HIST 112 1st Edition Lecture 16Beginning of World War IOutline of Last Lecture I. Triangle Shirtwaist FactoryOutline of Current LectureI. The CausesII. The WarCurrent LectureKey Terms Gavrilo Princip Collective defense German unification German empire (1871) Arms race Mobilization plans Schlieffen plan Russian plan Entente powers Central powers War of attrition Trench warfare U-BoatCauses of World War I June 28, 1914 Sarajevo Bosnia—Gavrilo Princip assassinates Franz Ferdinand who was heir to Austria-Hungarian throne Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Sets off collective defense (alliances that pull other countries into conflict) Nationalism: real cause of WWI German unification Strong German nationalism in 19/20th centuries leads to a single German nation run by Otto Von Bismarck of Prussia Creates a new large player in continental affairsThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Britain wants to keep a balance of power in Europe Imperialism—creates tension Scramble for Africa Arms race Several strong industrial powers (US, Britain, Germany) Germany and England want to outdo each other’s navies Dreadnoughts: massive ships with powerful guns that were steam-powered (fast) Military competition spreads throughout Europe Europe is “trigger happy”—ready to go to a war Mobilization plans—immediate plans in case war breaks out Countries were VERY committed to their mobilization plans Schlieffen plan (Germany) – invade France through Belgium while also attacking Russia (two fronts) Russian plan – focus tons of power against Germany and German allies Alliances Britain, France = informal alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary = formal alliance France, Russia = recognize Germany as threat Britain, Belgium = secret alliance, Britain defends Belgium’s neutralityThe War Entente = England, Russia, France (with help of US, Italy, and Japan) Central Powers = Germany, Austria-Hungary (with help of Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire) Used new technology but outdated fighting tactics Trench warfare on a mass scale 1000 miles of trenches on Western Front (France) Results in bloody stalemate War of Attrition Don’t have a special goal (like capture the enemy’s capitol) Want to cause other side to give up because of mass casualties, cut off resources,etc. Battle of Somme 1 day British lose 20,000 men + 40,000 more injured Battle of Verdun February 1916 to December 1916 A draw that favors the French (France prevented Germany from gaining territory) French lose 250,000 and fire 15 million shells Germany loses 142,000 and fire 21 million shells Stalemate of trench warfare pushes fighting to the sea Britain does a good job blocking Germany from getting supplies German U-Boats Submarines, unpredictable Want to blockade Britain from US supplies Costs American lives Temporarily stop attacks in order to keep US from getting involved August 1915 Long retreat German military follows Russian military further into Russia Stretches supply line Cold weather! Russia eventually drops out of war Causes other Europeans to fear communist spread—want to end war quickly German Spring Offensive One last powerful blow Unable to sustain any more, low morale MILITARY casualties 10 million dead 21 million wounded 10 million missing Civilian casualties 9 million dead After war: Spanish Influenza kills 20-100
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