WWI History Test 2025 PDF

**[History Test 10.01.2025]** **WWI:** **Main Causes of the war** Nationalism: - National pride, desire for independence were on the rise (Serbia) - Nationalists wanted to unite Slavic people free them from Austro-Hungarian control Imperialism: - Ottoman Empire, Austro-Hungarian Emp...

**[History Test 10.01.2025]** **WWI:** **Main Causes of the war** Nationalism: - National pride, desire for independence were on the rise (Serbia) - Nationalists wanted to unite Slavic people free them from Austro-Hungarian control Imperialism: - Ottoman Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, British Empire, France, and Russia competing for colonies, resources, worldwide influence - Created tensions especially Europe Murder of Archduke: - 28^th^ of June 1914, six (Bosnian Serb) teenage terrorists wanted to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Hatred towards Austria/him) - First terrorist scared and escaped, second wanted to do nothing; then threw a bomb at the Archduke's car (didn't kill him) - Officials decided FF should be driven via a different route - Rest of terrorists heard the bomb thought FF was dead (they left except for one) - Princip (terrorist) unexpectedly saw Archduke (because the driver took a wrong turn) shot him 2 times, killing both him and his wife Sophie Alliances: - Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy Central Powers/Triple Alliance - Britain, France, Russia Triple Entente Declaration of war Domino Effect: - Austria blamed Serbia for Archduke's death sent an ultimatum - Austria declared war on Serbia (shelled Belgrade) - Russians were on Serbia's side wanted to help Serbia defend itself; Germany warned Russia not to help Serbs - Germany declared war on Russia (also move army towards France, Belgium) - French army put on war footing, ready to fight German invasion - Germany declared war on France invasion of Belgium; Britain ordered withdrawal from Belgium - Britain declared war on Germany - Austria declared war on Russia **Who is to blame (why?)** **[Arguments in favor of Germany's responsibility:]** Foreign policy: - Aggressive foreign policy under Kaiser Wilhelm II aim for global dominance - Created tensions (especially Britain and France) The Schlieffen Plan: - The Schlieffen Plan (Plan to avoid a two-front war) invading France through Belgium (neutral) - Caused war to escalate brought Britain into conflict - Demonstrated Germany's willingness to wage war on two fronts Pressuring of Austria-Hungary: - After assassination of FF unconditional support to Austria-Hungary to act against Serbia - Encouraged and pressured Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia followed by chain reaction - *(Germany thought better to fight Russia sooner while Germany's military was at its strongest)* **[Arguments against Germany's sole responsibility:]** Alliance system: - Complex system of alliances war was made more likely - Russia mobilized in support of Serbia, France supported Russia, Britain entered due to Belgium's neutrality - Many nations involved in escalating conflict [Austria's quick decision-making following a chain reaction:] - Punishment against Serbia from Austria-Hungary direct cause of war - Declaration of war against Serbia triggered alliance system - Early/rapid mobilization of Russia along Austria-Hungary borders Germany saw itself forced to respond militarily, because of alliance - France revenge for defeat in Franco-Prussian war; prepared to support Russia against Germany - Britain only wanted to protect Belgian neutrality Nationalism/Imperialism: - Rising nationalism, imperial ambitions also key causes - Not only Germany (even if it was more ambitious than other countries) sought territorial/colonial expansions **Conclusion:** **Germany bears a significant share of the blame** **though World War I was a collective failure of diplomacy and leadership across Europe\ ** **Treaty of Versailles:** **Effects on Austria/Germany** Austria (Treaty of St Germain): - Signed armistice led to the end of hostilities between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Allies - Austria-Hungary was completely taken apart (lost a lot of land/power) - New nations such as Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Poland were created - Scared they could not survive without German support/protection - Military restrictions Limited to 30 000 troops -- no conscription, no heavy artillery, tanks, air force - Not allowed to unite with Germany - Required to pay reparations (almost impossible, because of weak economy) Germany: - Treaty of Versailles placed full blame for the war on Germany - Justified harsh reparations and territorial losses for Germany - Lost territory Alsace-Lorraine, Saarland, Colonies... - Limited Germany's military capability Army reduced to 100.000 troops; no conscription, no tanks/heavy artillery/air force, Navy limited to 6 battleships/no submarines - Rhineland Demilitarized zone (Germany could not station troops there) - Had to pay massive reparations leading to hyperinflation, extreme poverty, unemployment - No unification allowed with other German-speaking regions - Felt it was unfair they were blamed for the whole war humiliated, angry, betrayed **Good or Bad or problematic? Why?