Notes on World War I Lecture

Introduction

• Timeframe: July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918
• Major Powers Involved:
  • Allied Bloc: France (supported by the UK and Russia)
  • Central Powers: German Empire (supported by Austro-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman Empire)
• Importance of World War I despite being less popular than World War II.

Background of World War I

• Weakening of Ottoman Empire in the Balkans due to nationalism.
  • Countries that gained independence: Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Albania, and Bulgaria.
• Rise of Germany after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 leading to the formation of the German Empire.
• Formation of Austro-Hungary after the Austrian Empire's loss to Prussia in 1866.

Otto von Bismarck's Role

• Bismarck's foreign policy aimed at isolating France.
• Formation of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austro-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, UK).
• The alliances complicated the European political landscape leading to conflicts in the Balkans.

Prelude to War

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary on June 28, 1914, by Gavrilo Princip of the nationalist group Mlada Bosna.
• This incident triggered the July Crisis leading to the declarations of war.

Diplomatic Maneuvering

• Austria-Hungary accused Serbia of involvement in the assassination and issued an ultimatum.
• Serbia's partial compliance led Austria-Hungary to declare war on July 28, 1914.

Outbreak of War

• Russia mobilized to support Serbia, leading Germany to declare war on Russia on August 1, 1914.
• Germany declared war on France on August 3, 1914, and invaded Belgium on August 5, prompting Britain to join the war on August 4, 1914.

Major Phases of the War

• Early German victories in August 1914, but significant defeats, such as the First Battle of the Marne (September 1914).
• Expansion of the war into Africa and the Middle East, with the Ottoman Empire joining the Central Powers.
• Key battles included the Battle of Gallipoli and the Battle of Isonzo.

U.S. Involvement and Turning Point

• U.S. joined the war on April 6, 1917, after provocation from German U-Boat attacks.
• Russia exited the war due to internal problems, leading to the formation of the Soviet Union.

Conclusion of the War

• Major defeats for Central Powers leading to their collapse in late 1918.
• Armistice signed on November 11, 1918.
• Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919) held Germany responsible for the war, leading to territorial losses and the formation of new nations.

Aftermath

• Collapse of empires (Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman) and reconfiguration of European territories.
• Rise of new countries and the establishment of different political regimes, setting the stage for future conflicts, including World War II.

Key Takeaways

• The war reshaped international relations and national borders in Europe and beyond.
• The consequences of the First World War laid the groundwork for future global conflicts, specifically World War II.