Unit 10: Global Conflicts and Recoveries PDF

Unit 10: Global Conflicts and Recoveries Period: 1914 – 1950 Between the years 1914 and 1950, a series of global conflicts and recoveries took the world on a roller coaster ride of economic, political, and social changes. These are major turning points that define the first half of the 20th century...

Unit 10: Global Conflicts and Recoveries Period: 1914 – 1950 Between the years 1914 and 1950, a series of global conflicts and recoveries took the world on a roller coaster ride of economic, political, and social changes. These are major turning points that define the first half of the 20th century. (Introductory Video) The years between 1914 and 1950 are marked by the planet's first world wars. Total wars, absolute and complete. These world wars didn't come out of the blue. No. Before this era, there had been centuries of battles, smaller wars, and rivalries. War was certainly not new to human history, but the wars of the early 20th century were the most devastating conflicts humans had yet experienced. These wars were major turning points in the history of the modern world. The changes that happened after 1914 would be incredible, unbelievable, startling to many: the First World War, from 1914 to 1918 the Russian Revolution; the Great Depression; the rise of fascism; and the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945. And during this time, the Holocaust. Few events in human history were experienced on such a global scale. These events were major game changers As you learn about the events of the early 20th century, keep in mind these big world history questions: What is the nature of a "total war"? Could the world wars have been avoided? How did nationalism, imperialism, and industrialization prepare the way for the outbreak of World War I? How did the global balance of power shift following World War II? Lesson 10.1 Overview Objectives: Describe major historical turning points between 1914 and 1950, including World War I, World War II, the Russian Revolution, and the global depression. Identify geographic regions associated with the major turning points that took place between 1914 and 1950. Explain the significance of the shifting balance of power resulting from World War I and World War II. Extra Reading : Increasing-power-destruction - One Page Examining an Era of Global Conflicts and Recoveries Global conflict in the first half of the 20th century unleashed technology that changed the world — and warfare — forever. The preceding age of industrialization had not only changed the nature of human life but also the nature of human warfare. That was what World War I was like for many people. What Were the Major Turning Points Between 1914 and 1950? The first half of the 20th century was a period marked by events that altered the global balance of power. Exploring the Geography of World War I While there were certainly many important historical events that occurred between 1914 and 1950, the two world wars were perhaps the most dramatic. These conflicts — which engaged entire societies in a war effort, requiring each participating country to mobilize their whole populations, including civilians — are examples of total war. Though the loss of both life and resources had been high in previous conflicts, such losses increased to levels never before imagined when World War I erupted in 1914. The world wars were not only total wars but they were also global wars. Though European nations were involved in starting each, both conflicts were fought in countries around the world. The geographic regions impacted by World War I: Exploring the Geography of World War II Like World War I, World War II was fought on multiple fronts. Take note of similarities and differences between where each war was fought and the populations of people who were impacted Check Your Understanding of the Geography of the World Wars (Lesson 10.1.1 page 5 Interactive questions) Before moving on to look at the major turning points in the period of 1914 to 1950 in more depth, take some time to review the regions in which the key events of World War I and World War II occurred. True or False: World War I was fought on one front, while World War II was fought on two fronts. Which of the following countries switched alliances between World War I and World War II? A. France B. Japan C. Germany D. Great Britain During World War I, Japan had an alliance with Great Britain and France. During World War II, they were aligned with Germany. Which of the following statements is true? A. Japan played a larger role in World War II than in World War I. B. Japan played a smaller role in World War II than in World War I. What Differentiated World War I and World War II from Earlier Wars? When World War I began in 1914, entire populations of men were moved from production jobs to the military. Women replaced men in factories and other support jobs on the home front. Many factories switched from producing consumer goods to manufacturing supplies for the military. No aspect of society remained untouched by the fighting. Similar patterns occurred during World War II, which is why both wars are considered total wars. The world wars are not only called total wars because of the number of people who fought in them, but also because of the number of people who died in them. Unfortunately, the damage caused by both wars, both in terms of human casualties and in the destruction of entire cities, was unlike anything humans had experienced before. This destruction was largely the result of new weapons and military techniques made possible by industrialization. The Weapons and Military Methods of Total War: Trench Warfare, Chemical Weapons, Machine guns, Aircraft, Tanks, and Nuclear Bombs. (Lesson 10.1.1 page 6 – Interactive Images) Convincing Citizens to Participate in Total Wars How did governments get citizens to participate in something as horrific as total war? One common tactic many nations used to gather support for their efforts was propaganda. Such communication is designed to affect the way people think about an issue. It often appeals to emotion, especially pride and fear. Governments produced hundreds of propaganda posters during both world wars to gain