World War I: Causes, Events, and Legacy

1. World War I: Causes, Events, and Legacy

2. Table Of Contents 3-7: Causes of WW1 (MANIA) 8: Allied Powers and Triple Alliance 9-10: Major Turning Points of the War 11-12: Effects on the American Homeland 13-14: Effects on European Countries 15-16: How the Allied Powers Won the War 17: Treaty of Versailles 18: Wilson’s 14 Point Plan 19: Long Term Effects of WW1 20-21: Student Analysis 22: Bibliography

3. Causes of WWI Militarism When a country or government places high importance on military forces to promote national interests. - French and German armies doubled in size from 1870-1914 - Britain and Germany were competing to see who could control the seas (led to creation of battleships) - Countries began war plans and figuring out where to attack - Tensions in Europe were being built to see who could build the most weapons/biggest army

4. Causes of WWI Alliances An agreement made between 2+ countries to give each other help (strategically, militarily, financially). Countries are known as allies once the deal is signed. - Between 1879-1914 many countries formed alliances - Many of these alliances caused WWI because it meant any country would also have to declare war on another country if their allies did it first.

5. Causes of WWI Nationalism Being a strong supporter of the right’s/ interests of your own country. - Nationalist groups were set on retrieving their land lost in the Franco-Prussian war - Austria-Hungary and Serbia each had opposing nationalist groups and wanted their own land and government. - During the Congress of Vienna, Italy and Germany were left divided and were then reunited in 1861 and 1871.

6. Causes of WWI Imperialism When a country takes over new territories and lands and subject’s it’s people to its rule. - Nationalist groups were set on retrieving their land lost in the Franco-Prussian war - Austria-Hungary and Serbia each had opposing nationalist groups and wanted their own land and government. - During the Congress of Vienna, Italy and Germany were left divided and were then reunited in 1861 and 1871.

7. Causes of WWI Assassination Assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife on June 28th 1914, killed by a Serbian nationalist, involved with an organization known as the Black Hand. - Germany pressured Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia after assassination. - Russia (allied with Serbia) declared war on Austria-Hungary. - Germany declared war on Russia and France. - Britain declared war on Germany after Germany’s invasion of Belgium. WWI began.

8. Allied Powers and Triple Alliance Allied Powers: Russia, Great Britain, France Later other countries joined the allies such as Italy (switched in 1915), United States (joined 1917), Japan, Serbia, Belgium, Romania and Greece. - Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy During the war, central powers expanded including the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Bulgaria. -

9. Major Turning Points of the War Battle of the Somme (July 1 - November 18, 1916) - Key Players: Britain and France v.s. Germany - First use of tanks in warfare - Massive allied offensive meant to break through German enemy lines - Became one of the bloodiest battles - Allies only advanced a few miles and suffered over 1 million casualties U.S. Entry into the War (April 6, 1917) - Key Players: United States vs. Central Powers - U.S. declared war on Germany after unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram. - U.S. provided troops and resources to the Allies

10. Major Turning Points of the War Russian Withdrawal (March 3, 1918) - Key Players: Russia and Germany - After the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which made them leave and stop participating in the war. - Germany then shifted their troops from the Eastern to the Western Front, which made the conflict last longer. The Hundred Days Offensive (August 8 – November 11, 1918) Key Players: Allied Powers (Britain, France, U.S.) vs. Germany Allied offensives successfully pushed back German forces and finally broke their defenses. Germany sought an armistice which ultimately lead to the end of the war in 1918. - - -

11. Effects on the American Homeland Economic Changes: - Taxes were increased exponentially to fund the military - The U.S. became a global economic leader due to its contributions and lending money to European countries. - The government sold Liberty Bonds to finance the war’s efforts - Mass production and new technologies were adopted Social Changes: - Women entered the workforce in large numbers as nurses or support staff in armed forces. - This fueled the women’s suffrage movement and later the 19th amendment in 1920. - The government used propaganda to rally support for the war (posters, films, etc..) - Led to Great Migration; many African Americans moved over from rural south to urban areas to work in war industries/try to escape racial discrimination and violence

12. Effects on the American Homeland Political Changes: - The federal government expanded its role in managing the economy and controlling industries through organizations such as the War Industries Board. - Soldiers who came back from the war had a hard time reintegrating themselves in everyday life, due to a lack of veteran support and mental health struggles. - Many of these struggles were later known to be found as “shell shock” - U.S. rejected both the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations

13. Effects on European Countries Physical Destruction: - The Western Front, from France to Belgium was destroyed due to artillery bombardment - All towns and villages near the front were completely destroyed - Post-war recovery was especially hard because of all the railways, bridges, tunnels and factories which were obliterated - Unable to farm due to shelling and chemical warfare - Forests in regions like the Somme and Verdun were razed Loss of Life: - Over 10 million soldiers were killed, approximately 20 million wounded and we’re left with major disabilities - Due to other impacts of the war such as distress and famine, a whopping 7 million civilians were killed

