Contributors:Will,Griffin,Oliver,Samuel,Yuki

ModernHistoryNotes

TheWorldatthebeginningofthe20thCentury
Quizlets:
Dates:
https://quizlet.com/_1gnmoz
Definitions:
https://quizlet.com/_1gnpqx

Definitions:

Alliances:
agreementsbetweennationstoworktogetherforaspecificgoalwhichcouldbe
economicordefence

Anarchism:

APoliticalmovementaimingtooverthrowgovernmentalauthorityandreplaceit
withvoluntarycooperationofgroupsandindividualsworkingforthecommongood.

Antisemitism:
AnattitudeofprejudiceagainstJews.

Autocracy:
Ruleofonepersonwhohastotalpowersuchasanabsolutemonarch.

Capitalism:
Aneconomicsystembasedonprivateownershipofmeansofproductionand
pursuitofbusinessopportunitiesfortheownersindividualprofits.

Constitutionalmonarch:
InBritaintheparliamentisthegoverningbody.Themonarchashead
ofstateinanimportantfigurehead,whosepowersarelimitedbyaconstitution.Theprime
ministeristheheadofgovernment

Democracy:
Agovernmentmadeupofandrunbyelectedrepresentativesofthepeople

DrangNachOsten:
YearningfortheEastatermcoinedinthe19thcenturytodesignate
Germanexpansionintoslaviclands

Dynasticrulers:
Rulerswhohaveinheritedtheirpowersfromotherfamilymembers

Empire:
Thepeoplesandterritoriesruledbyonemorepowerfulcountry

Feminism:
actiontosupporttheattainmentofpolitical,economicandsocialequalityforwomen

Globalisation:
theprocessofincreasinginteractionandinterdependenceamongworlds
peoplesandtheexportofideas,capital,productsandculture


Historiography:
thestudyofthedifferentinterpretationsbyhistorians

Imperialism:
Thepracticeofincreasinganationspowerbytakingcontrolofothernationsand
theirresources.

Industrialisation:
Theproductionofgoodsusingmachineryratherthanmanuallabourandthe
growthofindustriesratherthanagricultureasthebasisofanationseconomy.

Liberalism:
Aviewofsocietyemphasisingindividuals(notclasses)andtheirrightstofreedom
ofpolitical,religious,intellectualandartisticexpression.Theviewalsoincorporatesthegoalsof
parliamentarydemocracyandafreeenterpriseeconomy.

Militarism:
Thebeliefthatacountryshouldmaintainastrongmilitarycapabilityandbe
preparedtouseitaggressivelytodefendorpromotenationalinterests.

Nationalism:
Asenseofidentitydevelopedfrombelongingtoagroupsharingcommoncultural,
linguisticandhistoricaltiesandthedesiretoworkwithotherstoachievecommongoalsrelated
tothese,attimesregardlessofhowthismightaffectothercountries.

NewImperialism:
ofthelate19thandearly20thcharacterisedbynationsaggressivepursuit
ofcolonies,accompaniedbyintenserivalrywithoneanotherandmotivatedbynotionsoftheir
ownracialandintellectualsuperioritytopolicieswhomtheysoughttocontrol.

Neofeudalism:
Atheorizedcontemporaryrebirthofpoliciesofgovernance,economyand
publiclifereminiscentofthosepresentinmanyfeudalsocieties.

PanNationalism:
thedesiretouniteallpeopleofthesameculturalandlinguisticgroupevenif
theyarelocatedwithinthenationalboundariesofanothernation

Parliamentarydemocracy:
Governmentofthepeoplethroughthedecisionmakingofthose
whomtheyelectedtoparliament.

Revolution:
overthrowofrulingorderbyamassmovementofdisaffectedcitizensusuallyby
violentmeans

Sectarianism:
theviewthatonereligiousbeliefhassuperiorityoverothers

SecularSociety:
thedeclineininfluenceofreligiononsociety

SelfDetermination:
apeoplesrighttoexerciseindependentcontrolovertheirnationsdestiny

Socialism:
adoctrinepromotingthepeoplesownership(throughtheState)ofanations
resourcesandredistributionofitswealth

Suffrage:
atermusedtodescribetherighttovote

Suffragettes:
Womenseekingtherighttovotethroughorganisedprotest.

Tradeunionism:
Thedevelopmentofworkerspowerthroughtheircombinationintogroups
(tradeunions)thatrepresentthemandfightfortheirinterests.

TraditionalDiplomacy:
Atermusedtodescribelate19thandearly20thcenturydiplomacy
(mostlybetweenthebigEuropeanpowers),whichappearedpolite,fairandsophisticatedonthe
surface,whilstinevitablyhavingaruthless,selfishagendaunderneath(agoodexampleisthe
SykesPicotagreementof1916).

Urbanisation:
Thetrendforpeopletoleavetheirruralenvironmentstoliveandworkincities,
andthegrowthandexpansionofcitiesasaresult.Thisbroughtaboutchangedpatternsofland
use,populationdistributionandeconomicactivities.

