World War 1 Before 1914 PDF

Created by Turbolearn AI The World in 1914 The Outbreak of World War I The first major engagement of the First World War took place on August 5, 1914, when five columns of German assault troops converged on the town of Liege, Belgium. The Germans were halted by determined fire from the town's outl...

Created by Turbolearn AI The World in 1914 The Outbreak of World War I The first major engagement of the First World War took place on August 5, 1914, when five columns of German assault troops converged on the town of Liege, Belgium. The Germans were halted by determined fire from the town's outlying forts, forcing them to resort to siege tactics using heavy howitzers. Europe in 1914 European Dominance Europe still dominated the rest of the world in 1914. Most of the decisions that shaped the fate of the world were taken in the capitals of Europe. Leading Powers in Europe: Country Military Strength Economic Strength Germany Strong Strong Britain Strong Strong France Weak Weak Austria-Hungary Weak Weak Russia Expanding rapidly Expanding rapidly Imperial Expansion Imperialism is the building up of an empire by seizing territory overseas. Imperial Expansion after 1880: Page 1  Created by Turbolearn AI Most of Africa was taken over by European states in the Scramble for Africa. European powers, the USA, and Japan intervened in the crumbling Chinese Empire. The idea behind imperialism was mainly to get control of new markets and new sources of raw materials. Political Systems of World Powers Democratic Forms of Government USA Britain France These countries had parliaments consisting of representatives elected by the people, with an important say in running the country. Non-Democratic Forms of Government Germany: Elected lower house of parliament Reichstag, but real power lay with the Chancellor and the Kaiser. Italy: Monarchy with an elected parliament, but limited franchise. Japan: Elected lower house, but restricted franchise and most power held by the emperor and privy council. Russia and Austria-Hungary: Autocratic or absolute rulers, with parliaments that could only advise the rulers. Alliance Systems The Triple Alliance Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Page 2  Created by Turbolearn AI The Triple Entente Britain France Russia Causes of Friction Naval rivalry between Britain and Germany French resentment of the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany German accusations of encirclement by Britain, Russia, and France Disappointment with the results of German expansionist policies W eltpolitik Nationalism and the desire for independence in various regions Events Leading Up to the Outbreak of War 1882: Triple Alliance formed 1894: France and Russia sign alliance 1904: Britain and France sign Entente Cordiale 1907: Britain and Russia sign agreement 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo, leading to the outbreak of war## The World in 1914: Causes of Friction The years leading up to World War I were marked by increasing tensions between European powers. Several factors contributed to the outbreak of war, including: Naval Rivalry: A competition between Britain and Germany to build the largest and most powerful navy. Colonial Rivalry: Disputes over colonies and territories in Africa and the Far East. Nationalism: The desire for independence and self-governance among various ethnic groups, particularly in the Balkans. Imperialism: The expansion of European powers into other regions of the world, often through colonization. The Alliance System Page 3  Created by Turbolearn AI The alliance system, also known as the "armed camps," consisted of two main groups: Triple Alliance Triple Entente Germany Britain Austria-Hungary France Italy Russia "The alliance system made war inevitable." - George Kennan However, many historians argue that the alliance system was not the sole cause of the war. There were many crises between 1904 and 1914 that did not lead to a major war. The Balkans: A Powder Keg The Balkans were a region of great tension, with various ethnic groups seeking independence and self-governance. Serbian Nationalism: The desire for a unified Serbian state, which led to tensions with Austria-Hungary. Bosnian Crisis: The annexation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary in 1908, which led to tensions with Serbia. The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, sparked a chain reaction of events that led to the outbreak of war. The Outbreak of War Page 4  Created by Turbolearn AI Date Event June 28, 1914 Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia July 29, 1914 Russia orders general mobilization August 1, 1914 Germany declares war on Russia August 3, 1914 Germany declares war on France August 4, 1914 Britain enters the war Who Was to Blame? Historians continue to debate the causes of World War I and who was to blame. Some argue that Austria-Hungary was the aggressor, while others blame Germany, Russia, or Britain. "The war was a complex event with multiple causes and no single culprit."