the League, weakened its authority and limited its ability to enforce its decisions. - **Failure to Prevent Aggression:** The League\'s failure to prevent acts of aggression by member states, such as Italy\'s invasion of Ethiopia and Japan\'s aggression in Asia, undermined its credibility. - **Decline and Dissolution:** The League\'s inability to prevent the outbreak of World War II and its perceived failures led to its decline and eventual dissolution in 1946.