Crash Course European History: Prelude to World War I

Introduction

• Host: John Green
• Focus: Causes and complexities leading to World War I

Traditional Causes of WWI

• Alliance system
• Arms buildup
• Secret treaties
• Nationalism and imperialism
• Traditional view: political leaders' actions led to war

New Historical Perspectives

• Complex road to war involving social and cultural changes
  • Changing family structures
  • Scientific paradigm shifts
  • Gender role disruptions
  • Achievement of voting rights
  • Rise of the social system and economic advances
• Resulted in disorientation, dislocation, resentments, and fear

Pre-War Tensions

• Europe experienced violence and unrest before WWI
  • Strikes and violence across Europe
  • Assassinations and ethnic violence, notably anti-Semitism and the Dreyfus Affair in France
  • Colonial tensions and massacres (e.g., Herero genocide by Germany)
  • Rebellions against colonial powers (e.g., Boer War, Boxer Rebellion)

Alliance System and Militarization

• Otto von Bismarck’s alliances aimed to prevent war
  • Dual Alliance: Germany and Austria (1879)
  • Triple Alliance: Added Italy (1882)
  • Reinsurance Treaty with Russia
• Shift under Kaiser Wilhelm II
  • Cancelled treaty with Russia, leading to Franco-Russian alliance
  • Expansionist policies
• Entente Cordiale between France and Britain, later Triple Entente with Russia
• Militarization: Growth of standing armies and dreadnoughts
  • Military-industrial complex development

Revolutionary Movements and Local Wars

• Russian Revolution of 1905 against Tsarist regime
• Rising tensions in the Balkans, secret societies, and nationalist movements
  • Young Turks' revolt in 1908
  • Balkan Wars (1912-1913)
• Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia increased Serbian anger

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• Gavrilo Princip's assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914
• Assassination viewed as an occupational hazard at the time
• Initial belief in diplomatic resolution despite history of violence

European Powers’ March Toward War

• General staffs' preparation, competition for empire
• Social and cultural changes fostering tension
• Militarization making war seem inevitable
• German General Staff’s 1912 belief in inevitable war

Conclusion

• Complexity of many decisions leading to war
• Role of misinformation and militarization in escalating tensions

Conclusion and Sign-off

• The narrative that war was not solely due to political decisions but a culmination of many societal factors
• Thanks to patrons and viewers
• Encouragement to continue learning and supporting educational initiatives

Note: These notes aim to summarize the key points and complexities discussed in the lecture on the causes and prelude to World War I as presented by John Green.