Chapter 27 World War I and Its Aftermath

1
Chapter 27 World War I and Its Aftermath
Section 1 The Stage is Set
2

• Setting the Scene
• By 1914, Europe had enjoyed a century of
  relative peace. Many idealists hoped for a
  permanent end to the scourge of war. "The future
  belongs to peace said French economist Frederic
  Passy
• Others were less hopeful. "I shall not live to
  see the Great War, warned German chancellor Otto
  von Bismarck, "but you will see it, and it will
  start in the east. It was Bismarck's prediction,
  rather than Passys, that came true.

3
I. The Pursuit of Peace

• By the early 1900s, efforts were underway to end
  war and promote understanding between nations

4
II. Aggressive Nationalism

• At the same time, aggressive nationalism was
  pushing Europe to the brink of war

5
II. Aggressive Nationalism

• Germany became a military and industrial power,
  while the French were bitter about losing Alsace
  and Lorraine

The French were especially bitter about their
1871 defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the
German occupation of the border provinces of
Alsace and Lorraine
6
II. Aggressive Nationalism

• Russia sponsored Pan-Slavism and felt that it had
  a duty to lead and defend all Slavs

7
II. Aggressive Nationalism

• Austria-Hungary worried that nationalism might
  lead to rebellion within its empire

8
II. Aggressive Nationalism

• Ottoman Turkey felt threatened by new nations on
  its borders

9
II. Aggressive Nationalism

• By 1914, the Balkans were the "powder keg of
  Europe"

10
III. Rivalries Among European Powers

• Economic competition and imperialism were sources
  of conflict between European nations

11
III. Rivalries Among European Powers

• There was a rise in militarism and nations
  expanded their armies and navies

12
IV. A Tangle of Alliances

• In 1882, Germany formed the Triple Alliance with
  Austria-Hungary and Turkey - the Central Powers
  in WWI

13
IV. A Tangle of Alliances

• In 1904 France, Russia, and Britain formed the
  Triple Entente - the Allies in WWI

14
Section 2 The Guns of August

• I. Assassination in Sarajevo

15
I. Assassination in Sarajevo

• Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
  visited Sarajevo, angering Serbian nationalists

16
I. Assassination in Sarajevo

• On June 28,1914, the Black Hand Serbian
  terrorist group assassinated the archduke and his
  wife

Gavrilo Princip assassinates Ferdinand and Sophia
17
II. The Conflict Widens

• Because Serbia did not agree to all of the terms
  of an ultimatum, Austria declared war on Serbia
  on July 28, 1914

In the aftermath of the assassination of Archduke
Ferdinand, Austria made ten demands of Serbia. An
Austrian official would be appointed to monitor
the fulfillment of these demands. The Serbians
accepted all but this last demand, and war was
declared.
18
II. The Conflict Widens

• Kaiser William II promised Austrian emperor
  Francis Joseph Germanys full support against
  Serbia

Kaiser William II wrote to Francis Joseph,
advising him to take a firm stand toward Serbia.
The Kaiser assured the emperor of Germany's full
support. Thus, instead of urging restraint,
William II gave Austria a "blank check of
assistance
19
II. The Conflict Widens

• Serbia sought help from Russia, and Germany
  responded by declaring war on Russia

Germany/Austria-Hungary versus Russia 
20
II. The Conflict Widens

• When Russia appealed to its ally France, Germany
  declared war on France

Germany versus France
21
II. The Conflict Widens

• General Schlieffen had developed a plan of attack
  against France requiring German armies to march
  through neutral Belgium

22
II. The Conflict Widens

• Outraged by the invasion of Belgium, Britain
  declared war on Germany

23

• "The lamps are going out all over Europe. We
  shall not see them lit again in our lifetime
• British politician Sir Edward Grey