14. Effects on European Countries Economic Impact: - Europe was left in financial ruin because they spent so much to fund the war. - France and Britain borrowed a lot of money from the U.S. - Germany went through economic collapse due to the Treaty of Versailles. - Economic productivity was significantly decreased when war industries ceased production. - In the 1920s, Germany went through hyperinflation and almost all savings were wiped out. - Rebuilding trade relationships was very hard within european countries because they lost access to global markets. - The harsh terms imposed on Germany eventually led to World War 2 and the rise of Adolf Hitler. - The U.S. and the Soviet Union rose as global powers due to Europe’s downfall

15. How the Allied Powers Won the War U.S. Involvement: - U.S. joined war in April 1917, and provided fresh troops, food, weaponry and resources to the Allied armies. - Over 2 million american soldiers were sent out to help the Allies which significantly boosted military strength and morale - The U.S. financed the Allies through many loans and exports, giving them the upper hand Technological Advances: - Tanks, machine guns, and artillery were being used to help the Allies (eg; tanks used to go through German lines during Hundred Days Offensive) - Aircrafts and bombing raids gave them an advantage - The British Royal Navy cut off the Central Powers’ supplies by enabling effective blockades - Anti-submarine technology to go against German attacks were developed

16. How the Allied Powers Won the War Collapse of the Central Powers: - Germany faced food shortages as well as a lack of fuel and raw materials - Home front was weakened due to economic strain - The Ottoman Empire (key member of Central Powers) internally collapsed and surrendered by 1918 - Due to this Germany was left alone (Italy switches sides to Allied Powers as well) - German troops broke their defensive lines in the Battle of Amiens - Through all of August-November 1918 a series of attacks were made against the Central Powers by the Allies which led successful and made them break coordination - This left the Central Powers exhausted and uncoordinated

17. Treaty of Versailles Great Britain, France and the United States wrote the Treaty of Versailles in which the three main Central Powers were not allowed to cooperate (Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire). It was a treaty declaring how each country would want to treat Germany after the war. France: ban Germany from having a military, make Germany pay reparations, take back Alsace-Lorraine from Germany and they had to admit guilt for causing the war. Britain: wanted reparations but less than France because they thought Germany would declare war again if the conditions were too harsh. Wanted german colonies. U.S.: against reparations, create the League of Nations which was to help prevent future conflicts (failed) Germany lost most of its military - - - -

18. Wilson’s 14 Point Plan Wilson’s 14 Point Plan was to create the League of Nations which started in Jan 1920 in Geneva, Switzerland. - Lloyd George and Clemenceau weren’t excited about the treaty - All treaties had a ‘Covenant of the League’ clause which binded all participants to the League - The goals were to replace the need for war, place limitations of arms, see that treaties are carried out, everyone respects each other’s borders, sanctions before armed force and debate over battle. - The U.S. refused to join so it was European - U.S. adopted isolationism and refused to get into Europe’s issues, also never signed the Treaty of Versailles - The league failed because the U.S. refused to sign (world’s biggest power), France and Britain didn’t want to start another war, Russia and Germany weren’t allowed to join, and couldn’t stand up to Hitler

19. Long-Term Effects of WW1 The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles gave us political extremism in countries like Italy, Germany and Japan. The resentment that came after reparations allowed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party to rise to power Many empires such as the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, German and Russian fell apart Europe’s democracies were all weakened which left space for extremist ideologies to take control Economic instability led to the Great Depression of 1929 and many radical movements rose With around 20 million dead, many families were left devastated and lost Many nations later granted women the right to vote (U.S. 1920, Britain 1918/1928) Mental health issues were brought to light such as PTSD - - - - - - - -

20. Student Analysis What was the most significant cause of the war and why? I think the Alliance system was the main cause for the war because it started a domino effect once one country declared war on another, and made conflicts which should have stayed internal, global. An example of this is the assassination of the archduke and Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia; in which Germany, Russia, France and Britain then followed through, thus causing World War 1.

21. Student Analysis Which event or decision during the war had the greatest impact on its outcome? I believe that the U.S.’s entry into the conflict changed the outcome of the war the most, because they provided fresh troops and resources to the Allies and gave them the upper hand in war by also helping them financially through loans, etc.. and completely changed their weaponry, ammunition, food and medical equipment. The U.S. Navy was also very strong and protected the Allies’ shipping routes. I believe that their entry into the war ensured their victory in 1819.

22. Bibliography Treaty of Versailles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrYhLNQMRro 5 Major Treaties and Alliances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyg8CgKo7Do https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/ww1/Pages/active-overview.aspx#:~:text=Although %20other%20nations%20eventually%20joined,and%20they%20would%20be%20victorious https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/10-significant-battles-of-the-first-world-war https://news.syr.edu/blog/2014/07/28/100-years-after-wwi-the-lasting-impacts-of-the-great- war-78831/#:~:text=It%20led%20to%20the%20Russian,particularly%20in%20the%20Middle %20East https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/peace/fourteen-points https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/ap-world/mania#:~:text=MANIA%20is%20an%20acron ym%20that,Nationalism%2C%20Imperialism%2C%20and%20Assassination.