citizens' support. Germany invaded Belgium and started the war, which means the war is Germany’s fault. Remembering who started it is a way to motivate people to help finish it. From Many Systems to One Global System It was not just the level of destruction caused by the world wars that made each an important turning point in world history. Equally significant was how these events shifted the balance of power — not only in Europe but worldwide. Balance of power before World War I: Before World War I, the world was made up of a number of separate, independent balance of power systems. These included the European, the Chinese, and the Indian systems. But World War I changed this and started moving world powers to a more integrated system. Balance of power after World War I: The integration of independent balance of power systems started with World War I when Britain, France, Russia, and (eventually) the United States formed an alliance. On the other side of the fight were Germany, Austria- Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The transformation to a single global system wouldn't be complete until after World War II, however. Balance of power after World War II: During World War II, the integration of powers continued as Germany, Japan, and Italy aligned together against the Soviet Union, Great Britain, France, China, and the United States. The end of World War II left most of Europe and many other parts of the world in ruins. Two new non-European superpowers emerged: the United States and the Soviet Union. This new balance of power paved the way for a global power struggle between capitalism and communism that would become known as the Cold War. Do you think the world was more stable after World War I or after World War II? An integrated balance of power system is more stable than numerous separate independent balance of power systems. This integrated system was not achieved until after World War II. What Happened Between World War I and World War II? Much of Europe had to be rebuilt during the interwar period, only to be destroyed again in World War II The interwar period between 1918 and 1939 was an era of great contrasts. World War I ended with a treaty, which declared that Germany was entirely to blame for the war and had to pay the Allies so much money for damages that its people became very poor. Some people were so frightened by the level of violence during the war that they tried to do away with war altogether. At one point, a few nations even tried to outlaw war. Other leaders, however, learned different lessons — they used the economic, social, and political instability of the interwar period to increase their power and prepare for new conflicts. This contributed to the rise of new radical ideologies in Europe. This was especially true in Germany, where resentment over the end of World War I left people willing to support almost anyone who would restore their sense of pride. Do you think the outcome of World War I helped anyone? Yes. It helped the Allies who won and received money from Germany. Maybe. The Allies won, but if Germany hadn't been punished so much, maybe it wouldn't have started World War II. No. It changed nothing and guaranteed there would be another war. The Rise of Fascism in Europe Another major turning point caused by World War I was the rise of new ideologies and political leaders. One such leader was Benito Mussolini, who became dictator of Italy. The ideology Mussolini supported is called fascism. Fascism promoted devotion to a strong leader, nationalism, and aggressive expansionism or imperialism. Fascism was opposed to communism, socialism, and democracy. To learn more about fascism, read a brief excerpt written by Mussolini for an Italian encyclopedia. (Lesson 10.1.1 page 10 – Text with questions) The Global Depression How Did an Economic Collapse Help Cause World War II? The decade after World War I was marked by great prosperity in many places, and during this time the economies of countries around the globe became increasingly interconnected. Loans from the United States had been key to the success of the Allies during the war. After the war, Germany’s payments for damages helped to rebuild the economies of the Allies. This interconnected economy had its strengths and its weaknesses. The world economy started to struggle in the mid-1920s due to an oversupply of agricultural goods and certain raw materials like rubber. The possibility of the economic collapse became imminent. It finally occurred on October 24, 1929, when the United States stock market crashed, spreading economic chaos around the world. An already unhealthy world economy couldn't stand the shock, and by the early 1930s, the world was deep into the Great Depression. This made the world rather vulnerable to another total war! In 30 words or fewer, why do you think the Great Depression made the world vulnerable to another war? Many answers are possible. When people are broke and frightened, they are more willing to follow dangerous leaders who promise to make things better. How might the way in which World War I ended helped set the stage for World War II? A. It made Germany angry. B. It made Great Britain angry. Was Anything Learned from World War I? World War I ended in a victory for the Allies, and yet just 20 years later, they found themselves once again at war with Germany. Could World War II have been avoided if Germany had been treated differently after World War I? World War I didn't really end up being the turning point that it could have been — a moment of positive change in the world as nations learned from the devastation suffered by Europe. Instead, World War I was followed just 20 years later by another total war: World War II. Some historians have held that World War II was a foregone conclusion because of the way World War I ended. Few nations were happy about the outcome, especially Germany, which received all of the blame. A global depression made it possible for new authoritarian ideologies to emerge from this dissatisfaction and set Europe on a course for war. Sixty Years Since the Last World War In 1945, the United Nations was created in order to help keep peace and build cooperation between nations following World War II. Unlike World