Lecture Notes: Introduction to The Great War Channel

Overview

• Presenter: Indy Neidell
• Channel: The Great War
• Content: Covers World War 1 from July 28, 1914, to November 11, 1918, on a weekly basis, 100 years later.

Prelude to War Episodes

• Purpose: Provide background context for the initial weeks of WW1.
• Key Event Mentioned: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, which led to the onset of WW1.

Consequences of World War 1

• Massive global impact affecting every person and country.
• Four empires ceased to exist, emergence of new nations.
• Explosive growth of social movements (e.g., internationalism, fascism).
• Significant technological advancements:
  • Transition from cars and planes to tanks, bombers, and large planes by 1918.
• High human cost: Approximately 40 million casualties, nearly 10 million soldiers dead.

Causes of the Great War

• European war talk prevalent in early 20th century.
• Influences:
  • Revolutionary sentiment and labor unrest.
  • Feverish nationalism.

German Influence in Europe

• Prussia and Germany's Rise: Became leading power in Europe post-1871.
• Cultural Capital: Berlin as the hub for serious study and technological innovations.
• Vision of a German Europe: Not a Nazi vision, but a German-influenced Europe.
  • Desired a multinational German Commonwealth.
  • Sought protection and resources (coal, steel, colonies).

Austro-Hungarian Empire's Instability

• Tied to Germany since 1879 but shaky due to mismanagement.
• Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908 caused international protests.
• Anti-Austrian sentiment among Slavic nations.

European Alliances and Tensions

• Complex alliance system maintained peace for over 40 years.
• Key alliances:
  • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, (and nominally Italy).
  • Triple Entente: England, France, Russia.
• Germany's naval expansion under Kaiser Wilhelm opposed by Britain.
  • Led to strained relations and naval arms race.

Unique German-British Relationship

• Mutual admiration, but tension due to naval expansion.
• Germany's naval build-up criticized internally and externally.
• British response: Naval outbuilding and further alliances with France and Russia.

Conclusion

• Future episodes will explore other regions and questions such as economic situations and potential civil conflicts.
• Interaction encouraged through comments and questions.

Additional Resources

• Show available in German and Polish.
• Subscription encouraged for ongoing episodes.