IES Francisco Nieva Geografía e Historia Bilingüe

UNIT 5 IWW

The First World War and the Russian Revolutions (1914–1921)

1. Introduction

The First World War, fought between 1914 and 1918, was one of the greatest conflicts in human history. It involved the major powers of the time, divided into two main alliances: the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) and the Allied Powers (France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, Japan, and, later, the United States).

The war had global consequences, leading to the downfall of four great empires, millions of deaths, and profound political and social changes that paved the way for new ideologies such as communism and fascism. The Russian Revolutions of 1917, arising in the context of the war, marked the beginning of the Soviet regime and permanently transformed international politics.

2. Causes of the Conflict

The origins of the First World War were complex and intertwined:

Nationalism: The emergence of strong nationalist movements, particularly in the Balkans, increased tensions among European powers.
Imperialism: The competition for colonies in Africa and Asia intensified rivalries between powers such as Great Britain, France, and Germany.
Militarism: The arms race and the glorification of military power led to enormous stockpiles of weapons and war plans ready to be activated.
Alliance System: Europe was divided into two opposing blocs — the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Great Britain, and Russia).
Immediate Cause: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, by the Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip, triggered a chain of declarations of war.

3. Development of the War

a) The War of Movement (1914)

The conflict began with the Schlieffen Plan, through which Germany attempted a rapid victory by invading Belgium and attacking France from the north. However, the Battle of the Marne (September 1914) halted the German advance and marked the beginning of trench warfare.

b) The War of Positions (1915–1917)

Both sides entrenched themselves along vast defensive lines, particularly on the Western Front. The Battles of Verdun and the Somme (1916) symbolized the brutality of trench warfare, resulting in millions of deaths with minimal territorial gain.
On the Eastern Front, Germany achieved major victories at Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes.
In the south, the Allies failed in the Gallipoli Campaign (1915), while Italy joined the war on the side of the Allies through the Treaty of London.

c) The End of the War (1917–1918)

The year 1917 marked a turning point. The United States entered the war after repeated German submarine attacks, while Russia withdrew following the Bolshevik Revolution and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918).
In 1918, Germany launched a final offensive that was repelled by the Allied counteroffensive, culminating in the Armistice of Compiègne on November 11, 1918.

4. Consequences of the War

Human and material losses: More than 10 million dead and 20 million wounded; devastated economies and cities.
Political consequences: The collapse of the German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian Empires.
Social consequences: The incorporation of women into industrial work and the strengthening of pacifist movements.
Economic crisis: Europe was left in debt and economically weakened, while the United States emerged as a new global power.
Ideological consequences: The rise of totalitarian ideologies (communism, fascism, and Nazism).

5. Peace Treaties and the Reorganization of Europe

The Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920) redrew the map of Europe.

Treaty of Versailles (1919): Imposed severe sanctions on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and reparations.
Treaties of Saint-Germain and Trianon: Dissolved the Austro-Hungarian Empire, creating new states such as Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and Yugoslavia.
Treaty of Sèvres: Disintegrated the Ottoman Empire, giving rise to the modern state of Turkey.
Creation of the League of Nations, proposed by President Woodrow Wilson, to prevent future conflicts.

However, the harsh conditions of Versailles sowed the seeds of resentment that would later lead to World War II.

6. The Russian Revolutions (1917)

a) Background

At the beginning of the 20th century, Russia was an autocratic and agrarian empire ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. Industrial backwardness, social inequality, and the humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1905) fueled discontent. The 1905 Revolution led to limited reforms and the creation of the Duma, but real power remained in the hands of the Tsar.

The disastrous participation of Russia in World War I — with millions of casualties and shortages — further weakened the regime.

b) The February Revolution (1917)

In Petrograd (St. Petersburg), protests over food shortages and the war escalated into a general strike. The army joined the uprising, forcing Nicholas II to abdicate. A Provisional Government, led by Alexander Kerensky, was established, promising democratic reforms and the continuation of the war — a decision that cost it popular support.

c) The October Revolution (1917)

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, overthrew the Provisional Government in October 1917. The new Soviet Government withdrew Russia from the war (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, March 1918), redistributed land among peasants, and nationalized key industries.

d) The Civil War (1918–1921)

A brutal conflict broke out between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White forces (monarchists, liberals, and foreign interventionists). The Bolsheviks ultimately triumphed, consolidating the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922.

