First World War (1914-1915)
First World War (1914-1915)
First World War (1914-1915)
Introduction
• Nobody
thought of a
long war
when it broke
out in
summer 1914
• Drafted
soldiers went
apparently
happy to fight
(and, of
course, win) a
short war…
Introduction
• Reality was
very much
crueler
• Soldiers and
civil
population
went through
a terrible and
long war over
more than
four years
Introduction
Text: The warmongering atmosphere in Germany before the war
"France is not yet ready for combat. Britain faces interior and colonial difficulties. Russia
rejects war, because she fears the revolution within. Are we going to wait for our
opponents to be prepared or, rather, should we take advantage of the favourable
moment to cause the decision? This is a serious issue to be settled.
The Austrian army is still faithful and useful. Italia is still strongly linked to the Triple
Alliance and even if it prefers (...) keep the peace to heal the wounds of the last war, she
knows (...) that if Germany is defeated, it will remain hopelessly at the mercy of France
and England’s violence and it will lose its independent position in the Mediterranean (...)
We can also, in case of war, count on Turkey and Romania (...)
We could lead the direction of the European policy through a resolute offensive, and we
secure our future.
This does not mean that we should provoke war, but wherever a conflict of interest turns
out(...) we should not go back, but solve it by means of war and start it with a resolute
offensive, no matter the excuse, because it is not that conflict, but our future what is at
stake. "
Text analysis
•Read carefully the text and look up every word or term you do not fully understand
•What countries are the possible enemies and allies of Germany in a future war?
•What was the enemies’ situation like?
•What was the allies’ situation like?
•According to this article, what should Germany do in 1914 to lead the European policy? Explain it in
detail.
Causes of WW1
• The new
international
expansionist
policy
(Weltpolitik)
undertaken by the
German Emperor
Wilhelm II in
1890.
• It destabilized the
international
situation.
Causes of WW1
• Changes in the
balance of
economic and
military might
between the
powers
• German economy
catched up with
UK’s and Berlin
started an
ambitious naval
rearmament
program
Causes of WW1
• Conflicts between
powers in Asia
and Africa
• Some of these
conflicts were
sorted out (France
– GB, Russia – GB)
•Germany annexed
the French regions of
Alsace and Lorraine
after the Franco-
Prussian war in 1870
•France strongly
desired to recover
those regions
Causes of WW1
• Hatred of the
neighbour was
more the norm
than the exception
Causes of WW1
• Two new non
European powers:
United States and
Japan
• Conflict took a
global dimension,
further away from
Europe
Causes of WW1
• Two new non
European powers:
United States and
Japan
• Conflict took a
global dimension,
further away from
Europe
Formation of alliances: The Triple Alliance
• The Triple Alliance:
Germany, Austria-
Hungary and Italy.
• It was signed in
1882 (Bismarck)
• It was concluded by
1907.
• German expansionism
led to Britain and France
to end their colonial
differences.
• Rapid attack on
France through
neutral Belgium
• After defeating
France, German
troops could turn
about and attack
Russia, backward
country that would
need a long time to
mobilize their troops
1914 – War of movements
Battle of Marne, 1914
•Machine guns
•Grenades
•Gas
•Flame throwers
•Tanks
Battle of Somme,
1916
1915-1916: The war of attrition
Battle of Passchendaele,
1917
1917: The Turning Point of the War
The victors: Lloyd George (GB), Orlando (It), Clemenceau (Fr) and Wilson (USA)
The Peace Treaties
War reparations
•Germany has to pay for
the damage caused to the
Allies
•A huge amount of money
was fixed without any
consultation to Germany
The Treaty of Versailles
Territorial losses
The Treaty of Versailles
Military Clauses:
•Demilitarization of the
Rhineland region.