War I, World War II did turn out to be a more significant turning point in world history. Fascism was crushed, and democracy spread throughout Western Europe. The invention and use of the atomic bomb made the cost of total war clear to the entire world and helped drive peace movements in many countries. The world would still see plenty of conflicts over the decades following World War II. But while only 20 years separated World War I and World War II, more than 60 years have passed since the end of World War II, and so far there hasn't been another total war that has even come close to matching it in terms of size and devastation. In 35 words or fewer, why do you think that after two "total wars" in a span of 20 years the world hasn't seen one since? Maybe the devastation of two total wars convinced enough people that total war alone was too risky, or perhaps the use of nuclear weapons and the creation of the United Nations were deterrents.  Summary (Lesson 10.1.1 page 14 video) Propaganda, large-scale political ideologies, and well-developed military technologies. All these factors and more led to a new type of war experienced in the first half of the 20th century: total war. Total war meant that all people, all parts of society were expected to be involved in the war effort. The first total war was World War I. This war was not simply between two or even three countries. It involved huge regions of the world. It also involved some major alliances. These alliances had been built for years and were one of the key causes of the war. On one side were the Central powers, including the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. The main Allied powers were Great Britain, France, and Russia. Italy, Serbia, Romania, and several other nations were secondary allies. The United States entered the war on the side of the Allies in 1917. The outcomes of World War I completely changed the balance of power in Europe. No other war in human history had changed the map of Europe so dramatically. Four empires disappeared. The populations of other European countries were devastated. World War I had major economic consequences: 1. Many nations lost major percentages of their working populations. 2. Central powers like Germany were forced to pay reparations to the Allies. But the impacts of the war did not end with economics. 3. There were also major social and political side effects. Many people feared the level of violence experienced during the war. There were attempts to create peace. But there were also movements to create conflict. And in the years between World War I and World War II, leaders emerged who took advantage of nationalist ideologies. To say that people could have done a better job resolving World War I is a bit of an understatement No one was really happy with the outcome. What this meant was that World War I didn't end up being the turning point it could have been. It could have been a moment of great change in the world. But instead, it was followed by another total war — World War II World War II took total war to a whole new level — to a nuclear level. Some of the main players were familiar — Germany, France, Britain, Russia — but this time even more countries devoted most all their resources to the war. And this time the war happened in Europe and in Asia. The outcomes of World War II were even more devastating than World War I but both wars reflected a major change in the way that civilizations addressed conflict. And these changes are reflected in some of the major themes of world history: the expansion of political and economic systems around the world. Being so deeply involved in war efforts, people's relationships with their governments were forever changed. Suddenly people were deeply aware of how much their safety depended on more than just their neighbor, but on countries everywhere. It was a stark new world and a period of time worth understanding. BIG PERIOD: Global Conflicts and Recoveries ca. 1914 – 1950 KEY REGIONS: Europe, United States, Soviet Union, Japan BIG THEMES: The expansion and interaction of political systems The creation and expansion of economic systems Understanding the Big Picture: 1914 to 1950 In the first half of the 20th century, military conflicts occurred on an unprecedented global scale. World War I and World War II were the first total wars that brought all of the warring nations' resources into play. This, combined with improved military technology and tactics, led to levels of wartime casualties and damage that had once seemed unimaginable. During the time period between the wars, a global depression and new ideologies emerged that forced nations around the world into new relationships. In the end, a new balance of power emerged with two non-European nations becoming the world’s dominant superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. Check your understanding of the major turning points that defined the period of 1914 to 1950 by completing the activity below. (Lesson 10.1.1 page 15) 1. One factor in making total war possible during World War I and World War II was the creation of new weapons that killed many more people than earlier wars. 2. Propaganda is a way countries appeal to their citizens' sense of pride or fear in order to get them to support total war. 3. In an effort to promote peace and prevent future global wars, the United Nations was established following World War II. 4. A major turning point between World War I and World War II was the rise of new ideologies, including fascism, which was promoted by Italy's Benito Mussolini. 5. Total war is when an entire society is mobilized in a war effort, including its civilians. 6. After World War II, the world went from having many independent balance of power systems to one that integrated the entire world.  Word Definition 1. Balance of power The ways in which economic, military, and political control are distributed among different states. A political and economic system in which the government owns all of the means of 2. Communism production, such as factories, mines, and farms. A form of government in which political power can be exercised equally by all citizens, 3. Democracy usually through voting on laws, policies, or leaders. It was first developed in the ancient Greek city-state of Athens. An authoritarian government characterized by extreme nationalism, aggressive 4. Fascism expansionism, and devotion to the state. Italy, Spain, and Germany had fascist governments prior to and during World War II. (1930s – 1940s) A worldwide economic crisis sparked by the collapse of the United 5. Great Depression States stock market. 