Euro100 Lecture - Week 10: European Society and the First World War

Introduction

• Focus on the impact of World War One on European society.
• How WWI links to changing ideas of European society's organization.
• Three-part lecture covering pre-WWI nationalism and imperialism, WWI consequences, and post-WWI settlements.

Nationalism and Imperialism in the Late 19th Century

Nationalism

• 19th-century nationalism: divided between 'from below' (revolutions of 1848) and 'from above' (state-led unification).
• Example figures: Giuseppe Garibaldi (Italy, 'from below'), Otto von Bismarck (Germany, 'from above').

European Imperialism

• Expansion of European empires in the late 19th century.
• New Imperialism driven by technological advances (Industrial Revolution) and social Darwinism.
• Social Darwinism: distorted application of Darwin's theories to justify imperialism.
• Key examples: scramble for Africa, British Empire in India, Belgian Congo.

World War One

Causes

• Triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
• Complex alliance systems led to widespread war.

The War

• Unexpectedly prolonged, leading to trench warfare on the Western Front.
• Introduction of new military technologies: tanks, airplanes, submarines, and chemical warfare.
• Total war mobilized entire societies.

Impact

• Massive social changes, including shifts in gender roles due to women's participation in the workforce.
• Colonial troops from empires contributed to the war effort.

Post-War Settlement

Treaty of Versailles

• Harsh terms imposed on Germany, including reparations and war guilt clause.
• Created resentment in Germany, contributing to instability in the 1920s and 1930s.

New Political Landscape

• Creation of new nations from former empires: Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia, etc.
• League of Nations founded to prevent future conflicts (discussed further in next week's lecture).

Interwar Period and Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

Economic Instability

• Hyperinflation in Germany, Great Depression impacts globally.
• Political instability leads to rise of socialist and fascist movements.

Rise of Fascism

• Fascism defined by totalitarian rule, nationalism, cult of personality, and acceptance of violence.
• Key figures: Mussolini in Italy, Hitler in Germany.

Soviet Communism

• Russian Revolution led to the establishment of the USSR.
• Stalin's regime characterized by totalitarianism, rapid industrialization, and political purges.

Other Conflicts

• Spanish Civil War as a precursor to WWII, highlighting ideological battles between fascism and communism.

Conclusion

• Complex interplay of nationalism, imperialism, and totalitarianism in early 20th-century Europe.
• Problems from WWI settlement and rise of extremist ideologies set stage for WWII.

• Next lecture: Focus on WWII, led by Tracy.
• Final lecture in Week 12.