** Good Aspects: - Ended World War 1 - Took apart old imperial systems of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire new nations formed - Created the League of Nations global organization attempting to prevent future wars Bad Aspects: - Placed full blame on Germany massive reparations crippled its economy - Economic instability in Germany Germans became more prone to extremist ideologies - Military restrictions humiliated Germany (vulnerable, resentful) - Territorial losses led to weakening of industrial and agricultural base - Germany and Austria were prohibited from uniting - Deliberately weakened Germany to prevent future aggression Problematic Aspects: - Not strict enough to stop Germany from becoming powerful again, but it also wasn't fair enough to make peace and rebuild trust - U.S. did not join the League of Nations League lacked authority to enforce its goals, making it ineffective - France sought to cripple Germany and Britain wanting to preserve trade - Failed to resolve the underlying tensions that had caused the war - Treaty helped to create a cruel regime in Germany led to WW2 **Inter war Europe:** Weimar Republic: - Democratic government established in Germany after WW1, replacing German Empire - After War Germany should become more democratic in exchange for peace with the Allies - Kaiser first refused, after some uprising abdicated his throne Socialist leader Friedrich Ebert - New constitution allowed freedom of speech, worship, better working conditions, universal suffrage for both men and women - After problems with Ebert's way of governing new government under Stresemann (replaced worthless marks with new *Rentemark,* Dawes plan; receive loans from America to pay off reparations) [Good/bad/problems:] Good: - Under Dawes Plan Reparations were being paid and exports were on the increase - 1920s (Golden Years) a boom in art, literature, and cinema - Politics became more stable under Stresemann German people becoming reconciled to the way things are - Signing of Locarno Treaty (no trying to change Germany's western borders with France and Belgium) got them into the League of Nations - Began to reverse some terms of Treaty of Versailles (esp. reparations) Bad: - Threat from the left (Spartacists) wanted a Germany ruled by workers' councils or soviets - Uprisings were suppressed by Freikorps (anti-Communist ex-soldiers) - Ebert made agreement with Freikorps and army commanders to put down the rebellions - Many Germans blamed Ebert (for signing the Treaty) and his republic for Germany's problems - Threat from the right (Freikorps) were fond of Kaiser's dictatorial style of government - Kapp Putsch 500 Freikorps rebelled in Berlin (army refused to fire at them), Ebert's government seemed doomed - This caused a general strike, bringing the capital to a halt (no transport, power, water) Problems: - Because of Reparation payments economic chaos/struggling to rebuild economy - France became impatient with instalment payments, eventually entering the Ruhr and take raw materials and goods - Following a halt in industrial production lead to collapse of German currency - Hyperinflation printing more money, because of no trading goods - Prices and wages rocketed money became worthless - Rich people with savings suffered the most - Peasant farmers were overproducing after increasing production during war - Middle and lower class felt that Weimar republic offered them little - Villages/country towns culture of the cities seemed to represent a moral decline - Nazi and communist parties were building up - Hindenburg got elected as president openly against democracy **Austria in the interwar Years:** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |   | Party  | Militia  | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | **Left**  | [Social Democratic | ["Schutzbund" ]{.unde | | | Worker's Party | rline} | | | (founded | | | | 1889) ] | - 100 00 men in | | | | 1925  | | | - Working class | | | | (factory workers, |   | | | people that work | | | | in the public |   | | | services, lower | | | | paid...)  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fight for their | | | | rights!  