Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... i ORIGINS (1871– 1914) ................................................................................................................................ 1 Nationalism ................................................................................................................................................ 1 Balkan Problems......................................................................................................................................... 2 Rise of Germany (Weltpolitik) ................................................................................................................... 3 Industrialization, Militarism, & Imperialism ............................................................................................. 3 Alliance System .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Failure of Diplomacy in July Crisis ........................................................................................................... 4 Different Views on Origin of WWI ........................................................................................................... 5 PRACTICES OF WWI ................................................................................................................................ 6 Characteristic of WWI................................................................................................................................ 6 Western Front ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Eastern Front .............................................................................................................................................. 7 End of WWI ............................................................................................................................................... 7 EFFECTS OF WWI ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Social Changes ........................................................................................................................................... 8 Changes in Attitudes .................................................................................................................................. 8
Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium IB History SL Notes (May 2014 Exam Session)
Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014)
INTRODUCTION This is part of my series of detailed IB History SL notes that I took during my history course at Kungsholmens Gymnasium. The study guide covers WWI, thus can be used to study the topic „Causes, Practices, & Effects of Wars‟ in the IB History Syllabus. In order to make the guide unbiased as much as possible, I‟ve decided to include mainly facts, and historical interpretations that are taken from many different perspectives. However, be aware that the sources that I used can never be 100 percent unbiased! Words or phrases, which are emphasized throughout the guide, can be divided into 3 types: -
Bold: means that „the phrase is either a headline or a key terminology‟
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Bold & Italic: means „important phrases‟
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Bold, Italic, & Underlined: means „vitally important key words‟
This guide is not for commercial use; hence, the information presented here (in which most are taken from the internet, from The Origins of the First and Second World Wars, written by Frank McDonough; from the History for The IB Diploma: Causes, Practices and Effects of Wars, written by Mike Wells; or from my teacher‟s lectures at school) will not be formally referenced. Please feel free to contact me through email (my email address is
[email protected]) if you have any questions regarding this study guide. Thank you!
TIMELINE of Main Events 1839 1871 1877 1878 1879 1882 1887 1893 1902 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1912 1913 1914
England-Belgium alliance Unification of Germany Russo-Turkish War Treaty of San Stefano + Berlin Dual Alliance (A-H, Germany) Triple Alliance Secret Re-Insurance Treaty (Germany, Russia) France-Russo alliance Anglo-Japanese alliance Entente Cordiale (France and GB) 1st Moroccan Crisis Algeciras Conference Anglo-Russian convention + Triple Entente Annexation of Bosnia-Herzogovina + Bosnian Crisis + Russo-Serbian Alliance Balkan Crisis Treaty of London July Crisis War start on 28th July
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Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014)
ORIGINS (1871– 1914)
Nationalism -
Ethnocentrism; competitions with other countries, national identity can unite or divide people age of nationalism (1871 – 1914) suppressions of nationalist ideas in Europe were loosened (e.g. Tsars)
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First started by Napoleon who did one thing but reflected another thing) this idea was then spread by scientists, historians, lawyers, musicians, etc.
Nationalism caused Italian Unification, German Unifications & Balkans Problem a cause of WWII!!!
Unification of Italy Before unification -
A-H (Austria-Hungary) was multi-cultural Metternich of A-H said: “Italy is just a geographical expression, not a nation” (because he didn‟t want A-H to split up which could threaten the aristocrats)
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A unified nation no trade barriers; encourage railroad building for industrialization
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Nationalists seized opportunities (e.g. Franco-Prussian, Austro-Prussian War)
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Mazzini & Count Cavour (took care of diplomacy), Garibaldi (took care of wars)
The Unification -
The Pope supported revolutions (1848) but not in 1849 (church started being questioned)
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In 1848 – 1849, French came Mazzini, Garibaldi in exile
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Crimean War (1855): Mazzini, Garibaldi were back gained status for Italy; drove Bourbon House (Spanish), A-H out of Italy Garibaldi gave Italy to King Emmanuell II
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Third War of Independence: Italy acquired Venetia (during Austro-Prussian war 1866)
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After Franco-Prussian War of 1870 France retreated from Rome totally unified Italy!!!
