🌹World War I Unit 1 – Europe's Road to World War I

Key Events and Timeline

• 1870-1871: Franco-Prussian War resulted in the unification of Germany and the rise of German power in Europe
• 1879: Dual Alliance formed between Germany and Austria-Hungary provided a mutual defense pact
• 1882: Triple Alliance established between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy strengthened the Central Powers
• 1894: Franco-Russian Alliance created a counterbalance to the Triple Alliance and increased tensions between European powers
• 1898: Spanish-American War marked the emergence of the United States as a global power and intensified colonial rivalries
• 1904-1905: Russo-Japanese War demonstrated the weakness of the Russian Empire and shifted the balance of power in Asia
• 1907: Anglo-Russian Convention settled colonial disputes and completed the Triple Entente between Britain, France, and Russia
• 1908-1909: Bosnian Crisis escalated tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, with Russia supporting Serbian interests

Major European Powers and Alliances

• Germany: Newly unified and industrialized nation sought to assert its power and influence in Europe and globally
  • Led by Kaiser Wilhelm II, who pursued an aggressive foreign policy and naval expansion
• Austria-Hungary: Multi-ethnic empire faced internal tensions and sought to maintain its dominance in the Balkans
  • Comprised of diverse nationalities (Austrians, Hungarians, Slavs) with competing interests
• Russia: Vast empire with a large population and army, but faced economic and social challenges
  • Supported Serbia and other Slavic nations in the Balkans as a counterweight to Austria-Hungary
• France: Resented Germany after its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the loss of Alsace-Lorraine
  • Formed alliances with Russia and later Britain to counter German power
• Great Britain: Dominant naval power with a vast colonial empire, concerned about the rise of Germany as a naval rival
  • Pursued a policy of "splendid isolation" but eventually aligned with France and Russia
• Italy: Initially part of the Triple Alliance but had territorial disputes with Austria-Hungary
  • Later switched sides and joined the Allied Powers in 1915
• Serbia: Independent Balkan nation with aspirations for a "Greater Serbia" that would unite all South Slavs
  • Supported by Russia and seen as a threat by Austria-Hungary

Underlying Causes and Tensions

• Nationalism: The belief in the superiority and self-determination of one's nation led to increased tensions and rivalries
  • Pan-Slavism movement sought to unite Slavic peoples under Russian leadership
  • German nationalism emphasized the need for a strong, unified Germany with a "place in the sun"
• Imperialism: European powers competed for colonies, resources, and global influence
  • Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century divided the continent among European powers
  • Colonial rivalries in Asia and the Middle East heightened tensions between nations
• Economic competition: Rapid industrialization and the need for markets and raw materials fueled economic rivalries
  • Germany's economic growth challenged British dominance in global trade
• Social Darwinism: The misapplication of Darwin's theory of evolution to nations and races justified imperialism and militarism
  • Belief that nations were engaged in a struggle for survival and that the strongest would prevail
• Alliance system: The division of Europe into two opposing alliances (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente) increased the risk of a general war
  • Alliances were meant to provide security but also created a "domino effect" in the event of a conflict

Militarism and Arms Race

• Militarism: The belief in the importance and glorification of the military became prevalent in European societies
  • Military leaders gained influence in political decision-making
  • Military service was seen as a patriotic duty and a way to achieve national glory
• Arms race: European powers competed to build up their military forces and develop new weapons technologies
  • Germany's naval buildup under Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz challenged British naval supremacy
  • Development of new weapons (machine guns, heavy artillery, dreadnoughts) increased the destructive potential of war
• Military plans: Nations developed elaborate military strategies and mobilization plans in preparation for war
  • Germany's Schlieffen Plan aimed to quickly defeat France and then turn against Russia
  • Russia's "Plan 19" called for a rapid mobilization and offensive against Germany and Austria-Hungary
• Military spending: Governments allocated significant resources to their armed forces, diverting funds from social programs
  • Arms race placed a heavy financial burden on European economies and contributed to social tensions