Timeline:
(
Nationalism
,

Militarism
,
Imperialism
,
TheAllianceSystem
)

YEAR

EVENT

1839

Treatyof
LondonBelgium
tobeindependentandremainneutralEuropean
powerstoprotectthatneutrality

1861

UnificationofItaly.
CallforincorporatingItaliaIrredenta,thoselandsunder
AustriaHungarywithhugeItalianpopulations.

1870

FrancoPrussianwar
,Prussia(centralregionofGermany)victorious,Francelost
AlsaceLorraine,andwasbitteraboutit.

1871

GermanEmpireproclaimed,KaiserasHeadofState,Chancellornextimportant
politicalfigure.

1873

Dreikaiserbund:Germany,AustriaHungaryandRussia
,wouldconsulton
internationalaffairsandremainneutraliffourthpowerattackedanyofthem.

1877

WarintheBalkansbetweenRussiaandTurkey.Russiabecamedominantpowerin
Balkansarea,Aust.Hunprotested.

1878

CongressofBerlin
.Russiaforcedtogiveupterritory,Serbiabecameindependent
state,BosniaandHerzegovinaadministeredbyAustHun.

1879

DualAllianceGermanyandAustriaHungary
.Agreedtohelpeachotherif
attackedbyRussiaandremainneutralifattackedbyother.

1881

SecondThreeEmperorsLeague
Reestablishmentof
GermanAustroHungarianRussian
link.Pledgedneutralityifonewenttowar
withfourthpower.

1882

TripleAlliance:Germany,AustriaHungaryandItaly.

1887

ReinsuranceTreatyGermanyandRussia,tokeepRussiaalliedtoGermany
despitehostilitybetweenRussiaandAustriaHungary.

1890

KaiserWilhelmIIsacksBismarck.
Kaiserdirectsforeignpolicy.
GermanyrefusestorenewReinsuranceTreaty,hopingtogetBritaininTriple
Alliance.

1891
1894

RussiaandFrancestarttomakeagreementsaboutconsultationandmilitaryaidin
theeventofwar.

1894

DualEntenteFranceandRussia.
Militaryconventionandbecameallies.

1895

KaisercomplimentstheBoersontheirvictoryagainsttheBritishintheTransvaal.

1896

Germany
decidestobuilda
navalfleet
twicethesizeofBritainsfleetbigenoughto
threatentheBritishnavalsuperiority.

1899

BoersettlersrebelagainstBritishruleinSouthAfrica.

1900

KingUmbertowasassassinatedinMonzaItalia.

1900
1902

Italy
gave
Francesecretassurances
thatitwouldnotjoinGermanyinwarwith
France.

1901

PresidentMcKinley(USA)isassassinatedbyananarchist.

1903

WomensSocialandPoliticalUnionwasfounded.

1904

EntenteCordialeFranceandBritain
,resolvedcolonialdifferences.


1904
1905

RussoJapaneseWar.

1905

SchlieffenPlan
devisedGermanplanofhowtodefeatFranceandRussiainthe
eventofwar.
Plan17
FrenchplanofhowtoattackGermany.

1905

FirstMoroccancrisis,KaiservisitsTangierinMorocco,speechstatingareashould
befreeofFrenchinfluence.

1906

AlgecirasConferenceBritainandItalysupportedFranceinMorocco.

1906

Britishbattleship,
Dreadnought,
islaunched,navalracewithGermanybegins.

1907

AngloRussianEntente
:ResolveddisagreementsinAfghanistanandPersia.
TripleEntente:Britain,FranceandRussia.

1908

AustriaHungaryandRussianforeignministersmadeadealtotakewhateach
wantedintheBalkansastheOttomanEmpirewasfading.

AustriaHungaryannexedBosnia
andHerzegovina.
Dealdidnotgoasplaned,Russiadenieddealhadbeenmade,condemned
AustriaHungary,calledforinternationalconference.
SerbiaagitatedagainstAustrianannexations,AustriamobilisedagainstSerbia.
Britaintriedtomediate.

1909

GermanydemandedthattheAustrianannexationsstand,Russiadidnotaccept,
Germanythreatenedwar,Russiabackeddown.

1911 SecondMoroccancrisis
rebellioninFez,Frenchtroopstosettle,Germangunboat

Panthersent,KaisermakesdemandsonFrancefortheCongo.Britainintervenes,

Germanysettleswithsmallerarea.Germanyfeelshumiliated
1911 ItalyseizesTripoli(NorthAfrica),Turkishprovince.
TurkeyatwarwithItalia.
1912
13

BalkanLeagueformedBulgaria,Serbia,GreeceandMontenegro.
FirstBalkanWar
Serbia,Bulgaria,GreeceandMontenegroagainstTurkey.
Leaguecountriesdivideterritoriesgainedhoweverpowersintervened.

1913 ConferenceinLondonresolutionofBalkansituation,GermanyassistedBritish
mediationandsupportedconferenceforapeacefulsolution.

June SecondBalkanWar
BulgariaattackedSerbiaandGreeceforthespoilsofthe
1913 resolution,Bulgarialostmuchofterritorygained.