## Economic Rivalry Economic rivalry between nations is often cited as a contributing factor to the outbreak of World War I. Marxist historians argue that the desire for economic mastery of the world led German businessmen and capitalists to want war with Britain, which controlled a significant portion of the world's merchant ships in 1914. "Economic mastery of the world" refers to the ability of a nation to dominate global trade and commerce, thereby gaining significant economic and political power. However, critics of this theory point out that Germany was already on the path to economic victory, with one leading German industrialist remarking in 1913: "Give us three or four more years of peace and Germany will be the unchallenged economic master of Europe." Russia's Role in the Outbreak of War Russia's support of Serbia is seen as a crucial factor in the outbreak of war. Russian backing likely made Serbia more reckless in its anti-Austrian policy, and Russia's mobilization in response to Austria's declaration of war on Serbia provoked Germany to mobilize. Page 5  Created by Turbolearn AI Key Events: Russia orders a general mobilization in response to Austria's declaration of war on Serbia Germany mobilizes in response to Russia's mobilization Russia's mobilization is seen as a threat to Germany's interests in the Balkans German Backing for Austria Germany's decision to support Austria-Hungary is seen as a crucial factor in the outbreak of war. The Kaiser sent a telegram to Austria-Hungary urging them to attack Serbia and promising German support without conditions. Theories on German Motivations: Theory Description Fritz Fischer's Germany deliberately planned for and provoked war with Russia, Theory Britain, and France to become the dominant world power Germany felt encircled and threatened by superior British naval Time Factor power and Russian military expansion, leading them to seek a Theory preventive war Germany did not want a major war, but the Kaiser and Chancellor Miscalculation believed that a strong line in support of Austria would frighten Theory Russia into remaining neutral The Schlieffen Plan The Schlieffen Plan, developed by Count von Schlieffen in 1905-6, was a military plan that assumed France would automatically join Russia in the event of war. The plan called for the bulk of German forces to be sent to the Belgian frontier, where they would attack France and knock it out in six weeks. Key Features of the Schlieffen Plan: Assumed France would automatically join Russia in the event of war Called for the bulk of German forces to be sent to the Belgian frontier Aimed to knock France out in six weeks Involved the first aggressive act outside the Balkans, when German troops crossed the frontier into Belgium on August 4, 1914 A Tragedy of Miscalculation Page 6  Created by Turbolearn AI Australian historian L.C.F. Turner suggests that the war was caused by a tragedy of miscalculation, with most leading rulers and politicians making bad mistakes. Key Miscalculations: Austria-Hungary miscalculated by thinking Russia would not support Serbia Germany made a crucial mistake by promising to support Austria with no conditions attached Politicians in Russia and Germany miscalculated by assuming that mobilization would not necessarily mean war## The Origins of World War I: Causes and Responsibilities The Debate Over Germany's Responsibility Historians have long debated the extent to which Germany was responsible for the outbreak of World War I. Some, like Herwig, argue that Germany's leaders believed time was running out for them as Russia's vast armament plans neared completion, and that they gambled on a victorious war to ensure survival. "A war to ensure survival, rather than a war to secure world domination, and it had to take place before Germany's position among the Great Powers deteriorated too far for the war to be won." - Herwig Others, like John Rohl, argue that the German leaders deliberately started the war and that Wilhelm II bears the main responsibility due to his duplicity and recklessness. Alternative Perspectives Some historians argue that Russia's rearmament and foreign policy decisions also played a significant role in the outbreak of war. William Mulligan suggests that Russia's defeat by Japan in 1905 had fatal consequences for the peace of Europe, leading to a revolution in Russia and a shift in foreign policy towards the Balkans. Page 7  Created by Turbolearn AI Event Consequence Revolution in Russia, shift in foreign policy Russia's defeat by Japan in 1905 towards the Balkans Assassination of Pyotr Stolypin in Growing jingoistic public opinion in Russia, 1911 increased pressure for action Russia's promise to help Serbia in the event of Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 an attack by Austria-Hungary Naval agreement between Russia Outrage in Germany, perceived as a betrayal by and Britain in 1914 the British Shared Responsibility Perhaps the most sensible conclusion is that Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary must all share the responsibility for the outbreak of war in 1914. "The naval agreement outraged the Germans, who saw it as a betrayal by the British; and the promise of backing for Serbia convinced the Germans that it was vital for them to support Austria-Hungary." - Mulligan Key Players and Their Roles Kaiser Wilhelm II: German leader who bears main responsibility for the outbreak of war due to his duplicity and recklessness. Pyotr Stolypin: Russian leading minister who favored peace, but was assassinated in 1911, leading to a shift in Russian foreign policy. Moltke: German general who believed that war was necessary to fulfill Germany's preordained role in civilization. Further Reading Page 8  Created by Turbolearn AI Afflerbach, H. and Stevenson, D. eds, An Improbable War? The Outbreak of World War One and Political Culture before 1914 Berghahn, 2007 Clark, C., The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 AllenLane, 2012 Fischer, F., Germany's Aims in the First World War Norton, newedition, 2007 Mulligan, W., The Origins of the First World War CambridgeUniversityP ress, 2010 Page 9