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Look to Russia | | | | (Socialism)  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Controlled Vienna | | | | (Nickname: "Red | | | | Vienna")  | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Right**  | [Christian Social | ["Heim(at)wehr" ]{.un | | | Party ] | derline} | | | | | | | - 1892 to 1934 | - Similar to | | | (similar to ÖVP | Freikorps in | | | today) *Karl | Germany  | | | Lueger*  | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nationalist, | | | - Austrian | antidemocratic, | | | nationalists | but split about | | | (didn't want to | relationship to | | | be part of | Germany  | | | Germany)  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Accusations | | | | (antisemitic)  | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ [What happened in Schattendorf in 1927? ] - January 30^th^ , paramilitary group Frontkämpfervereinigung fired on unarmed workers/their families  - Happened during political clash (SDAP/KAP) killing war veteran/child  - Perpetrators not found guilty (outrage amongst SDAP), saw it as judicial bias/class-based injustice, favoring conservative groups  [What was the result? ] - Massive protests Vienna riots, July 15, 1927 (July Revolt)  - Burned the palace of justice (symbolic act -- perceived corruption/injustice)  - Government response violence, nearly 90 demonstrators killed, many injured  - Tension between socialists and conservatives (country pushed closer to civil conflict)  Aftermath: Exposure of Austrias fragile democratic institutions   Eventual rise of authoritarianism   [1934 Civil War ] - Austria had become really divided two factions (Schutzbund & Heimwehr) fought against each other  - Parliament became chaotic  - Engelbert Dollfuss (not a Nazi) suspends parliament and tries to confiscate weapons from the Schutzbund outlawing them (and the Heimwehr)  Failed democracy turn towards dictatorship (Dollfuss) [Dollfuß:] - Became chancellor (1932) to counter the instability caused by the Great Depression/political divisions - Faced external threats Germany wanted to unify the countries - Austrofacism sought to establish Austria as a Catholic, authoritarian state distinct from Nazi Germany wanted to suppress both communism and Nazism (threat to Austria's stability) - Used a procedural technicality to dissolve Austrian parliament ruling by decree - Banned Nazi party in Austria to avoid annexation - He prioritized maintaining conservative Catholic control avoid ideological extremism - Refusing free elections political suppression leading to civil war (1934) - Assassinated by Austrian Nazis left Austria politically unstable [Schuschnigg:] - Succeeded Dollfuß as Chancellor in 1934 - Continued the authoritarian policies of Austro-Fascism also closely aligned with catholic views - He lacked strong allies - Through increasing support for Hitler Schuschnigg's government got undermined - Unwillingness to help from France, Britain and later Italy as well - Attempted to maintain Austria's independence from Nazi Germany ultimately failed, leading to the annexation in 1938 [Divisions:] - Sharp divide between Socialists (urban working class) and Conservatives (rural, Catholic population) - Rise of paramilitary groups escalated violence [Ultimate outcomes:] - Austria became increasingly authoritarian under Dollfuss and Schuschnigg. - Ultimately, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938 during the Anschluss **Great Depression:** - Stock market in America crashed (investors were unable to repay their depts)  - Turning point for Germany (banks got asked to repay borrowed money from the Dawes Plan)  - Economic collapse massive unemployment, poverty, and disillusionment Weimar government  - Nazi's promises of jobs and stability (reduce unemployment, restore national pride); blaming Jews, communists, Treaty of Versailles for Germany's problems - Generally appealing to all groups (workers -- Jobs, middle class -- protection from communism, wealthy -- against communism/socialism)  - With help of propaganda, rallies, charismatic leadership à Hitler gained widespread support   **Rise of Hitler:** [Why:] - Got rejected from Art school - Developed strong hatred towards foreigners and Jews - Germans resented Treaty of Versailles (same as Hitler) he promised to overturn the treaty and restore Germany's former glory - Weimar Republic was seen as weak/ineffective/unstable (political divisions, frequent changes in leadership...) - Germans feared communist revolution like in Russia Hitler was strongly against communism - Many wanted Germany's pre-WW1 power back Hitler tapped into sentiments (blaming