June Serbiasnationalistday
extremelyimportanttoallSlavstatesasitinspired
28
nationalistfeelingsinotherstates.
1914 ArchdukeFranzFerdinand
andhiswifeSophiewere
assassinated
byGavrilo
PrincipinSarajevo,Bosnia.
July GermanygivesAustriaHungarya
blankcheque
5
1914
July Aust.Hun
governmentsentan
ultimatum
totheSerbiangovernmentthreateningwar
23
iftheSerbiangovernmentdidnotconcedetoitsdemands.
1914
July KingPeterofSerbiawouldnotagreetoallowingAustrianofficialsintoSerbia.
25
Russiabeginsperiodpreperatorytowar,technicallynotmobilisation
1914
July AustriaHungarydeclareswa
ronSerbia
28
1914
July Belgrade,SerbiancapitalunderattackbyAustriaHungary(shellingofBelgrade).
29

1914

July30
1914

Russiamobilises
,WilhelmaskedTsartostopmobilisation.

August
11914

GermanydeclaredwaronRussia
.FrancemobilisedinsupportforRussia

August
21914

GermanysentultimatumtoBelgiumdemandingfreepassageBelgiumrefused

August
31914

GermanydeclareswaronFrance

August
41914

InvadesBelguim

August
41914

BritainfollowedprotocolofTreatyofLondon
afterGermanydidnotrespondto
recallingtroopsfromBelgiumit
declaredwaronGermany.

(
Nationalism
,

Militarism
,
Imperialism
,
TheAllianceSystem
)

20thCenturyEuropeStudyGuide

Socialclasses:
Vastdisparityb/wclasseswealth,livingconditions,etc.
Upperclasses:
v.affluentwealthandstatusderivedfromtheirfamily
backgroundcreatedfromownershipoflargetractsoflandworkedonbyothers(their
successcamefromtheworkofothers)hadstronginfluenceonpoliticsandthemilitary
(mostofficersandmembersofparliamentcamefromupperclass).Ability/talenthadlittle
effectonsuccessandinfluence.Displayedwealthwithgrandhousesmaintainedby
servants,opulentlifestyleofleisureandaccesstohighestlevelsofeducation.
Middleclass:
Businessowners,merchants,lawyers,doctors,etc.(professionalswith
similareducationlevelsasupperclass)wealthcamefromindividualability.Abletohave
similarlifestylesandinfluencesastheupperclass,dependingontheirtalentandhow
hardtheyworked.
Workingandruralclasses:
Extremepovertyincountryside,itwasaresultofthe
seasonalandchangeablenaturetheirworkintheurbanenvironmentthepoorlivedin
terribleconditionsovercrowding(sometimespeoplelivedwith30toaroom),noprivacy,
unsanitary(diseasev.common).Lowwagesandfeweducationalopportunitiesmeant
thepovertycyclewashardtobreak.
Industrialization:
Revolutionizedthewaypeoplelivedandworked
Machineryandproductionlinesreplacedmanuallabourinthehome
Allowedcreationofvastquantitiesofproductsandmaterialsmoreefficiently
MilitarycapabilitiesdramaticallyincreasedforcountrieslikeGBandGer.(whoproduced
66%ofEuropessteelatthetime),leavinglessindustrializedcountriesbehind(e.g.
Russiaisntitgreatwhenitalljustcomestogether?)
Stimulatedtechnologicalinnovation:
Communicatione.g.telephone
Leisureandentertainmente.g.gramophone,camera
othergillettesafetyrazor,typewriter
Alsoencouragedadvertising
Asaresultofadvancements,livingconditionsbegantoimprove,theeconomiesof
modernizedcountriesimproved,andurbanisationincreased.
Urbanisation:
Mostlyduetoindustrialization
Massivepopulationgrowthinurbanarease.g.Berlin:800,000in1870,2millionin1910
Underminedupperclassspowerbaseofrurallandholdings