After unification: -
Ethnic, social & cultural conflicts; people emigrated less tensions positive for Italy
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The Pope didn‟t want a united Italy a challenge big problem
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Education, Nationalism, Socialism & Industrialization grew strongly
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Italy became constitutional monarchy but people still couldn‟t vote
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Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014)
Unification of Germany Before Unification -
Napoleon (caused the first sparks of German nationalism to occur) o
Territorial change: France got German lands in Rhine tensions (France vs Germany)
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Political change: changed Pope‟s role dissolved Holy Roman Empire
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Financial change: French-controlled Rhine Confederation; destroyed trade barrier
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Bismark with used Realpolitik (a policy of self-interest) & war to unify the nation
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Metternich was against nationalism introduced Carlsbad Decrees (1819) to control the press & universities
The Unification -
Revolution in Berlin The Frankfurt Parliament (political unity) a Constitution
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Scheleswig-Holstein (1848): German nationalists wrote a liberal constitution for a unified nation; at the same time Prussia wanted war against Denmark‟s Frederick VII
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Monarchs (especially Frederick IV) tried to wipe out nationalism 1848 Revolution failed
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Bismark suppressed socialist force within the country while fighting 3 Wars 1864 Scheleswig Holstein War in Denmark, 1866 Austro-Prussian War, 1870 Franco-Prussian War (against Napoleon III)
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German Unification (1871) Wilhelm I proclaimed Emperor in the palace of Versailles
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1st Reich is Holy Roman Empire; 2nd Reich is Bismark‟s Empire; 3rd Reich is Nazi Germany
Balkan Problems Ottoman Empire (OE) was a „sick man of Europe‟ Balkan nationalists rebelled against OE, which increased tension between Russia & A-H (as both were interested in the Balkans) worsened Russo-German relation leading to the destruction of Re-Insurance Treaty! Bulgarian Crisis: -
Nationalists with Serbian & Russian supports rebelled against OE Russo-Turkish War (Russian victory)
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Treaty of Berlin & San Stefano were signed as peace treaties (set up by Bismark), which satisfied no one weakened Germany‟s role as an “honest broker”
Balkan Crisis (1912 – 1914): -
1st Balkan War was between Balkan League (Pan-Slavic coalition formed in 1912 by Serbia) & OE, in which OE lost Treaty of London (1913) was set up to settle post-war world, which caused further disagreements over territory between members of Balkan League
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These disagreements led to 2nd Balkan War (Bulgaria vs Balkan League) in which Bulgaria lost
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Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014) Worsened Austria-Serbian relation because of: -
A-H’s annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina during Bosnian Crisis in 1908
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After victory during Balkan Wars, Serbia now became a strong & close ally to Russia (because Serbia was now able to rouse nationalist movement to rebel against A-H regime)
Rise of Germany (Weltpolitik) German Question, Weltpolitik, Bismarck‟s double-dealing treaties, & Kaiser‟s confrontational diplomacy, all raised suspicions & fears as Germany was interrupting power balance in Europe Kaiser Wilhelm II & Admiral von Tirpitz (naval officer) favored expansionist foreign policy („encouraged‟ by Bismarck‟s foundation) Weltpolitik (which was supported by nationalists, e.g. Navy League) had 3 aims: -
Strong Navy Edward Grey said that the naval race was the major reason why GB went to war
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Territorial expansion (to make Germany a major imperial power)
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To divert attention towards external issues (to weaken socialist movements)
Industrialization, Militarism, & Imperialism Militarism (the idea of deterrence, i.e. to push back the others) -
Many believed that militarism could help avoid a war as it could scare other countries. However, it encouraged armed race (Anglo-German Naval armed race dreadnaught)
Encouraged economic rivalries & developments of war plans during peacetime (Schlieffen Plan) Imperialism can be divided into a few types: -
Colonies: were controlled by governors, officers & soldiers either direct or indirect rules (i.e. French & British colonies) this was very expensive!
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Protectorates: local rulers allowed trades, missionary from foreign countries this was cheap!