Nationalism and Imperialism

• Nationalism: The belief in the superiority and self-determination of one's nation led to increased tensions and rivalries
  • Pan-Slavism movement sought to unite Slavic peoples under Russian leadership
  • German nationalism emphasized the need for a strong, unified Germany with a "place in the sun"
• Imperialism: European powers competed for colonies, resources, and global influence
  • Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century divided the continent among European powers
    • Berlin Conference (1884-1885) established rules for colonial expansion and heightened rivalries
  • Colonial rivalries in Asia and the Middle East heightened tensions between nations
    • Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) over influence in Manchuria and Korea
    • Anglo-German naval rivalry in the Persian Gulf and Ottoman Empire
• Nationalism in the Balkans: The decline of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Balkan nationalism created instability
  • Serbia's aspirations for a "Greater Serbia" clashed with Austria-Hungary's interests in the region
  • Balkan Wars (1912-1913) redrew borders and increased tensions between Balkan nations and great powers
• Nationalist propaganda: Governments and media outlets promoted nationalist sentiments and demonized other nations
  • Nationalist organizations (Pan-German League, Black Hand) advocated for aggressive policies and actions

Diplomatic Crises and Conflicts

• First Moroccan Crisis (1905-1906): Germany challenged French influence in Morocco, testing the strength of the Anglo-French Entente
  • Algeciras Conference (1906) affirmed French control over Morocco but also recognized Germany's economic interests
• Bosnian Crisis (1908-1909): Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, angering Serbia and Russia
  • Russia backed down after Germany supported Austria-Hungary, but tensions in the Balkans remained high
• Second Moroccan Crisis (Agadir Crisis) (1911): Germany sent a gunboat to Agadir in response to French military action in Morocco
  • France and Germany reached a compromise, with Germany receiving territorial concessions in Africa
• Balkan Wars (1912-1913): Two wars fought between Balkan states and the Ottoman Empire, resulting in territorial changes and increased tensions
  • First Balkan War (1912-1913): Balkan League (Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro) defeated the Ottoman Empire
  • Second Balkan War (1913): Bulgaria attacked its former allies, leading to its defeat and further territorial changes
• July Crisis (1914): The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered a series of diplomatic maneuvers and ultimatums
  • Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia with harsh demands
  • Russia mobilized in support of Serbia, leading Germany to declare war on Russia and France

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia
  • Assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian nationalist group Black Hand
  • Assassination occurred on the anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo (1389), a significant date for Serbian nationalists
• Reaction: Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination and saw it as an opportunity to crush Serbian nationalism
  • Austro-Hungarian government believed Serbia was responsible for the attack and demanded action
  • Serbian government denied involvement but had knowledge of the plot and failed to warn Austria-Hungary
• Ultimatum: Austria-Hungary, with Germany's support, issued an ultimatum to Serbia with harsh demands
  • Demands included suppressing anti-Austrian propaganda, allowing Austro-Hungarian officials to investigate the assassination, and arresting conspirators
  • Serbia accepted most of the demands but refused to allow Austro-Hungarian officials to conduct investigations on Serbian soil
• Escalation: Austria-Hungary, unsatisfied with Serbia's response, declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914
  • Russia, as Serbia's ally and protector of Slavic interests, began mobilizing its forces in support of Serbia
  • Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, demanded that Russia halt its mobilization and declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914

Immediate Triggers and Outbreak of War

• July Crisis: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led to a series of diplomatic maneuvers and ultimatums
  • Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia with harsh demands
  • Serbia, supported by Russia, refused to fully comply with the ultimatum
• Alliance system: The system of alliances divided Europe into two opposing camps, leading to a chain reaction of declarations of war
  • Germany declared war on Russia (August 1) and France (August 3) in response to Russian mobilization
  • Britain, allied with France and Russia, declared war on Germany (August 4) after Germany invaded neutral Belgium
• Mobilization: The mobilization of armies and the implementation of war plans made the conflict difficult to contain
  • Russia's mobilization in support of Serbia prompted Germany to enact the Schlieffen Plan
  • France, bound by its alliance with Russia, began mobilizing its forces along the German border
• Failure of diplomacy: Last-minute diplomatic efforts to prevent the war failed due to mistrust, misunderstandings, and the rigidity of war plans
  • British attempts to mediate the crisis and organize a conference were unsuccessful
  • Germany's "blank check" to Austria-Hungary and its fear of a two-front war led to a hardening of positions
• Global conflict: The involvement of European powers with global empires and interests transformed the conflict into a world war
  • Colonial rivalries and the desire to protect overseas possessions drew nations into the conflict
  • Japan, allied with Britain, declared war on Germany to seize German colonies in Asia and the Pacific