Rapidcreationofcheaphousingwithoutnecessaryinfrastructure(sewerage,garbage
collection,etc.)terribleovercrowded,unsanitaryanddiseaseriddenlivingconditions,
alongwithmassivepollutionandfromcoalfires.
Socialchange:
Womensroleinsocietybegantochange
Riseofliberalismanddevelopmentofdemocracymeantmorepeoplewere
focusedonthelackofrightswomenhad(nofemalesuffrage,v.littleopportunity
forwork,norealauthority)
ledto
Feminism
Traditionalreligiousinfluencewaschallengedbyashifttowardsliberalismdemandfor
religioustoleranceandanattempttoendreligion'senourmousinfluenceongovt,
education,lawmaking,employmentandpromotionalopportunities.
Dreyfusaffair15October1894
Fr.armyofficialsaccusedCaptainAlfredDreyfusoftreason
HewasjewisheasytargetforantisemiticFr.armyfoundguiltyofpassing
confidentialmilitarydocstoGer.
Many(largelyleftwing)believedhewasinnocent,andthattheconservative
portionofFr.wasatfaultsawitasanotherexampleofamansrighttoindividual
freedombeingunderminedtotheneedsofamilitarythatactedoutsidethelimits
oftheirauthority.
Countrydividedintoliberalleftwingandconservativerightwingultimatelyledto
unitingandstrengtheningofleftwingforcesinFr.,separationofchurchandstate
andincreasedsecularisation
Dreyfuswaslaterpardonedbythenewmoreliberalpresidentin1899
Govt:
Manyimperialpowersgovernedbyautocraticdynasticrulers(hadabsolutepower
inheritedfromfamilymembers)e.g.EmperorFranzJosephofAH(Habsburgfamily),
KaiserWilhelmIIofGer.(Hohenzollernfamily),andTsarNicholasIIofRussia
(Romanovfamily).
Allincrediblyreluctanttoconcedereformsthatdiminishedtheirauthority,but
wereconstantlychallengedbythechangingideologiesofthetime(e.g.the
variouspoliticalpartiesliketheBolsheviksinRussiaandtherevolutionof1905)
Bylate1918,thesedynastieshaddisappeared
GBhadconstitutionalmonarchy
Dynasticruler(QueenVictoria18371901)buthe/shewasboundbya
constitutionandaparliamentgreatlydiminishedtheirpower
Fr.hadarepublicanparliamentarydemocracy(latroisiemerepublique)witha2chamber
parliament,aPMandelectedpresident
SimilartoGBsgovt,butentirelydemocratic
PrettymuchthesameasUSAsgovt.(Muricafreedomdemocracylibertyfuck
yeah)

CausesofWWI
ShortTerm:
AssassinationofArchdukeFranzFerdinandofAustriaHungary
JulyCrisis
LongTerm:
Imperialism
Militarism
TheAllianceSystem
Nationalism
TheAllianceSystem
By1907,Europewasdividedinto2mainalliances:
TheTripleAlliance
AftertheFrancoPrussianWarin1870,ChancellorBismarckcreatedanalliancesystem
inEuropetokeepFrancefromretaliating.In1873theyformthe
Dreikaiserbund
with
RussiaandAustriaHungary.ToavoidconflictwithGB,Bismarckdidnotseekcolonies
ortogrowanavy.In1882,Italyjoined,andwiththelapseofthealliancewithRussiain
1890(largelyduetoBismarckssackingandWilhelmIIspoordiplomaticskills),the
TripleAlliancewasformedbetweenGermany,AustriaHungary,andItaly.Germany
thenstrengthenedtheirnavyandbeguncolonisingunderWilhelms
Weltpolitik
leadto
tensionwithGB
TheTripleEntente
Britain,concernedoverGermanysnavalpresence,grewtheirownnavy,straining
relations.ThisdroveBritainintoFrancesenemies,andtheyformedtheEntente
CordialewithFrancein1904.In1907,BritainandRussiajoinedforces,andtheTriple
Ententewascreatedinoppositiontothetriplealliance.
Ifany2ofthesenationsbecameembroiledinaconflict,therestwouldbedraggedin.

Militarism
Basicallythearmsrace
Buildupofrivalnaviesaccompaniedbyarmamentsraceb/wtwoblocs
(alliances)
Bothsidesbelieveditwasessentialtobuilduparmiesandstockpile
weaponssotheywouldbestrongerthantheotherside,withneitherable
tostopforfeartheothersidewouldbecomestronger
Heightenedfearandsuspicion

 GermanarmymostpowerfulinEuropewellequippedandtrained,basedon
conscriptioninpeacetimenumbered866,000in1914,butwhenmobilised
numbered5million,withanother4milliontrainedoldermenavailableasrequired
Russians,Fr.andAustroHungariansemployedasimilarsystem
RussiahadasmallerpeacetimearmythanGermany,buthadthe
capabilityofmobilisinganenourmousone(biggerthananyother)dueto
theirmassivepopulation(159million)GermanyafraidoftheRussian
steamrolleremergedfromNapoleonicwars1815asasuperpowerand
stillhadtheimageofone,despitetheirlossintheRussoJapanesewar
1905(theunderindustrialisationandunderequipmentofRussiameant
theirarmywasactuallymuchweakerthaneveryonethought).
GBhadthesmallestarmythatdidntrelyonconscription(inpeacetime)instead
reliedontheirnavy,whichwasthemostpowerfulinEurope(1889twopower
standardpolicyGBsnavyhadtobemorepowerfulthanthenexttwolargest
combined),toprotectherandhercolonies.
CreatedHMASdreadnought(largestandmostpowerfulbattleshipatthe
time)in1906,whichGermanystartedtomakecopiesofbetween
19081911(Germanyhaddecidedtoincreasetheirnavalcapacityto
matchGBsin1896)
GermanydevelopedSchlieffenplanin1905(devisedbyAlfredVonSchlieffen)if
warwithRussiaorFrancebrokeouttheywouldquicklyinvadeFrancethrough
neutralBelgiumandtakeParis,defeatingthemin6weeks(theamountoftime
theythoughtitwouldtakefortheRussianarmytomobilise),inordertoprevent
havingtofightawaron2fronts
ReliedonspeedandbeingabletogetthroughBelgium,howeveritwas
veryinflexible,andhadtobeexecutedASAP.Alsodidntaccountfora
waragainstonlyRussiaastheybelievedwarwithonewouldbringinthe
otherduetotheFrancoRussianalliance.Finally,riskedwarwithBritain,
whowouldprobablymoveintodefendBelgium(followingtreatyofLondon
1839)Germanydidntconsiderthatasanactualthreat,believingGB
wouldstayinitssplendidisolation.
Fr.alsodevelopedawarplancalledplan17,whichwassimplytoquicklytake
theprovincesofAlsaceandLorrainethentherestwouldsupposedlybeeasy
(didntplanfortherest).obviousflaws