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Spheres of influence: e.g. China was influenced by US & Europe this was greedy greedy
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The Scramble for Africa (& also Asia) European powers had colonies in these areas to take resources
Imperialism was boosted by quick process of industrialization of colonial powers (which had led to improvements of railroads & weaponry productions, but caused lots of economic tensions) Causes of Imperialism: -
Encouraged by traders, bankers & investors for economic, political, industrial & military developments
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Germany (the aim of Weltpolitik); GB (wanted colonial dominance; Prime minster Lord Salisbury with his imperial plans); France (to restore its pride after Franco-Prussian war)
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Humanitarian, religious goals for spreading Christianity, Western technology, cultures, “white” superiority
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Social Darwinism (Survival-of-the-fittest) intense arm race
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Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014) Effects of Imperialism: -
Rise of patriotism, armed race & tensions between European powers Japan-Russia 1904 (Japan victory)
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Berlin-Baghdad railway (German plan to influence Ottoman Empire) threatened Russia & India (colonies of GB) worsened GB-German and Russo-German relations
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Moroccan Crisis 1905: Kaisers challenged France in Morocco matters even though France was allowed to control Morocco by Entente Cordiale (colonial agreement of GB & France) led to closer Anglo-FrancoRusso relations which helped France gain victory over Germany in Algeciras Conference
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2nd Moroccan Crisis (1911) almost brought Europe to war Germany sent troops to Morocco while France got full supports from Britain) ended with negotiations closer Franco-British relation
Alliance System Alliance system ensured large-scale war. However, these alliances were primarily defensive and should have made the powers more careful when going to war Alliances & Reasons for Alliances: -
Dual Alliance (A-H, Germany) „similar‟ cultures; due to conflicts in Balkans between A-H & Russia, Russia was excluded Triple Alliance (Italy, A-H, Germany) which was against Russo-Franco alliance
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Dual Entente (France, Russia) mutual benefits (against Germany & A-H) defensive
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Anglo-Japanese 1st step away from GB‟s splendid-isolation
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Entente Cordiale (France, GB) settled territorial disputes in Africa; however, after Moroccan Crisis (1905), this became defensive alliance against Triple Alliance
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Anglo-Russian Entente after Balkan Crisis (1908) against Germany
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England-Belgium alliance (1839) ensuring Belgian neutrality
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Serb-Russian Alliance after 1908-09 Bosnian Crisis
Failure of Diplomacy in July Crisis July Crisis: -
Franz Ferdinand (against nationalism) got assassinated A-H sent an ultimatum to Serbia with harsh demands in which Serbia accepted most of them but A-H still declared war
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Germany (with its desire to implement the Schliefffen Plan) granted A-H a blank check, then invaded Belgium & France broke Belgian neutrality GB went to war
WWI was originally sparked by Balkan Problems; and due to the Alliance System, it turns into a world war
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Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014) Failure of Diplomacy: -
Everyone was expecting someone else to resolve the problems none made enough efforts to restrain aggression especially Germany, even Germany realized that this would turn into a world war
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Unlike Bismark‟s strategic policy, Germany‟s diplomacy was aggressive under Kaiser
Good explanation to why war broke out in 1914 rather than before, but this isn‟t the root to all problems
Different Views on Origin of WWI 1. Collective Responsibility (Orthodox view) (Sidney B. Fay) -
Supported during inter-war years as the question of German guilt became very sensitive in foreign relations
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Alliance system, old-style diplomacy, imperialism, militarism, nationalism, development of flexible war plans during peacetime & mistrust each nation accused others of being aggressive, each accepted the risk of war & hoped for their securities in the alliance system and military powers it was all about Balance of Power
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Main Reasons for nations to go to war: o
Bad geographical position for Germany (encircled by France & Russia); Germany wanted to play a bigger role in international affair; Kaiser wanted to „unite‟ people under his rule & suppress socialism
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France wanted to regain honors & lost lands, and to have a safer national security
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Russia wanted to extend its influence over the Balkan & supporting Serbian interests
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A-H wanted security in its multicultural nation against Serbian & Balkan nationalism
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GB wanted balance of power German Question & Invasion of Belgium dragged GB into war
However, alliance system was only the minor cause because the system was so fragile (i.e. participants didn‟t try to help their alliances but clearly just followed their aims especially Italy) the fundamental problem was the lack of a fully effective balance of power in Europe – not its existence However, imperialism couldn‟t explain the Balkan problems, or French desire to regain Alsace-Lorraine, or GB policy (GB had no desire for more colonies), or July Crisis; neither A-H nor Russia were as „capitalist‟ as GB or US. In addition, imperialism created more allies (GB-Russia & GB-France) 2. German Responsibility (Fisher) -
Weltpolitik, expansionist policies Bethmann Holweg drew up the German War Aims which were to achieve dominance in Europe & Africa while weakening other superpowers (France, Russia & GB)
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War was intentionally supported by business interests, political parties, academics while Kaiser wanted to use war to divert attention from their domestic problem (which was the rise of socialism/communism) Germany encouraged A-H in WWI even when it knew that such a war could not be localized