6. Ideology A set of consistent beliefs, ideas, values, concerns, and goals. A policy in which a country extends its power and authority over foreign countries and 7. Imperialism colonies. The ways in which economic, military, and political control are distributed among 8. Industrialization different states. The belief that a group of people who share a language and culture form a single, 9. Nationalism unified nation. Nationalism often leads to a strong sense of loyalty to one's country or its people. Information of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a particular political 10. Propaganda cause or point of view. An economic system in which society, rather than individuals or corporations, controls 11. Socialism the means of production, such as factories. Socialist governments take an active role in managing and planning economies. The engagement of an entire society in a war effort, requiring the mobilization of the 12. Total war total population, including civilians, of each nation involved in the conflict. (1914 – 1918) The war between the Allied powers (including France, England, and the United States) and the Central powers (including Germany, the Austro-Hungarian 13. World War I Empire, and the Ottoman Empire). The war was notable for its mass casualties due to new types of weapons, the destruction of several empires, and the creation of the League of Nations in its aftermath. (1939 – 1945) The war between the Allied powers (including England, the United States, and the Soviet Union) and the Axis powers (including Germany, Italy, and 14. World War II Japan). The war saw tens of millions killed and the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as the world's superpowers.  Lesson 10.2 World War I was also known as the "Great War," not because it was a positive event but because it happened on a scale that the world had never seen before. More conflicts would break out involving more empires, killing more soldiers than any war in history. The war was not only "great" in terms of its size and devastation — its outcome would change the face of the world in previously unimaginable ways. In this lesson, you will explore the causes, characteristics, and effects of World War I. You will also look at how the war's end created conditions for an even greater change in the years that would follow Objectives Analyze the roles that imperialism, nationalism, militarism, and the alliance system played in causing World War I. Describe the major characteristics of World War I, including total war, trench warfare, modern military technology, and high casualty rates. Summarize the impact of World War I on political, economic, and social systems at the global level. Identify and describe the causes of the 1917 Russian Revolution and its impact on the outcome of World War I. Debate the idea that World War I was inevitable considering the nationalism, militarism, and imperialism of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Understanding the Role of Propaganda in War The British claimed the Lusitania was unarmed, but we now know that there were weapons on board. The Germans suspected this, and the German embassy in the United States had warned Americans to stay off the ship. This means Germany's attack on the ship was a legitimate act of war, and Britain knew it at the time. Even though Britain lied about not carrying weapons aboard the Lusitania, the event was turned into an effective rallying cry against Germany. This is a perfect example of how powerful propaganda can be. The purpose of war propaganda is to create citizen support for government actions. Without support from its citizens, a country would find it difficult to fight a war. Propaganda Posters WW1 (Lesson 10.2.1 page 4) What Was So "Great" About World War I? When World War I, also known as the "Great War," ended in 1918, it had become the biggest and bloodiest war the world had ever seen. For all the death and destruction that the war had caused, it had not resolved much: The same countries would be at war again less than a generation later. Many young soldiers who survived World War I were called upon by their countries to risk their lives again in World War II. In 1905, writer and philosopher George Santayana famously wrote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."1 This is one of the most important reasons we study history. Why Was Europe So Ready to Fight? The causes of World War I are varied and complex, but the final event that pushed Europe into open conflict was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the empire of Austria-Hungary. After decades of competition among countries, Europe was more than ready for a fight. This was especially true of Europe's most powerful nations: Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary. Historical context: Age of Exploration, 15th to 17th Centuries: European countries explored and colonized large parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas during the Age of Exploration. During this era, there was a lot of competition among countries to claim as much of the world as possible. European colonization led to the worldwide distribution of goods and ideas. But it also had devastating impacts such as the decimation of a large percentage of indigenous populations in the Americas due to diseases transported by Europeans. Industrial Revolution, Late 1700s to Late 1800s: The Industrial Revolution was a period of intense expansion for the whole world as the economy switched to producing more manufactured goods. European countries were in competition with one another to design better, faster machines and to establish colonies to supply natural resources. Technological advances led to the development of railroads during the Industrial Revolution. The ability to transport goods more quickly across vast expanses of