Nationalism
Strongidentificationofpeoplewiththoseofanationorstateaimofnationalist
movementswastoestablishanewindependentstatefortheirownracialgroup
(e.g.theSerbianslavnationalistmovement,sponsoredbyRussia)inlate19th
andearly20thcentury,itdevelopedintoastrugglebetweenthepowers
BritainleadEuropeineconomicandcolonialfieldsmadeGermanyandFr.
jealous
FrancewantedrevengeonGermanyforthetakingofAlsaceLorrainein1870
Germanysunificationupsetbalanceofpowerleadtonewalliances(mostly
w
AustriaHungary)andcolonialrivalry(seeImperialism)

 AustriaHungarythreatenedbySlavicnationalismwithintheirempire.TheSlavs
wantedtoformapanslavicstate(Yugoslavia)leadtoBalkancrises
Russia,wantinginfluenceintheBalkans,supportsSlavicnationalism
Nationalismbecameapowderkegthatcouldresultinmajorconflict

Imperialism
Takingcoloniesbecameincreasinglyimportantafterindustrialrevolution,for:
rawmaterials
amarketformanufacturedgoodsandinvestment
anoutletforsurpluspopulation
strategicreasons
prestigeforthemothercountry(e.g.Indiawasthejewelinthecrownof
theBritishempire
By1900,theBritishempireextendedover5continents,andFr.hadcontrolof
largeareasofAfrica.
TheamountoflandscontrolledbyGBandFr.increasedtherivalrywithGermany
whohadenteredthescrambletoacquirecolonieslate(afterunificationin1871)
andonlyhadsmallareasofAfrica
Strugglingtofindtheirplaceinthesun
Therivalrybetweencountriesincreasedtensions,andresultedinanumberof
crises(e.g.theMoroccancrisesandBalkancrises)

WilhelmIIandtheMoroccanCrises

AftertheFrancoPrussianwarof187071,GermanChancellorOttovonBismarckwas
concernedthatFrancewoulddesirerevenge,socreatedanalliancesystemtoensure
thatiffranceattacked,theywouldbeboundtofail.
Bismarckaskilleddiplomat
AlliancesformedwithAH,Italy,Russia
PromotedEuropeanpeace
Britainmaintainssplendidisolationtheirpolicyofremainingisolatedfromthe
problemsofEuropetofocusonstrengtheningtheBritishempiremadeGermany
feelsafe
In1890,however,BismarckwassackedbythenewKaiserWilhelmII,anotoriously
terriblediplomat.
Rude,impulsive,headstrong,patronising
Forexamplein1895hecongratulatedBoersontheirvictoryoverBritaininthe
Transvaal
theCzarisonlyfittoliveinacountryhouseandgrowturnipsWilhelmII,1900
Wilhelminitiatedthepolicyof
Weltpolitik,
orworldpolicy,whichledtoincreasing
Germanaggression,militarism,andnationalism,inordertobecomeacolonialpower.

In1904BritainandFrancesignedthe
EntenteCordiale.
ThisdealgaveBritainpartsof
Egypt,andFrancemostofMorocco.WilhelmviewedthisasatreatyagainstGermany.

Thisledtothe
FirstMoroccanCrisis
when,in1905,WilhelmvisitedMoroccoandtried
toprovokeviolencebystatinginaspeechthatFranceshouldletMoroccorunitself.
SupposedtoshowfranceshecouldntrelyonBritaininacrisis
the1906AlgecirasConferenceprovedthatBritaincouldbecountedon,andthey
(andItaly)supportedFrance
IfthereiswarwarbetweenFranceandGermany,itwillbeverydifficultforusto
keepoutofitSirEdwardGrey,1906
Showed
EntenteCordiale
tobestrongerthanGermanyexpected
In1907,theAngloRussianEntentewassigned,creatingtheTripleEntente,arivalto
theTripleAlliance.
The
SecondMoroccanCrisis
wasin1911.AfterFrancehadputdownaMoroccan
rebellion,theKaiserwasconcernedthatthiswouldgiveFrancecompletecontrolof
Morocco.
TheKaisersentthegunboat
Panther
totheMoroccancoast.
HedemandedthatFrancegiveGermanyFrenchCongoinreturnforlettingthem
retaincontrolofMorocco
ToBritain,thisshowedthatGermanywascommittedtothreateningtheirnaval
power,andunderminingthe
EntenteCordiale
,andsothreatenedtogettheir
navyinvolved
Germanywasgivenamuchsmallerareaofland
ShowedBritainwaswillingtorespondwithmilitaryaction