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Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014) 3. Defensive German War (Criticism to Fisher) -
Fisher‟s approach was contradictory as he suggested that German policies were affected by social & economic factors but it was also planned by Germany itself
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Germany was defensive to protect its own national security & of A-H balance of power
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Military planners pushed Germany into war; while Bethmann Hollweg lacked patience to negotiate, feared of an encirclement & realized too late that the war could not be localized miscalculations
4. Failure of Diplomacy & Balkan Problems to blame (John Stoessinger) -
The July Crisis caused the war blames on the diplomacy
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Germany & A-H could not control the Balkan problems different leaders could lead to different outcome
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July Crisis offered A-H an ideal opportunity to rouse public opinion in support of war which aimed to weaken the drive for self-determination in the Balkans A-H‟s & Serbia‟s faults for dragging Europe into war while Germany (who had no interests in the Balkans) took the opportunity to expand
PRACTICES OF WWI
Characteristic of WWI -
War was welcomed by almost everyone this is due to nationalism, long period of tension, arms race, propagandas; war was considered to be romantic & a perfect opportunity to solve both internal & external problems a TOTAL WAR War to end all Wars
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Trenches War effective defense no successful attack a contest of endurance a war directed against enemy‟s economy & against their will to continue
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Most generals were careless of human life & used bad tactics (they were not used to modern warfare) unrealistic, dictatorial (refused to take advice) blame on General Haig (GB) or Ludendorff (Germany)
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New weapons: poison gas, tanks, canon, aircraft (use of air power wasn‟t effective enough to play a decisive role), dreadnoughts, U-boats, machine gun, artillery (larger & more precise), etc mass production
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Central Powers: Germany, A-H, Turkey (1914), Bulgaria (1915)
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Entente Powers: GB Commonwealth of Nations, France, Japan (1914 to become a great power), Italy (1915 to get more territories), China, Romania, Greece (1917)
Unlike WWII, WWI only centered in Europe fighting outside Europe was the results of imperialism
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Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014)
Western Front Reasons & Failures of Schlieffen Plan: -
Russia‟s poor railroads, inefficient military led Germany to believe that Russia couldn‟t mobilize very fast; however Russian railways & organization had improved very much just in time to go against Germany
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Germany lost advantage to the defenders as the army travelled deeper into Belgium & France while Belgium‟s resistance was strong & GB was dragged into war
1st Battle of Marne forced both sides into a stalemate switching to Trench Warfare Battle of Verdun (1916) was German attempt to break the Stalemate as a response, GB & France launched massive attacks in Battle of Somme (July – Oct, 1916) still STATEMATE USA joined in 1918 to safeguard their money after Germany refused to stop submarine attacks on US ships and after Germany made a deal with Mexico take back lost territories from US through Zimmerman Telegram
Eastern Front -
Vast & cold instead of trenches, mountains were used
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To have more allies, Entente made war promises:
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Territory to Italy, China & Greece
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Independence for Arabs & India & Palestine (through Balfour Declaration)
Turkey fought against GB, Australia, New Zealand huge victory for Turkey in Gallipoli Turkish independence however a lot of war crimes incl. Armenian Genocide (for a „pure‟ Turkish nation)
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Rise of Bolshevisms over the Tsar in Russia Eastern Front virtually collapsed Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March, 1918 (harsh against Russia) put considerable pressure on France & GB
End of WWI Turning point (1918) France was weak, US was inexperienced, GB‟s army was diverted to save Italy Germany broke the stalemate; however, as Germany went deeper into enemies‟ land, it lost the advantages successful Entente counter-attack in Amiens The Entente won because: -
German Allies (Turkey & Austria) were weak compared to the Entente powers
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Entente had more resources (mostly from US)
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Schlieffen Plan failed lengthened the war in which Germany had to fight in 2 fronts
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Entente naval blockade & disruption of agriculture during wartime food shortages & discontents in Germany could possibly led to some revolutions in Germany
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Sy Hai Dinh – Kungsholmens Gymnasium (2014)
EFFECTS OF WWI
Social Changes -
Rise of women freedom women took men‟s place in home-front & worked in engineering, arms & transport; while lots of men died in WWI which caused long-term demographic effects
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Working classes got more equality due to their contributions to industrial production in WWI
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The art after WWI was more daring & experimental which aimed to express the violence of war
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Women‟s battalion in Russia (1917) which sparked the February Revolution
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Anti-war films & literature general mood against wars
Changes in Attitudes -
The so-called „war to end all wars‟ didn‟t live up to its name peace was less durable than the desire for the intense nationalism, fascism, racism & militarism LoNs couldn‟t alter the popularity of Realpolitik & the selfish desire of nations turned away from internationalism
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LoNs led to over-optimism in 1920s & reluctance to confront dictators in 1930s
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Post-war period proved that democracy wasn‟t the ideal system led to rise of Fascism
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