World War I Notes PDF

Terms to Remember - World War I Unit: Seminal: Strongly influential -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- World War I: Introduction: - Destroyed the way lots of systems worked - Changed the way wars were fought (modernised)...

Terms to Remember - World War I Unit: Seminal: Strongly influential -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- World War I: Introduction: - Destroyed the way lots of systems worked - Changed the way wars were fought (modernised) - Introduction of war technology (aircrafts, guns, tanks, etc.) - Most dangerous conflict (global conflict) - Rise of imperialism: Extending country’s power Canada and World War I: - July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918 (Remembrance Day) - 1815 - Most of Europe engaged in a continent wide war - Napoleon - Wanted to control Europe - 19th century - Any conflict (war) with the Europeans would have a global aspect because all of the world had been colonised by 1 European power (Asia, etc.) - Except for United States and South America - Canada became a nation in 1887 - Created a government - Canadian government was responsible for its own domestic affairs - 1981 - Canada’s policy still controlled under London - Britain declared war (1914) → Canada was at war as well (so as Australia, India, etc.) - Canada dragged into a conflict that did not have anything to do with the North American continent - People with money, power, and influence in Canada believed they were British - Supported the idea of this war 19th Century European Peace: - 1815 to 1914 - No major European war - Splendid Isolation: British didn’t need to worry about Europe because they wouldn’t be dragged into any conflict - A balance of power - Dominant European Powers:  1. France 2. Russia 3. Austro-Hungarian Power - Very different sizes and industry - Still same strength - No point of going to war - No one would win - Balance of power allowed them to ignore Europe - Unification of Germany (1871) changed this situation Unification and Rise of Germany: - Upsets the balance of power that maintained the peace in Europe - Countries are willing to go to war to maintain their power - Otto Von Bismarck - Didn’t believe in royal marriages, etc. - Believed politics should be determined by blood and steel - “Donald Trump” of 19th century - Worried about what was possible - Wanted to overshadow Russia, France, and Austro-Hungary - Convinced tiny German principalities if united into a single empire they can beat France - In order to make it happen → Prussia picked a war with France and won - France seen as Europe’s great power - New fear that Germany (Otto Von Bismarck) would be the “new Napoleon” - Threat to Britain Wilhelm II: - Emperor of Germany (constitutional monarchy) - German kaiser - No role in international affairs - Felt that their influence should be much greater than they were - Grandmother → Queen Victoria (Wanted to have as much power as Britain) - Wanted global power status (Do anything and no one can stop you) - British had largest navy in the world - Protect their country and was everywhere (acted like an international police force) - United States and Germany - Had industrial technology and money to overthrow Britain’s navy - BUT - USA didn’t want to be a global power  - Wilhelm and Germany built a massive campaign to overthrow Britain’s navy Imperialism: - Extending a country’s power over another - Germany feels shut out - Didn’t have an empire - 1914 - Most of the world colonised - Meant that European conflict would be global - Hyper competitive Nationalism: - Extremely aggressive patriotism - Desire for power/independence - A belief in your nation’s importance - Overconfidence/prideful - Common attitude in Europe Militarism: - Aggressive buildup of weapons - Macho attitude - 1990 - Every European nation was militaristic - Militaries influential in a government - War seen as a solution of problems - Modern Times - War as a last resort - Past - War was “cool” and needed - Train a soldier to never panic and keep going (good for wars) - Bayonet: A gun (musket) and a sword (not very good aim) - Machine gun used - Everyone killed (French and British didn’t stop - Germans were on French soil and wanted to get them out) - Dug trenches to hide from machine guns Alliances: - Two hostile camps (WHICH COUNTRIES ARE ON WHICH SIDE) - The Triple Alliance - Germany, Austria, and the Ottoman Empire - The Triple Entente - France, Russia, and Britain (Italy after 1915) - Other European countries neutral (Neutrality means business with both sides - not picking sides) - ex. Nazis didn’t invade Switzerland - Switzerland was useful for Germany for a neutral nation (Germany made purchases around the world through Switzerland - France and Russia believed they had more power with alliances (beat Germany and never start a war again)  - Germany saw this as a defensive threat - Looked for allies - Wanted Britain - Britain didn’t want to help Germany - Only had weak and old Austria The Balkans: - The war began here - Serbia had gained independence from Ottoman Empire - Wanted independence for Serbians living in Austrian Empire - Serbia backed by Russia Archduke Franz Ferdinand: - Austrian heir (Nephew of the emperor) - Assassinated - June 28, 1914 - Sarajevo Bosnia - Gavrilo Princip - Black Hand - Crisis led to World War I The July Crisis (1914): - Franz Ferdinand and wife assassinated (Austro Hungarian) by the Black Hand (gang) from Serbia - Austria used assassination as an excuse to attack Serbia - Germany gave “Blank Cheque” - Russia backed Serbia - France backed Russia - Russians mobilised… - Germany backed Austria - Berlin panicked because of Schlieffen Plan - Not beat Russia and