land increased both the supply and demand for goods from around the globe. Napoleonic Wars, 1803 to 1815: As France's emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte conquered large portions of Europe, using conscription, or the draft, to staff his army. This was the first time that mass conscription, a form of the draft in which citizens are required to join the military, had been used in modern times. It set the stage for the draft in World War I. Napoleon's decision to invade Russia during the cruel winter of 1812 was a turning point that ultimately led to the defeat of France's armies in 1815. The Balkan Wars, 1912 to 1913: The Balkan Wars were two separate events that contributed to the decline of the Ottoman Empire. What's important in terms of World War I is how European powers reacted to the Balkan Wars and how suspicious they became of one another. Alliances were made and broken, secret deals were brokered, and in general trust was lost. Because of its central location, prime water access for shipping, and other complex reasons, the Balkans were of major interest to European powers. Alliances, 1914: World War I was fought between members of the Triple Entente, which included France, Britain, and Russia, and the Triple Alliance, which included Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. Secret and complex treaties required these countries to fight for one another, even if they didn't necessarily agree with the cause. Major causes of World War I Historians generally identify four major causes of World War I: imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and the alliance system. 1. Imperialism: During the 1800s, powerful European nations practiced imperialism to secure as many new territories as possible. They wanted natural resources, inexpensive labor, and new markets for their manufactured goods. On the borders between European empires, clashes broke out over who would have access to those precious resources. Germany started its imperial activity later than other European countries and aggressively tried to catch up with Great Britain, France, and Russia. At the same time, the fading Ottoman Empire lost control of much territory during the Balkan Wars, which resulted in even more conflict in Europe. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, European countries staked claims to territories across the globe in acts of imperialism. --- During the 180s, European nations tried to secure as many new territories as possible. --- Germany tried to prevent France from taking control of Morocco. 2. They also increased the size of their militaries to enforce ownership of these lands. This race to build ever-larger armies and navies is called militarism. When tensions rose between countries, it became much more likely that fighting would break out if those nations had large armies. Two of the fiercest competitors in this arms race were Germany and Great Britain. --- Germany built up its navy in order to compete with Great Britain’s navy. --- Great Britain increased the size of its navy. 3. Nationalism: Before and during the 1800s, it was common for multiple cultures and languages to exist in one empire. During the period leading up to World War I, however, many ethnic groups began to push for their independence from larger countries. During the first decades of the 20th century, nationalist movements arose in Spain, Turkey, China, Russia, Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Regions within these empires demanded countries of their own. And, depending on whether or not it was in their best interests, sometimes a Great Power or two would help these groups win their independence. The effects of these national movements were felt especially strongly in the Ottoman Empire, which had shrunk dramatically by 1913. This change would have serious implications for Europe's balance of power. --- Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand was assasinated by a Bosnian Serb who wanted Austria-Hungary to withdraw from Bosnia and Herzegovina. --- The Ottoman Empire lost control of Greece in 1830, Serbia in 1867, and Bulgaria in 1878.  4. Alliance system: This was a series of sometimes secret alliances made between European countries from 1879 to 1914 that required one country to come to the aid of an ally country that had been attacked. This alliance system was especially important because much of Europe's balance of power shifted during this time. This term describes how economic, military, and political control are distributed among different countries. When the balance is stable, conflict is less likely since each country understands its relationship to other countries. When the balance is shifting, things are less stable as countries maneuver to maximize their influence and power. Great Britain had been the most dominant European power since the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815. However, Germany was quickly gaining power after it became unified in 1871, while the Ottoman Empire was in decline. As a result of this and other power shifts, a complex alliance system emerged --- Russia had promised to defend Serbia from attack, so Russia became involved in the conflict once Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. --- After Germany declared war on Russia, France was obligated to mobilize its army. --- Belgium asked Britain to protect it from German invasion. An alliance system is when countries create alliances that require one country to aid another country that has been attacked. (Nationalism, Imperialism, A balance of power) The balance of power changes when economic, military, and political control between countries changes. (imperialist system, alliance system, religious, nationalism) Imperialism Competition for territory leads to tensions among European powers.done Nationalism European empires are weakened by demands for independence.done Militarism European powers build strong armies and navies to protect their interests.done Alliance system Allied countries are required to defend one another in case of attack. Two sides of the conflict: The Triple Alliance & The triple Entente During the late 1800s, the kaiser of Germany and the emperor of Austria-Hungary became allies. In 