Jews, Communists...) [How:] - Came across German Workers' Party (DAP) joined in 1919 - Anton Drexler (leader) put him in Charge of Propaganda saw great talent in Hitler - Removed Drexler as leader in 1921: start of Nazi uprising - Built strong movement appealing to workers, farmers, middle class - Charismatic/powerful/mesmerizing speaker who could inspire large crowds/connect with people's frustrations - Exploitation of economic crisis promised jobs, living space, bright future - With help of propaganda, rallies, charismatic leadership à Hitler gained widespread support  - Largest single party in Germany at the end of 1932 (230 seats)  - Hitler was appointed Chancellor, because he had support in the Reichstag democracy was failing because of emergency powers - Conservatives believed they could control him while using his popularity - Claimed Reichstag fire was communist fault convinced Hindenburg to pass emergency decrees, eliminating civil liberties - Enabling Act was passed allowed Hitler to make laws without Reichstag for the next 4 years - Start of his totalitarian regime **Consolidating His Power:** [How:] - Exploited fire to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree, suspending civil liberties. - Enabling Act allowed Hitler to rule by decree sidelining the Reichstag - Night of the Long Knives Purge carried out by SS (Schutzstaffel) and Gestapo, targeting SA (Sturmabteilung) leaders and rivals, reinforcing control over the military and Nazi Party - Death of Hindenburg: Combined roles of Chancellor and President to become Führer. - Propaganda & Terror Used the SS, Gestapo, and propaganda to eliminate opposition and create a cult of personality [Successes:] - Reduction of unemployment through public work programs (construction, military rearmament...) - Hitler improved Germany's economy during the Great Depression by funding large projects and controlling industries to create jobs - Created a highly centralized and authoritarian government - Many Germans admired his strong leadership and credited him with restoring order - Withdrew from the League of Nations - Reoccupied the Rhineland violating the Treaty of Versailles without facing military retaliation - Annexed to Austria - Munich Agreement Acquired Sudetenland without war - Propaganda created an illusion of unity and prosperity under Nazi rule Social order [Propaganda:] - Joseph Goebbels (responsible for Propaganda) - Media control (newspapers, radio, films)  - Used rallies & speeches (Nuremberg Rallies) to demonstrate the Nazis power  - Posters Hitler pictured as "savior", emphasis on militarism and nationalism  - depicted as a heroic leader almost God-like  - Targeted messages were blaming Jews, communists for Germany's problems  - Promoted Volksgemeinschaft (national community) under Nazi ideologies - Censorship and suppression of opposing views Women: - Emphasized women as mothers and homemakers (slogan: Kinder, Küche, Kirche)  - Mother's cross awarded to women with many children, for 8 or more they got gold  - Loans were given to families to encourage childbirth  - Women were discouraged from working in professional roles to focus on raising strong, healthy Nazi youth  [Youth:] - Nazi education focused on military training, racial purity, and loyalty to Hitler  - History was rewritten to glorify Germany  - Boys: (Hitlerjugend/Hitler Youth) were trained for war and physical fitness Loyalty to Hitler, Nazi ideologies  - Girls (BDM/ League of German girls) earn domestic skills and prepare for motherhood  - Youth was brainwashed into supporting Hitler and informing on opponents of Hitler (even parents) [Jews:] - Hitler as Chancellor excluded from civil service, education, professions - Propaganda depicted Jews as subhuman, fueling hatred and justifying brutalities - Through Nuremberg Laws Jews were stripped of German citizenship, intermarriage was banned, "Jewishness" based on ancestry - Kristallnacht coordinated attack on Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes, resulting in deaths, arrests, and the destruction of property - Systematically persecuted, leading to the Holocaust death of about 6 million Jews **Hitler's Actions Leading to WWII:** - Rearmament Violated the Treaty of Versailles by rebuilding Germany's military - Reoccupied the Rhineland, Annexed Austria (Anschluss, 1938), demanded and seized Sudetenland and then the rest of Czechoslovakia - Invasion of Poland Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, prompting Britain and France to declare war. - Appeasement: Western powers (e.g., Britain and France) failed to stop Hitler's aggression earlier, emboldening him Hitler\'s long-term goals of expansion and domination were underestimated