World War I
The World Wars led to nation's shifting boundaries, human atrocities such as the Holocaust, dramatic losses of life from fighting two global wars, environmental devastation from not only the atomic bomb being used in Japan but also from the repeated bombing in London, and repeated attempts to bring stability and peace to the world through organizations such as The League of Nations and later the United Nations. For a broad overview of World War I watch this animated video from John Ruddy.
Vocabulary Words for World War I (Chapter 14)
Causes of World War I
World War I was caused by buildup of tensions over a long period of time between European nations. They are known as the MAIN causes like this graphic organizer below shows.
To learn more, check out this Prezi presentation on the major reasons that World War I occurred. Then you can look at each of the main causes in more detail.
Militarism
Many nations had a policy of building up and maintaining a strong armed forces. Great Britain and Germany raced to have the largest military. This map below shows the growing amount of money in millions of dollars that nations were spending on their military during this period.
Alliances
Military agreements formed among nations. Many of which were done in secret. In 1882, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy formed the Triple Alliance in 1882. These nations would become known as the CENTRAL POWERS. In reaction, the Triple Entente was formed in 1907. The Triple Entente consisted of Great Britain, France, and Russia.
Imperialism
Countries wanted to gain economic and political control of weaker nations. European nations divided much of Africa in order to obtain raw materials and have markets to sell their goods. European nations also forced China to grant them trading rights. In China, area was divided into spheres of influence where nations controlled trade in that area.
Nationalism
Nations had a strong sense of loyalty to their nation and concern for their countries welfare. Groups in Turkey and in Austria-Hungary wanted to be independent based on Pan-Slavism. They felt there culture and language were different from those ruling the country. European nations also sought to add land to their empire especially land that was lost to them.
This presentation below gives you some more background information if you need it on the MAIN long term causes of World War I.
World War I: The World is at War
World War I began in the Balkan area. Although many Serbs lived in Bosnia, it was still ruled by Austria-Hungary. Serb Nationalists felt that Bosnia belonged to Serbia. Gavrilo Princip, a member of the radical Slavic nationalists group that opposed Austrian rule shot and killed Archduke Ferdinand and his wife while they were travelling through Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia.
After the assassination, a chain reaction was set off which led to hostile action. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for this terrorism. They wanted to crush Serbian Nationalism. Germany felt it had to be loyal to Austria Hungary. Russia feared that Austria-Hungary wanted to rule Slavic people who they supported. France backed Russia and felt that it might someday need Russian support. Great Britain feared that Germany might cross the English Channel and felt a duty to protect Belgium as well. Thus a world war broke out!
Wartime Propaganda
Music and posters helped create the image that men who went off to fight were not only helping their nation but also that they were on a great adventure.
To listen to some of the music of World War I, check out this link to Songs from WWI.
Developments of Wartime Technology
Much of World War I was a stalemate between the Germany and France along the Western Front. This graphic provides you with a look at how the trenches were set up for each side.
However, after nearly four years of no progress for either side, technology would change that. This video will explain many of the first technologies that were brought about during World War I.
To learn more about the advances of technology during WWI take a look at this video from history channel as well as these google slides.
This graphic below shows you that World War I was the beginning of using chemical agents such as Tear Gas, Mustard Gas, Phosgense and Diphosgene Gas, and Chlorine gas. Although the Germans were responsible for most of the deaths caused by chemical agents, other nations such as Britain and France also used chemical warfare during World War I.
Preventing another World War
President Wilson attempted to negotiate peace throughout Europe and in the United States with his Fourteen Points and the creation of League of Nations.
This presentation below will give you more background information into Wilson's plan. Although he campaigned hard for the United States to join, The Senate did not approve Treaty of Versailles and the U.S. joining this international peace organization. The Senate believed that it was Congress alone that voted for the U.S. to join a war that was in the best interest of the United States to fight. They did not want to be coerced to join a war based on an alliance that was created by the League.
This graphic below shows some of the major provisions for The Treaty of Versailles.You can see how Germany was punished. They had to accept all guilt for the war. They had to cede land. They had to pay reparations to France and Britain. They also had to limit the size of their Army and were limited on weapons as well.