1879, Germany and Austria-Hungary formed the Dual Alliance. In 1882, Italy joined, creating the Triple Alliance. During World War I, they were known as the Central powers. The Triple Entente From 1904 to 1914, a series of agreements created the Triple Entente between Russia, France, and Great Britain in response to the formation of the Triple Alliance. France, which had lost a war to Germany in 1871, was concerned about further German aggression. Russians were also concerned about the Germans and their alliance with Austria-Hungary. Great Britain was worried that the Triple Alliance would destroy the balance of power in Europe. The Triple Entente became known as the Allied forces during World WarI. The outbreak of World War 1 The Balkan Peninsula in southeast Europe was home to many countries and territories, including Greece, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It had long been a region prone to conflict as different empires struggled to control it. In the late 19th century, Serbia had freed itself from the Ottoman Empire, and during the Balkan Wars it added to its territory. Meanwhile, Austria-Hungary was also trying to control areas that had once been controlled by the Ottomans. In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, causing Serbian nationalism to rise because Bosnia and Herzegovina had a large Serbian population. One small group of Serbian nationalists decided to take action against Austria-Hungary. In 1914, they assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Just five weeks later, all of Europe was at war! In a nutshell - Major factors that led to the high levels of devastation and casualties associated with World War I: advanced weapons and trench warfare. - Total war impacts all aspects of society and how countries used propaganda to influence their citizens to participate. Because of new technology, World War I casualties were much higher than in previous wars. (soldiers, expenses, orders, officiers) The most effective weapon in trench warfare was poisonous gas. (a machine gun, a tank, an airplane) War propaganda showing the enemy as evil helped build the home country's sense of nationalism. (strategies, boredom, imperialism, weapons) Practicing total war meant that all segments of society were involved in the war effort. (imperialism, the government, propaganda, militarism, imperialism, religion) Most of the fighting on the French-Belgian border took place in trenches. (mountains, desert, at sea, on colonial land) The use of submarines allowed the Germans to attack military and civilian ships. (machine guns, planes, tanks, cities, poisonous gas) Germany Tries to Avoid Fighting on Two Fronts Key events that occurred during the war: Germany knew fighting a two-front war against France and Russia would be very difficult. German strategists thought that France could be defeated quickly and that Russia would take a long time to mobilize its troops. So, on July 30, 1914, the German military launched a massive invasion of France. This became the western front of the war. Germany had put all its eggs in one basket. If France could be defeated in a few weeks, then the German army could switch gears to stop the Russian advance on the other side of Europe. Unfortunately for Germany, France and Great Britain used cars and trains to rush troops to meet the German attack on the western front. Then, trench warfare created a stalemate lasting for four long years. Russia Joins the Fight But there was more bad news for Germany: Thanks to the same new technologies that allowed French and British forces to repel German attacks, the Russian army was able to mobilize faster than Germany thought possible. Russia's first fight against the German province of East Prussia started on August 17, 1914, just two weeks after Germany had declared war on France. Not long after, Russia was clashing with Germany's ally, Austria-Hungary. This left Germany in the weak position it had hoped to avoid — fighting a war on two fronts. The United States stayed neutral for as long as it could, but Germany continued to use its submarines (called U- boats) to attack ships carrying U.S. citizens. This made it hard for America to stay out of the war. Germany tried to send a secret telegram to the Mexican government in January 1917. The telegram was an attempt to get Mexico to attack the United States and keep it out of the war. The telegram was intercepted by the British, and President Woodrow Wilson released the content of the telegram to the public. People were furious. On April 6, 1917, the United States officially entered World War I The Zimmerman Telegram was just another effort by the Triple Alliance to keep the United States out of the war. Meanwhile, the Triple Entente had been trying just as hard to get the United States to enter the war. This was because America had a large navy and army that could tip the war in favor of the Allies. When the United States officially declared war in April 1917, it was a huge blow to the Triple Alliance. After fighting for years, European countries had lost many soldiers and resources. The U.S. army was fresh and its resources were largely untapped, two huge advantages for the Triple Entente. Once major reinforcements began arriving — as many as 10,000 U.S. troops a day by the spring of 1918 — the war quickly started tipping in the favor of the Allied powers. A Hard Peace Humiliates Germany By the fall of 1918, the Allied powers were close to victory. To avoid a total military defeat, Germany decided to sign a humiliating peace deal. On November 11, 1918, Germany agreed to an armistice to put a stop to the fighting. Peace, however, proved far more difficult to achieve than Germany had imagined. Both Britain and France were upset about the war and wanted revenge for the many people who had died or been injured at Germany's hands. France was especially angry because much of the fighting had taken place on French soil. The war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed in France on June 28, 1919. As part of the peace deal, Germany was forced to dismantle its army, give up large sections of its territory, and pay its former enemies billions of dollars in damages. This harsh punishment would further batter