BalkanCrises
TurkeyruledmostoftheBalkansatthestartofthe20thcentury,howeveritwas
weakening(thesickmanofEurope)begantolosecontroloftheBalkanpeoples
CountriessurroundingtheBalkanshadinterestsintheregion:
RussiawantedportsontheMediterranean,whichwouldmaketrade
easierandtheywouldbeabletogetpasttheblacksea
AustriaHungaryalsowantedportsontheMediterranean,butmore
importantlywantedtopreventtheSlavpeoplesfromrebellingand
breakingawayfromtheirempire(encouragedbySerbia),andsowanted
totakecontrolofalltheslaviccountries(particularlySerbia)beforea
rebellioncouldstart.
GermanywantedtobuildarailwayfromBerlintoBaghdad(whichwas
nearrichoilfields).This4000kmrailwaywouldhavetopassthroughthe
centreoftheBalkans.
ItalywantedterritoryontheothersideoftheAdriaticseasotheycould
controlthesea.
Serbia(notalargeplayeratthispoint)waslandlockedandsowanted
coastallandwithports
1908YoungTurkscausedchaosinTurkeywitharevolutioncountriesseized
opportunities:
RulerofBulgaria(halfownedbyTurkey)crownedhimselfkingand
declaredthecountryindependent
CretebrokeawayfromTurkishruleandunitedwithGreece

EmperorFranzJosephofAustriaHungaryseizedandannexedprovinces
ofBosniaandHerzegovina(whichtheyhadbeenadministeringsincethe
congressofBerlinin1878)
SerbiaannoyedasmostofthepeopleintheprovinceswereSerbs/slavs,andso
KingPeterclaimeditshouldbelongtohim.ManyofthepeopleinBosniaand
HerzegovinaalsodislikedAustriaHungaryandwantedtojoinSerbia
RussiaalsoangryannexationofBosniaandHerzegovinawasaviolationof1878
treatyofBerlinGermanydemandedannexationsstandandGBsupported
changingtreatytoallowannexationRussiabackeddownin1909,butfuriousand
itmadethemnotwanttobackdownagain.
TurkeycontinuedgrowingweakerBalkancountriessawitasachancetodrive
themoutofEurope
Greece,Bulgaria,SerbiaandMontenegrojoinedtogetherintheBalkanLeague
in1912andattackedTurkey
FirstBalkanWarafter50daysTurkeysurrendered
AtapeaceconferenceinLondon,Turkeygaveupremaininglandinthe
Balkans,whichwassharedamongstthe4victors.Also,Albaniawas
created.
TheBalkanLeaguesoonbegantofightovertheirsharesoftheland
KingFerdinandofBulgaria(AKAfoxyFerdinand)wantedmoreland,andin
1913heattemptedtogetitbywarringwithSerbiaandGreece.
SecondBalkanWar1913wentpoorlyforBulgaria
TurkeyandRomaniajoinedinonthesideofGreeceandSerbia
Bulgarialost50,000menaswellassomeofthelandtheyhadgainedin
theFirstBalkanWar
SerbiacameoutontopfrombothBalkanWarscountrysizehaddoubled
BalkanproblemgrewworseSerbsinBosniaandHerzegovinabecamerestless,
andthetensionsbetweenAustriaHungaryandSerbiagrew
RussiasupportedSerbiaastheywerebothslavic,andhavinganinfluencein
thatregionwouldhelpRussia(particularlywithgettingtheports)
ThisputRussiaatoddswithAustriaHungary,andhenceGermany
(AustriaHungarysally)
WarbetweenSerbiaandAustriaHungarythushadthepotentialtobecome
majorconflictbecauseoftheseriesofalliances

WWIDocumentary

Prussia(largestGermanstate)seizedAlsaceLorrainein1870duringthe
FrancoPrussianWar
1904:EntenteCordialebetweenBritain(gainedEgypt)andFrance(gained
Morocco),
butnotamilitaryalliance
HoweverGermanyinterpreteditassuchandtriedtobreakitup
FirstMoroccanCrisis