France if they were both attacking - Realised Russia was old and less modern (knew they could beat Russia if they just fought Russia and same for France) - Took advantage of Russia’s “slowness” and would take out France within 6 weeks (be prepared to knock out Russia before Russia was ready) → KNOW AS THE Schlieffen Plan - Knock out Russians in 6 weeks and the rest in a couple of weeks - Germany decided war was inevitable and engage Schlieffen Plan - Russia made error (mobilisation turned into war) - If Russia and Germany stayed out = no war  - Belgium - neutral country (Germans wanted to pass through Belgium to get to France) - German troops pouring through Belgium (Belgium thought they were invading) - If Belgium attacked = Britain would help attack (Germans didn’t know) - Belgium's resisted - derailed Schlieffen Plan by 2 weeks - French and British waited for them (Germans advance to France halted - Germany got its fatal situation of two front war) - World War I August 1914 to November 1918 (all triggered by this Serbian assassination) The Guns of August: - The Chains of Friendship - Countries coming to aid their allies thinking they’re doing the right thing (Russia to Serbia, France to Russia, Britain to Belgium, etc.) Steps for World War I: 1. Austria declared war on Serbia 2. Germany declared war on Russia 3. Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium to get to France quickest (Schlieffen Plan) 4. Britain declared war on Germany (to help Belgium) 5. France declared war on Austria 6. Britain declared war on Austria Canada Responds: - Control over domestic affairs but not foreign stuff (no control over war) - Response of Canada is the same as other capitals and countries - Canada’s thoughts: Take Germany down and return to normal duties - Prime minister asked to send troops - more people than expected volunteered - Motivation for Canadians to sign up: A sense of excitement, patriotism, honour, etc. - Before cities and factories took over - Canadians who volunteered thought of this as a free trip to Europe (usually lived on farms) - Quebecois - only Canadians to say no - abandoned by France (didn’t want to help them in the war) - Saw them as a North American nation - Women weren’t allowed to fight (men would be more focused on protecting them) - Indigenous or people of colour not allowed to fight Boot Camp: - ValCartier Quebec - Canadian guys all went to this boot camp - realised they all had a lot in common and wanted to show what a Canadian boy can do (convinced they are good soldiers and wipe European soldiers off the map) - National identity emerged - Britain expected Canadians to join ranks - Canada demanded separate units - Underestimated the Europeans (thought they were just weak city boys) - British officers and Canadian troops (enlisted men vs career officers) - Very deadly - Idea: Canadians entered this war as a colony and left as a country - Young Canadian troops - saw themselves as British - Went to England and realised they weren’t British The War Measures Act: - Suspended civil rights (arrest people who might be a risk - arrested just because of ethnicity - enemy country, spying, etc.) - Some 6000 Germans, Austro Hungarians, and Turks sent to Internment Camps - Women first having legal authority over men (BLUEBIRDS) - Enlisted vs officer (more enlisted) - Florence Nightingale --> Built hospitals and focused on sanitation (instead of reusing used bandages she used new linen) Clearing Centre: Triage (Who First Treated?) 1. Walking Wounded 2. Immediate Attention 3. Not gonna live (waste of care - not gonna survive) - Walking wounded treated first - talented soldiers who need to fight (would be a waste of talent) - Soldiers knowing they have access to healthcare - allows them to take more risks, fight harder, etc. - Soldiers start the war assuming that machine guns add benefits - took it unseriously and didn't think they would be very effective - Battle of Somme - Largest use of artilery, used ancient techniques, etc. War in the Air: - Planes were new in World War I - Zeppelins (most common form or airtime) and Biplanes - Spying - Pistols and grenades - "Dogfights" - 5 kills made you an "ace" - Life expectancy 3 weeks - Billy Bishop - Manfred Von RIchthofen (The Red Baron) --> Von represents authority --> Aristrocrat War At Sea: - Britain's vulnerable spot --> shipping (enough food and supplies) - Massive naval power - Germany noticed and destroyed as much British shipping --> focus of the war so Britain would surrender - Submarines as main weapon - Find way through Atlantic Ocean (bigger than land) - Keeping sea lanes open - Another ship larger than Titanic that sunk in 15 minutes - German "U-boats" sunk Lusitania - Lusitania --> thousands on board with Americans - America joined the war (after saying they wouldn't) - Naval ships starving out the enemy by blockading (ex. British ports) - Britain was able to do it to Germany (they surrendered --> starving) - British blockaded German harbours - France didn't allow food to be shipped into Germany - "Unrestricted submarine warfare" - US threatens war - Sonar and convoys - "Merchant Marines" The War At Home: - Men were fighting at war so it gave women an opportunity to work outside the home - Economy booming --> all manufacturing done for the war shipped overseas (weapons, food, uniforms, etc.) --> made in factories by women - Finally paid jobs for women --> women loved it - Munitions workers/Blue Devils - Demands for better conditions - Bounds - No one gives you power but you have to make it - Women were running Canada's economy--> Wanted economic power for working in factories to help the war - Women wanted to vote for a long time or else they wouldn't help the war --> Leverege (power to change) - Income tax --> take percentage from income to help fund WWI (useful so it is still going on today) - No need if you make less than 20k per year (or homeless) - ex. Working at Cactus Club to make 12k per year but Cactus Club takes taxes away automatically --> File income tax report to get the tax money back - WWI and WWII --> Canada had to pay for WWI but it was very expensive - Canada had to borrow from US The War and Suffrage: - The war gave women political and economic power - 1916: Provincial - Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC - 1917: Federal - White and related to soldiers - 1918: Federal - Most English speaking and 21 - French (women in Quebec) didn't have leverage yet - Last group of people allowed to vote were Indigenous women living on reserves War Propaganda: - Propaganda: Tools for advertising to change public opinion - 2 Major Purposes: - Support the war and Increase recruitment - Major Tactics: - Glamourized war, Honour /Duty, Accusations of cowardice, and Atrocities Halifax Disaster (December 6, 1917): - Canada's worst disaster - Imo struck the Mont-Blanc - Mont Blanc caught fire - People went to look - Mont Blanc exploded - 2000-3000 killed (1600 instantly) - 9000 wounded in city of 50,000 - Many doctors, nurses, hospitals needed THE CONSCRIPTION CRISIS -1917 - Critical troop shortage - hard to find soldiers because people knew how dangerous it was and didn't want to leave their good jobs - Few volunteers due to casualty rates, huge salaries and farm profits - Britain begged Canada for reinforcements - PM Bordern forced to consider the draft (conscription) - Quebecers incensed - English Canada incensed at Quebec - Borden made conscription an election issue - Russia left and Germany focused on Western Front THE 1917 ELECTION “FIXED”: - Military Voters Act - Gave vote to men and women serving in Europe - Wartime Elections Act - Gives the vote women related to servicemen - No vote for objectors and immigrants - Party Platforms - Conservatives ( Union Party) pro draft - Liberals against the draft Russian Revolution: - March 1917 - Tsar overthrown and forced to resign - Military had enough with Tsar leadership - Tsar had no power without military - forced to step down - October 1917 - Communist Revolution - workers in Russia (including women) had enough --> mass protests and strikes (at this time of war this was unheard of) - Fake leather out of cardboard - super desperate - Communists signed peace treaty with Germany - Major Ally lost - Fear of Communism US Enters the War: - April 2, 1917 - Unrestricted submarine warfare - Zimmerman Telegram - Germany told Mexico to fight against the US to distract them but US got mad and declared war on Germany Canada's Last 100 Days: - Germany wanted to give one last push - Operation Michael - Operation Michael got in 75 km of Paris - never made it (couldn't fight any longer and lost) - Germany losing 500,000 men a month - Germans thought they would win and was told that - 300,000 Americans arrived every month - By 1918 - German military was losing and they knew - Non stop Allied victories against Germany - No enemy troops on German soil - Germany defeated Russia and was fighting but they didn't know why they were losing - Germany wanted to go the government to quit and surrender - no one did - German kaiser and Austrian Emperor - Germany became a republic Wilson's 14 Point Plan: - Wanted to create peace - War to end all wars - A truce for everyone to stop fighting and where Germany would be treated equally - Emphasis on everyone to stop fighting and lasting peace - Create organisation of League of Nations - Countries can have their problems solved without having to go to war (deal) - Hope for new world order - All nationalism, war, etc. washed away with blood - Arbitration - Germany thought this was the deal Armistice Day: - This is why we have rememberance day - end of fighting - 11 am 11 November 1918 - Fighting is over - All powers brought into Paris to discuss what went wrong and how to end the most disruptive war in history The "Great" War: - 10 million dead/21 million wounded - 630,000 Canadians served - 60,661 Canadians killed/172,000 wounded - Massive debt (except US) - Britain and France would finally have to discover that they were no longer the greatest powers Paris Peace Treaty: - What went wrong at the Paris Peace Conference was why there was a World War II - Paris Peace Conference turned out to be a sentencing hearing - After you have been found guilty in court and finding out your sentence - Germany not allowed to defend themselves and so as Wilson - France wanted revenge and got it - Believed war was all Germany's fault and they had to pay - Made Germany sign a treaty that the war was their entire fault and they needed to pay monthly - was not true - Treaty of Versailles ended war with Germany - Germany was going to lose territory, empire, industry, and army - Peace Conference made things bad for China - 1937 to 1945: Japan invaded China - Wilson loses 1920 election (Wilson is American) - US Senate rejects League of Nations - they thought it was another tool to get America dragged into European troubles - America wasn't involved - America's military and money made the League useless - Bitter and angry Germany would live to fight another day - Waited to attack Other post War Problems: - Spanish Flu --> Pandemic - French and British not reporting on it as it would seem like dangerous propoganda - Way worse than COVID-19 (Spanish Flu could kill a healthy man in a week) - More people dying in 1918 than in the war - Killed 22 million (50,000 Canadians) - Started in Europe and spread throughout Europe - Infected guys went on ships and spread it worldwide