Notes on World War I: The Prelude and Early Years

Overview of the World in 1914

• Era marked by modern technology, culture, and fashion.
• Rising tensions among European powers hinting at a coming war.
• Key players:
  • France: Wanted territory taken by Germany.
  • Germany: Aiming to expand its territory and building a formidable navy, causing British concern.
  • Austria-Hungary: Home to various ethnic groups seeking independence, particularly influenced by Russia.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• Archduke's Visit: Publicized route in Sarajevo.
• First assassination attempt: Bomb thrown but missed, injuring officers.
• Archduke returns to the streets to visit injured officers.
• Wrong turn leads to encounter with a failed assassin, resulting in his assassination.

Outbreak of War

• Austria-Hungary blames Serbia, suspecting government involvement.
• Austria-Hungary seeks support from Germany for war against Serbia.
• August 1914: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
  • Russia mobilizes in support of Serbia.
  • France aligns with Russia, leading to a domino effect of declarations of war.
  • Britain initially hesitant but enters the war after Germany invades Belgium.

Germany's War Strategy

• Schlieffen Plan: Quick defeat of France before turning to Russia due to its slower mobilization.
• Invasion through Belgium, a neutral country, leads to British intervention.
• Initial German advances slowed by Belgian resistance and atrocities committed.

Early Battles and Military Tactics

• Old military tactics clash with modern technology:
  • German Strategy: Blitzkrieg-style quick attacks, but faced with fortified French positions.
  • French uniforms easily spotted, leading to heavy casualties.
• Austria-Hungary struggles against Serbia and fails to execute a successful military strategy.
• Russians mobilize faster than expected, necessitating German troops to divert east.

Western Front and Stalemate

• German advances lead to near Paris, but counterattacks from Allies halt progress.
• Introduction of Trench Warfare:
  • Opposing trenches with no man's land.
  • Heavy artillery bombardments create psychological trauma (shell shock).
  • Attackers face devastating machine gun fire when trying to cross no man's land.
  • High casualties for minimal territorial gains.
  • Conditions in trenches: mud, corpses, disease, and vermin.

Conclusion

• Early hopes for quick victories turned into a prolonged and devastating conflict.
• The war transforms military tactics and unveils the horrors of modern warfare.