1911:SecondMoroccanCrisiswashumiliatingforGermanybecausetheygot
lessterritorythantheydemandedinAfrica
Britishnavy1889=
twopowerstandard

navyalwaysbiggerthan2other
naviescombined
Germanybegannavalrace
GermanyhadbestrailwaynetworkinEurope(=fastermobilisation)
VonSchlieffenmadeaplantodefeatFrancequickly,relyingonRussiataking
about6weekstomobilise=
SchlieffenPlan(19011911)
InvolvedgoingthroughBelgium=riskedBritaingettinginvolved(
1839Treatyof
London=BritainguaranteeingBelgiumsindependence
)
+BritainunlikelytoletGermanycontrolsomuchofEuropeasanewnation
BalkanstatesjoinedtogethertoremoveOttomanslargelyfromEurope=First
BalkanWar(1912)=Serbiadoubledinsize
RussiaallieditselftoSerbia
AustriaHungaryannexedBosniaandHerzegovina(1908)
Serbianterrorist,GavriloPrincip,assassinatedFranzFerdinand,
AustroHungarianheir,inBosnia
July5:Germanyissues
BlankCheque
toAustriaHungary
AustriaHungaryusedasapretextforwar,issuingaharshultimatumonJuly23
SerbiaacceptedallbutoneconditionanAustrianinquest
AccordingtotheKaiser,thisremoved
everycauseforwar

July28:AustriadeclaredwaronSerbia
RussiadefendedSerbia
GermanydefendedAustriaHungary
FrancedefendedRussia
GermanybeganmovingintoBelgium
BritaindeclaredwaronGermanyon4August1914

JulyCrisis
BeginswiththeassassinationofFranzFerdinand
June28th,1914
AnniversaryofSerbslosstoOttomansattheBattleofKosovoin1389
StVitussday,dayofSerbnationalism
FranzFerdinandhaddecidedtovisitSarajevo(capitalofBosniaand
Herzegovina)onthisimportantday
Badidea,asBosnianSerbnationalismwasatahigh,alongwithhatredfor
AustriaHungarybecauseoftheannexationofthecountryin1908
Killedbyradical19yroldBosnianSerbnamedGavriloPrinicippartofSerbian
secretsocietyknownastheBlackHand

 HeadoftheBlackHandwastheSerbianheadofMilitaryIntelligence
(knownasApistotheblackhand),howevertheSerbiangovernment
claimedignorancedirectlinktoSerbiangovernmentthatsuggeststhey
playedaroleinitneverfound
Followingthis,therewereantiSerbdemonstrationsinSarajevo
Theassassinationwasabad
move
fortheSerbs,asFranzFerdinandwasoneofthe
fewmoderatesintheAustrianhighcommand,andfrequentlyadvocatedagainstwar
AustrianChiefofStaffConradvonHotzendorfhadproposedwarwithSerbiano
lessthan26times.
HotzendorfbigonAustriannationalism,theworstkindofofficer:both
stupidandenergeticMoltke
FerdinandwasusuallytheonetoadvocatepeacetoFranzJosef
FranzJosefrespondstoensurethatSerbsdontthinktheycoulddefyAH.Iftheycould,
theneveryothernationstateinAustriawouldthinkthattheycouldtoo.
AustriahadtoactvigorouslyagainsttheforeignSlavsKaiserWilhelmII
AHgovernmentblamedBlackHand&Serbgovernmentwithassassination.
July5thor6th(itsunclear),GermanyissuesBlackChequetoAH.IfRussiamobilised,
Germanywouldhelpinanyway.
GermanyafraidofthethepowerofanindustrialisedRussia
ManyGermansSocialistandantiwar
KaiserthoughtthatfamilialbondswithNicholasIIandGeorgeVwasenoughto
preventwar
July23rd,AHissuesultimatumtoSerbia,with15demands,designedtoberejected.
JosefthoughtthathecouldgotowarwithSerbiawithoutgettingtherestofEurope
involved(lol).Notabledemands:
SerbgovernmentmustcondemnantiAustrianpropagandaandpunishits
distributors
AustrianofficialswillparticipateinthejudicialprocessesofSerbia
ThiswastheonlyconditionSerbiadidntacceptintheirreply48hours
later,suggestingtheytakethematterupwiththeHague
AgreatmoralvictoryforVienna,butwithiteveryreasonforwarisremoved
KaiserWilhelmII,July28thGermanythoughtthatwarwasavoidedduetothis.
July25thRussiaentersperiodpreparatorytowartechnicallynotmobilisation
July27thRussiaandBritainsuggestpeacetalks,butAHrejectsthis
July28thAHdeclareswaronSerbia,shockingGermany
July29thRussiapartiallymobilises
July30thGermanydemandsthatRussiastops
July31stRussiafullymobilises
August1stFrancemobilisestosupportRussia,GermanydeclareswaronRussia

August3rdGermanydeclareswaronFrance
August4thGermanyinvadesBelgium,BritaindeclareswaronGermanysupposedlyto
upholdthetreatyofLondonfrom1839,butmorelikelytoavoidaGermandominated
EuropewhowouldbetheirimperialrivalsanendtoBritainssplendidisolation.