the damaged German economy — and have terrible consequences for the future of Europe. Although the wounds of war led many to seek peace, the harsh terms for that peace led others to seek revenge. In Germany, some felt their country had been tricked into signing an unfair peace treaty, and they resented it. It was this resentment, along with economic problems resulting from the treaty's terms, that would ultimately plunge Europe into war yet again. In 30 words or fewer, how might the harsh punishment Germany received have contributed to Germany declaring another war just 20 years later? Germany was humiliated by the treaty and had nearly all its power taken away. It's not surprising that eventually it would try to regain the power it had lost What four elements contributed to the outbreak of war in 1914? The four elements were imperialism and the struggle over colonies, increased militarism, the rise of nationalism, and the many secret treaties that compelled countries to go to war. Why was the number of casualties so much higher during World War I than in previous wars? New military technologies such as airplanes, tanks, machine guns, and poisonous gas resulted in large numbers of war casualties. What makes a war a total war? When a country is engaged in total war, its entire society is affected by the war effort. Why did the war last as long as it did? Trench warfare created a stalemate. Some of the front lines moved very little during the course of the war. Could World War I have been avoided? seems doubtful since there had been so many factors that pushed countries toward conflict, including competition over natural resources, building up such large armies, increased nationalism and movements for independence, and secret alliances that pushed countries to declare war once fighting broke out. The End of War After four years of fighting and millions of lives lost, World War I finally ended and the soldiers went home. But the world that had existed before the war was hardly recognizable to those still alive in its aftermath: Eastern France and much of Belgium were in ruins. Germany's economy was in shambles; it would be forced to bear the burden of responsibility for the whole war, and it would lose a large chunk of territory and all of its colonies. The Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary were divided into new, smaller nation-states. The once-great empire of Russia had crumbled. The entire Romanov dynasty — a family that had ruled Russia for over 300 years — had been executed during a revolution. After many long years of war, Germany's defeat in World War I seemed inevitable once the United States joined the side of the Allied powers. But the planning for what shape Germany's surrender would take and for the reordering of power in Europe and the world began long before then. A few months before declaring war on Germany, American president Woodrow Wilson said the following in a speech to Congress: Only a tranquil Europe can be a stable Europe. There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized common peace.... The statesmen of both of the groups of nations now arrayed against one another have said... that it must be a peace without victory.... Victory would mean peace forced upon the loser.... It would be accepted in humiliation.... Only a peace between equals can last.1 What do you think Wilson meant by “peace between equals?” He didn’t want to punish Germany for the war. Fighting in World War I wouldn't end until 10 months after Wilson's historic speech. A truce or armistice was signed by the warring countries on November 11, 1918, on a small train car in a French forest. However, the war did not officially end until over seven months later when the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Paris Peace Conference. When they agreed to peace negotiations, the Central powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire believed that the final treaty would be based on Wilson's Fourteen Points. They would soon learn they were very mistaken. Europe's Vision of Peace is Quite Different from Woodrow Wilson's American president Woodrow Wilson did not want any one country held responsible for the war, but many leaders in Europe disagreed with his proposal for a "gentle peace." Allied leaders had spent over four years watching their economies crumble and their citizens die on battlefields; they were in no mood for a gentle peace with the countries they blamed for the war. They especially wanted Germany to pay, and they made their feelings known at the Paris Peace Conference, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed. An Organization Whose Goal Was Lasting World Peace A primary element of Wilson's Fourteen Points speech — which is still considered a shining example of U.S. diplomacy and idealism — was the creation of the League of Nations. The League of Nations was founded in 1919 after the Paris Peace Conference. It was the first international organization whose entire purpose was to establish a lasting world peace. Its main goals were:  To prevent war through shared security and the control of weapons. To settle international conflicts through negotiation. Although the idea for the League of Nations originated in a speech by an American president, the United States Congress refused to join the organization. Congress members felt that the loss of power was too big a price to pay for collective security. The League lasted for 27 years. Despite some successes, it ultimately failed in preventing another world war and was dissolved in 1946. In spite of this failure, the League of Nations represented an important movement toward global peacekeeping efforts. (Lesson 10.2.4 page 7) Effects on Germany When Germany agreed to negotiate for peace, its leaders were hopeful that the talks would be based on the Fourteen Points. Instead, the Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to accept several harsh terms. For example: Germany was forced to accept all blame for World War I, terms that many Germans viewed as a humiliation. Germany was forced to pay reparations to compensate for Allied losses. Paying off this huge sum of money weakened Germany's economy for years. Other nations were encouraged to limit their