Europe 1914
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Transcript of Europe 1914
Europe 1914
The First World War: Why?
Long term –1. The European experience 2. Alliance system3. Imperialist Competition4. Stockpiling of Weapons
Short term - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
The ‘isms’1.Nationalism2. Imperialism3.Militarism
Treaty of Frankfurt , 1871
Ended the Franco Prussian War Defined border between Germany/France Alsace-Lorraine
The First World War: Who?
GermanyAustria-HungaryOttoman EmpireBulgaria
RussiaFranceGreat Britain----------------------------ItalyJapanUnited States (1917)
Central Powers: Allies:
Who?Central Powers
Central Powers (Triple Alliance) Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire –
later Bulgaria & Italy (briefly)
Kaiser Wilhelm II, Mehmed V, & Franz Joseph
Who?Triple Entente
Triple Entente or Allied Powers Loose alignment between the United Kingdom,
France, and RussiaLeaders
•England – King George V - Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith, then David Lloyd George
•France – George Clemenceau
•Russia – Tsar Nicholas II
The First World War:
The Crisis 1.
28 June 1914 Heir to Austrian throne
Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo.
Austria seizing Bosnia. Hotbed of Slav
nationalism
Seal of the Black Hand group
Archduke Franz Ferdinand• June 28, 1914 Franz
Ferdinand of Austria toured Sarajevo
• Gavrilo Principe shot/killed the Archduke
• Austrians blame Serbia for supporting terrorists.
• The assassination sparked the First World War
Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his Wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg one hour before their deaths, June 28, 1914
The Path to War Germany supports Austria
Habsburgs (WHO?) send an ultimatum to Serbia
Austro-Hungarian Empire declares war on Serbia on July 28th
Russia mobilizes in support of Serbia
Germany demands that Russia stands her armies down. Russia refuses
Germany declares war on Russia on August 1, 1914
The Path to War (August 2) Germany
declared war on France demanded Belgium give access to German troops Belgium denies
(August 4) Great Britain declared war on Germany
for violating Belgian neutralityPerceptions about World War I (at the time)
Excitement – “defend against aggressors” Modern warfare would be quick (“Home by
Christmas” War a glorious adventure
Which side should the US pick?
•11 million German-Americans •Irish-Americans hated Great Britain
•Close cultural ties •Shared transatlantic cables (so censored stories)•Big business loaned much $ to allies
Central Powers:Allies:
Nations 1914 1915 1916 Britain $594,271,863 $911,794,954 $1,526,685,102 France $159,818,924 $364,397,170 $628,851,988 Germany $344,794,276 $28,863,354 $288,899
US Exports to both sides:
US proclaims Neutrality
WAR – Schlieffen Plan
Schlieffen Plan – Germany’s military plan to avoid a two front war Invade France through Belgium (“Knock out
blow”) Defeat France, then concentrate on Eastern
Front Does not account for British mobilizing
quickly.
The Battle of the Marne the Marne dictates the
rest of the war Sept 5-12, 1914 Ends the German
offensive into France outskirts of Paris.
French stopped the Germans could not push back Stalemate
Soldiers dug trenches for shelter Begins four years of trench
warfare on the Western Front