TheoriesontheCausesoftheWar
TwomaincategoriesGermanysfault,notGermanysfault
ConvenientatendofwartoblameGermans
Article231TreatyofVersaillesGermanyhadtoacceptalltheblame
Germanprof.FritzFischer1961GermanysAimsinthefirstworldwar
Germanywasresponsible
Wanteddomination,usedassasinationtostartwar
Placeinthesun,desiretooccupycentraleurope
Anysmallscalewarwithonepowerhadtoleadtofullwar
5factorscausingthemtostartwar
Baddiplomaticsituation
Threatsofwarwerentachievingstuff
Loomingeconomiccrisis
Generaldiscontent
Austriamightleavethealliance
K.D.Erdmann1980WarGuiltReconsideredGerman
UseddiariesofaidetoChancellorBethmannHollweg:KurtRiezler
ChancellorwantedAustriatostaystrongandsowaspreparedto
encouragealimitedwarwithSerbia
Bonusifitweakenedotherpowers

L.Albertini1950sItalian
GBslackofdecisiveactiontopreventwarmakesitjustasresponsibleas
Germany
IftheyhadstatedpositionduringJulyCrisis,couldhavedeterred
GermanyorFr.andRussiaorboth
Foreignministergreydidntrealiseeffectivenessofthreatofuk
intervention
A.J.P.TaylorUK
Powersstumbledintowar
Blamesdisorganisationinpoliticalcirclesbluffsandthreatsgotoutof
hand
Toobigtostoponceitstarted

 Hadtouserailways,whichmeantmobilisationwasquick,hardtostop,
andhadtobefull,ratherthanpartial
GermanSchlieffenplanmeantiftheydidnothinginthefaceofRussias
mobilisationtheywouldlosetheadvantageofspeedandhavetofighta
waron2frontshadtoeitherstopRussiasmobilisationorstartthewar
ASAP
F.R.Bridge1983UK
Claimsnationswenttowarbecausetheyfeltthreatenedandwantedto
defendthemselves
Powersbecameparanoid
BalkanwarsanddefeatofTurkey19121913upsetbalance,
assassinations/Julycrisislaststraw
AHdefendingagainstslavs
Russiadefendingslavs
Germanydefendingagainstrussia
Francedefendingagainstschlieffenplan
UKdefendingbelgium
BernadotteSchmitt1958theoriginsofthefirstworldwarUSA
Blamesalliancesystem/distributionofminoritieseginAH,balticstates
Balkansseteverythingoff
The2allianceswantedtobetheonesprofiting
Julycrisishappenedtooquicklyfordiplomacytofunctionproperly
Wardidnthappenbeforebecausepowerswerentready/alliesdidntwant
tosupportthem
Alliancesservedtoturnlocalconflictintoworldwar

Causesandrelatedhistorians(foressays):
Germanysdesireforworldpower.Evidence:herpursuitofcolonies,her
expansionoftradenavaldevelopmentclaimsthatshewasbeingencircledand
deprivedofherrightfulplaceinworldaffairs[seeFischer]
GermanyssupportofAustriaHungary.Evidence:Germanysencouragementof
afirmlineagainstSerbiaandblankchequetosupportAustriaHungaryinthe
eventofwar[seeFischer].(V.closelyrelatedtoalliancesystem).
Thealliancesystemthathaddevelopedpriorto1914.Theoriginaltreatieshad
beendefensiveandprimarilyconcernedwithcolonialaffairs,subsequentmilitary
negotiationsandinternationalcriseshadweldedthemintofirmcommitmentsthat
werebroughtintoeffectandmadeaBalkanconflictintoaworldwar[see
Schmitt]

 Widespreadignoranceofwhatwarwouldbelike.TherehadbeennoEuropean
warsince1871.authorsgenerallywroteofbrightlycoloureduniforms,massed
ranksofinfantryandvictoriouschargesbythecavalrybringingaswiftand
gloriousendtothewar.Inallnations,thisencouragedwarlikenoises.(notlikely
tobethatbigacauseasthewarseemedinevitableduetotheotherreasons,
andthesamethinghappenedagaininWWII)
Thearmsrace.Thedevelopmentofnewandpowerfulweaponsinlargenumbers
undertakenforthepurposeofusingsuchweapons,whichwerenotseenas
deterrents.
Thenationalismofthegreatpowers.Evidence:Organizationslikethe
PanGermanLeagueandNavyLeaguepressingforpowerthepopularpress
anditsenthusiasmfornationalprestigeinallcountries[seeBridgemaybe,
nationalismanddefenselinked]
Affrontedbygreatpowernationalism.RussiahadbeendonebytheBosnian
affair,GermanybytheAgadircrisis(secondMoroccancrisis),leavinga
convictionthatitshouldnotbeallowedtohappenagain,andthatashowdown
wasinevitable.
NationalismofthedifferentnationalitiesinAustriaHungary,leadingtothreatsto
thestabilityofthedualmonarchy.ThisinturnencouragedAustroHungarian
leaderstoquashfirmlyanyattempttothreatenitspowerandtoseekaswiftand
easyvictorythatwouldreunitethenationalitiesagainstacommonenemyand,in
victory,conferprestige.
Theimperialconflictsofthegreatpowers,leadingtofrustrationandencouraging
theviewthatashowdownwasnecessary[partofthisisGermanyswishfora
placeinthesunseeFischer]
Themobilisationplansofthegeneralswhichwereseenasimmovableand
essentialsuccessinthewarwhenitcame.[seeTaylor]