weapons, but the treaty forced only Germany to limit its army and eliminate its navy. German ships could be used only for commercial shipping. Germany's size and population were reduced by about 10 percent. Portions of Germany were given to France, Belgium, Poland, and Denmark. It also lost colonies in Africa, China, and the Pacific. The German people were outraged, but the nation was in no position to oppose the terms of the treaty. Unfortunately, the effects of this forced peace would have long-term consequences for Europe The Allies Take Over German and Ottoman Territories The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to give up some of its land, including all of its colonies and territories in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Control of these lands was split between France and Great Britain using the mandate system, which was enforced by the League of Nations. A mandate was an authorization that allowed an Allied nation to govern a former German or Ottoman colony. Before and during peace negotiations, the Allied powers said they were not interested in expanding their empires. In theory, the mandate system was supposed to help the indigenous populations of those lands regain their independence. However, France and Great Britain added most of these lands to their empires and were able to profit from their natural resources, cheap labor, and new markets. In this sense, France and Great Britain were extending imperialism, one of the primary causes of World War I. Austria-Hungary Before and After World War I The mandate system was one outcome of the Treaty of Versailles. Another major outcome was based on the principle of self-determination. This principle states that groups of people with common ties such as language and cultural practices should be allowed to govern themselves. Following the advice of President Woodrow Wilson in his Fourteen Points, Europe redrew its map based on ethnic and cultural lines. Regions with ethnic majorities were allowed to create and control their own nations. After World War I, Austria-Hungary was broken up into a number of smaller nation-states as a result of the self- determination policy of the Treaty of Versailles. Austria-Hungary was dismantled as a result of the new policy of self-determination. Smaller nations such as Czechoslovakia were formed using perceived ethnic boundaries, along with the new countries of Austria and Hungary. Parts of northeastern Austria-Hungary were ceded to the reformed country of Poland. It’s important to note, however, that despite attempts to create nation-states for specific ethnic groups, the division of Austria-Hungary didn’t go perfectly. Czechoslovakia, for example, included Czechs and Slovaks, as well as a sizable German population. Later in the 20th century, the desire for Czechs and Slovaks to have their own countries would cause conflicts in the region. Today, the land formally called Czechoslovakia is made up of two countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Identifying the Effects of the Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles was designed to create and keep peace in Europe, with most European areas allowed to self-govern through self-determination. Other territories continued to be ruled by European powers via the mandate system. Nationalism Weakens a Powerful Empire Austria-Hungary was not the only empire dismantled by the war. The Ottoman Empire, which had existed for about 600 years, also collapsed at the end of World War I. The Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913, as well as other conflicts fueled by nationalism, had already rocked the Ottoman Empire before the onset of World War I. During the war, the Ottomans fought alongside the Central powers. After the war ended, the Allied powers took control of former Ottoman territory, including Arabia, Syria, and Palestine. These areas were not granted the rights of self-determination; instead, control over them was divided according to the mandate system. Wilson's Fourteen Points Wilson's Fourteen Points advocated lenient treatment of Germany in ending the war. Germany might have been encouraged to negotiate peace terms because it believed that the terms of the treaty would be similar to the plan outlined by Wilson. How were the terms of the Fourteen Points and the Treaty of Versailles different? The Fourteen Points suggested that all nations would be treated equally after the war, both politically and economically. However, the Treaty of Versailles singled out Germany for punishment, forcing it to pay large sums of money, reduce the size of its military, give up its colonies, cede some territory to other nations, and accept all blame for the war. Word Definition 1. Armistice An agreement made by opposing sides in a war; a truce. 2. Crimean War (1853 – 1856) A war between the Russian Empire and an alliance composed of France, Great Britain, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. It is considered one of the first modern wars; it is also one of the first wars to be extensively documented. 3. Fourteen Points A speech given by President Woodrow Wilson in January 1918 that stated the (1918) reasons for fighting World War I and explained what the Allies hoped to gain in the peace with the Central powers. 4. Paris Peace A conference among the Allied powers of World War I to discuss the peace terms Conference (1919) for the defeated Central powers. The participants imposed war reparations on Germany and created the League of Nations. 5. League of Nations An international organization formed after World War I to prevent future wars. It (1919 – 1946) failed to stop World War II and disbanded after the war. 6. Treaty of Versailles Treaty between Germany and the Allied powers to end World War I. The treaty (1919) required Germany to pay reparations, demilitarize, and give up territory. The treaty also created the League of Nations, the predecessor to the United Nations. 7. Woodrow Wilson (1856 – 1924) The 28th president of the United States. His policies were designed to keep the economy stable and regulate the size and activities of business. He led the United States during World War I, and attempted to shape the postwar period with his Fourteen Points.