World War One

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$Discrete Math Chapter 14 Descriptive Statistics 14.2 Exercise 1 ...$

Russia’s mobilization created panic in Germany’s Kaiser. The Russian Czar and the German Kaiser were communicating bytelegraph throughout this time but failed to convince each other that they were only taking cautionary measures. Britain made an attempt to intervene diplomatically but it did not work. Germany demanded that his cousin (the Tzar) cease all military preparation. When the Russians did not comply, Wilhelmdeclares war and orders the full mobilization of the German army against Russia (August 1). As part of Germany’s Schlieffen Plan (a 2-front war), Germany also declared war against France (August 3). France also mobilized. Germany was clinging to the hope that Britain would stay out of this conflict but when the German army crossed into Belgium, (August 3) Britain’s treaty obligations brought her (and her empire) into the war. It was now a world war (and a total war).By now most of the European powers were involved. This has become the largest European conflict since the Napoleonic Wars.Mobilizing millions of soldiers required a level of coordination never seen before. The railroad system was vital to all major Europeanpowers to move millions of men and supplies into position.French motives: In 1871 France lost the territories of Alsace and Lorraine (important industrial areas for coal and potassium chloride)to Germany. This loss was bitterly humiliating and left France desperate to regain those lands. They were fearful of an all-out Germaninvasion. French leaders thought that if Germany was distracted by a war with Russia, then France could seize back Alsace andLorraine.Russian motives: Just before the war was a time of instability in Russia. The Czar’s grip of power was fragile. There was support inRussia for the Serbian cause and a military victory would help the Czar politically. The war was risky given the horrible state of theRussian military at the time. Nicholas II flip-flops over whether or not to mobilize but ultimately he caved under pressure.How could this war have been avoided? Could different decisions, stronger leaders, and better communication have yielded adifferent outcome? This may have solved the immediate crisis but the underlying causes still remained.Optimism & Illusion of WarGovernment propaganda from all sides had been successful. People were genuinely convinced thattheir nation’s point of view was the only correct one to believe in.This war was only supposed to last for a few weeks. The boys were told “they’d be home byChristmas,” as they laughed with their mothers. Soldiers boarded the train with energy, excited for awarrior’s adventure as citizens threw flowers at their feet. This was a romantic, wild, manly adventure.Every young person was afraid they might miss the most wonderful and exciting experience of theirlives as they hurried to the trains.“In Austria, the train stations were filled with fresh recruits. Banners were flying, music sounded in Vienna, there was a parade in thestreets with flags, ribbons, and music everywhere. Young recruits were marching, their faces lighting up at the cheering. Rapturous andeven seductive-- they did not know war. They had hardly given it a thought after half a century of peace. Now going to war seemedromantic and heroic—like the paintings in the museum, soldiers on horses with glittering uniforms.”“They shouted and sang in the trains that carried them to the slaughter—wild, feverish, the red wave of blood coursed through theveins of the entire nation.” Stefan Zweig, The World of Yesterday.12
Germany “Violates” BelgiumAt the London Declaration of 1909, Britain, Germany, USA (and others), agreed that a country was neutral as long as it did not shelterwarships in ports, train troops, or sell weapons/munitions to either side. Belgium was officially neutral.Germany asked the neutral country of Belgium if they could pass through to invade France. Belgium said “We are a country, not ahighway.” Germany pushed through anyway.Germany violates Belgium’s neutrality during the night of August 14, 1914 expecting to overtake the little nation quickly thenmove on to France. The Belgians were more resistant than anticipated. Civilian snipers fired on the Germans.In retaliation, the Germans burned towns and villages to the ground. They raped women and children, and executed largenumbers of civilians. This was called the “Rape of Belgium”.42,000 people were forced to evacuate.This action was condemned by most of Europe and caused Britain to enter the war to defend Belgium.The World Takes Sides (Largest Dodgeball Game Ever?)The Allied Powers: Britain (and all her colonies), France, Russia, Serbia, Belgium, Italy (1915), USA (1917)ANZAC: Australian and New Zealand Army Corps both fighting for Britain and the Allies. Australiagot her independence in 1901, New Zealand in 1907 so they were independent but still fought forthe crown of England.Canada also began as a British dominion but by 1914 Canadians fought as a single unit in France and Belgium (as in themovie Paschendaele).Greece, Japan (1914), Italy (1915), and Romania joined later as associate powers.The US never officially joined the Allies but fought independently and closely cooperated with the Allied powers.The Allies were divided east and west and most supplies had to travel by sea, which was dangerous.Japan declared war on Germany (August 23, 1914) to align with Britain. Japan’s intent was to retake some islands in thePacific Ocean that Germany had seized as colonies.Italy was supposed to go with the Central Powers but remains neutral for a year. Italy refused to commit its troops and claimedthat Austria-Hungary was really the aggressor. Italy wanted to grab some territory from Austria-Hungary. Italy signed theLondon Pact (April, 1915) and entered the war on the Allied side. Italy was promised large territories from Austria-Hungaryand the Ottoman Empire (Trento, Trieste, Istria, Dalmatia). Fighting on the Austrian-Italian border was difficult with a verysteep rocky terrain.Central Powers: Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire (1914), Bulgaria (1915)Germany had offered Austria-Hungary the Blank Check. Kaiser Wilhelm II gave thepromise to defend Austria-Hungary if Russia attacked (the guarantee was made on July5, 1914-- a week after Archduke Ferdinand assassination).Germany created a railroad that stretched from Berlin (Germany) to Baghdad (Iraq).This train system could easily carry soldiers, supplies, food, and medicine.There were communication issues between Germany and Austria Hungary. Germanypromised support, but interpretations of support differed.o Who would cover Russia? Germany wanted to focus on France and thoughtAustria-Hungary should take Russia. Austria-Hungary disagreed, so theirforces became divided.13
Page 5: Imperialism and nationalism are two
Page 8: Triple Alliance: 1882 Italy, German
Page 11: The July Ultimatum• Ultimatum: A
Page 15 and 16: Verdun (France) 1915-1917 was Germa
Page 17 and 18: After the war, 400 Young Turks invo
Page 19 and 20: The Russian RevolutionNovember 6, 1
Page 21 and 22: By 1917, blimps were used to see th
Page 23 and 24: The Zimmerman Note (Zimmermann-Depe
Page 25 and 26: Wilson wanted American immigrants n
Page 27 and 28: The result of this war was psycholo
Page 29: A group of Weimar German delegates

World War One

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