During the war, War Communism was imposed — the state took control of production and requisitioned agricultural goods. The severe crisis that followed led Lenin to introduce the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921, allowing limited private trade to rebuild the economy.

7. The Historical Significance of the Period

The First World War marked the end of the 19th-century European order and the beginning of a new era dominated by global ideologies and social upheaval.
The Russian Revolution inspired revolutionary movements around the world, while the peace treaties left unresolved tensions that would erupt again in 1939.

Both events transformed the political, economic, and ideological map of the 20th century, giving rise to a new world order in which liberal democracies, fascist regimes, and socialist states coexisted and competed for global dominance.

The First World War and the Russian Revolutions (1914–1921)

Key Facts and Reference Summary

1. MAIN HISTORICAL FIGURES

World War I

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria – heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, assassinated in Sarajevo (1914).
Gavrilo Princip – assassin of the Archduke, member of the Black Hand organization.
Kaiser Wilhelm II – German emperor during the war.
Tsar Nicholas II – last Russian emperor.
George V – King of the United Kingdom.
Raymond Poincaré – President of France.
Woodrow Wilson – President of the United States, author of the Fourteen Points.
David Lloyd George – British Prime Minister.
Georges Clemenceau – French Prime Minister (“The Tiger”), harsh toward Germany.
Ferdinand Foch – Supreme Allied Commander in 1918.
Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff – leading German generals.
Vittorio Orlando – Italian representative at the Paris Peace Conference.

Russian Revolutions

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) – Bolshevik leader and head of the Soviet government.
Leon Trotsky – organizer of the Red Army, key revolutionary figure.
Alexander Kerensky – head of the Provisional Government (February–October 1917).
Nicholas II Romanov – last Russian Tsar, abdicated in 1917.
Joseph Stalin – Bolshevik leader, future successor of Lenin.
Rasputin – mystic with influence in the Tsarist court.

2. AGREEMENTS AND TREATIES

Treaty of London (1915) – Italy joined the Entente Powers.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918) – peace between Soviet Russia and Germany.
Armistice of Compiègne (November 11, 1918) – end of the war.
Treaty of Versailles (1919) – imposed harsh conditions on Germany.
Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919) – dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Treaty of Trianon (1920) – territorial reduction of Hungary.
Treaty of Neuilly (1919) – sanctions on Bulgaria.
Treaty of Sèvres (1920) – partition of the Ottoman Empire.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918) – U.S. peace proposal and basis for the League of Nations.

3. KEY DATES

June 28, 1914 – Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo.
July 28, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia (start of the war).
August 1914 – Germany invaded Belgium and France (Schlieffen Plan).
September 1914 – Battle of the Marne (halt of the German advance).
1915 – Italy entered the war (Treaty of London).
1916 – Battles of Verdun and the Somme.
April 1917 – United States entered the war.
February and October 1917 – Russian Revolutions.
March 3, 1918 – Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
Spring 1918 – German final offensive.
November 11, 1918 – Armistice signed; end of the war.
June 28, 1919 – Treaty of Versailles signed.
1921 – End of the Russian Civil War and introduction of the NEP.

4. MAJOR BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS

Battle of the Marne (1914) – stopped the German advance toward Paris.
Battle of Tannenberg (1914) – German victory over Russia.
Battle of the Masurian Lakes (1914) – another Russian defeat.
Battle of Gallipoli (1915) – failed Allied invasion of Ottoman territory.
Battle of Verdun (1916) – one of the bloodiest battles of the war.
Battle of the Somme (1916) – Allied offensive with massive casualties.
Battle of Caporetto (1917) – disastrous Italian defeat.
Battle of Amiens (1918) – beginning of the final Allied offensive.

5. ALLIANCES AND BLOCS

Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (Italy switched sides in 1915).
Triple Entente (1907): France, the United Kingdom, Russia.
Central Powers (during the war): Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria.
Allied Powers: France, the United Kingdom, Russia (until 1917), Italy (from 1915), the United States (from 1917), Japan, Serbia, Romania, Belgium, Greece, and Portugal.

6. POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES

Collapse of four empires: German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Ottoman.
Creation of new states: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Yugoslavia.
Foundation of the League of Nations to prevent future wars.
Rise of the United States and Japan as global powers.
Expansion of women’s suffrage in Britain and the United States.
Growth of extremist ideologies: communism, fascism, and nationalism.

7. PHASES OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONS

Background (1905–1917): social unrest and political repression under the Tsarist regime.
February Revolution (1917): abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and formation of the Provisional Government under Kerensky.
October Revolution (1917): Bolshevik seizure of power led by Lenin and Trotsky.
Civil War (1918–1921): conflict between the “Reds” (Bolsheviks) and the “Whites” (monarchists, liberals, and foreign forces).
War Communism: state control of production and requisitioning of food.
New Economic Policy (NEP, 1921): partial reintroduction of market mechanisms to rebuild the economy.

8. KEY CONCEPTS

War of movement: initial phase (1914) characterized by rapid offensives.
Trench warfare: static frontlines and attrition battles (1915–1917).
Total war: mobilization of all national resources for the war effort.
War economy: state-directed production and rationing.
Propaganda: used to sustain morale and demonize the enemy.
Universal women’s suffrage: gained momentum after wartime participation.
Soviet: council of workers, peasants, or soldiers.
Bolshevik: member of the radical faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party.
Cheka: political police created by Lenin in 1917.
NEP: New Economic Policy, a compromise between socialism and capitalism introduced in 1921.

THESE QUESTIONS HAVE NOT YET APPEARED WITH THEIR RIGHT BLACK TONE. WHEN THEY DO, THEIR WRITING WILL BE MANDATORY.

Essay / Long-Answer Questions

Causes of the War: Analyze the underlying (long-term) causes and the immediate trigger of World War I. How did they interact to create a general war?
Trench Warfare: Describe the nature of "war of position" or trench warfare. Why did the conflict reach this stalemate, and what were its consequences for the societies and economies of the belligerent nations?
Treaty of Versailles: Explain the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany. To what extent did this treaty plant the seeds for future conflict in Europe?
Global Consequences: Discuss the major political, social, and economic consequences of World War I. How did the war mark the "end of an era" and reshape the global order?
From February to October: Compare and contrast the February Revolution and the October Revolution of 1917 in Russia. What were the causes, key actors, and outcomes of each?
Role of Lenin: Evaluate the role of Vladimir Lenin in the success of the Bolshevik Revolution and the establishment of Soviet power. Consider his ideology, strategy, and leadership.
Russian Civil War: Explain the causes, main sides, and outcome of the Russian Civil War (1918-1921). Why were the Bolsheviks (Reds) ultimately victorious?
War and Revolution: "World War I was the indispensable catalyst for the Russian Revolutions of 1917." To what extent do you agree with this statement? Support your answer with specific evidence.
Ideological Impact: How did the outcomes of World War I and the Russian Revolution together create a new ideological landscape for the 20th century, characterized by the struggle between communism, fascism, and liberal democracy?

Short-Answer / Identification Questions

Define militarism and give one example of how it contributed to WWI.
What was the Schlieffen Plan and why did it fail?
Identify the significance of the Battle of the Marne (1914).
What was "total war" and how did it affect civilian populations?
Explain the purpose and failure of the League of Nations.
Who was Gavrilo Princip and what was his role in 1914?
What were Wilson's Fourteen Points?
Define "War Communism" and state one of its main features.
Who was Alexander Kerensky and what was the Provisional Government's fatal mistake?
What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and why was it significant for Russia and Germany?
Explain the purpose of Lenin's New Economic Policy (NEP).
What was the Cheka?

Multiple Choice / True or False Stimulus

(Note: These would be accompanied by a map, quote, chart, or political cartoon.)

Based on a Map of Europe in 1914 vs. 1924:

Which of the following new countries appeared after WWI?
Which empire lost the most territory according to these maps?

Based on a Chart of War Casualties:

Which front/battle appears to have been the most costly?
What generalization can be made about the scale of casualties in WWI?

Based on a Quote from Lenin (e.g., "Peace, Land, and Bread" or "All Power to the Soviets"):

This slogan was primarily aimed at gaining the support of which group?
The quote best reflects the Bolshevik promise to solve which problem?

Based on a Political Cartoon on the Treaty of Versailles:

The cartoonist likely views the treaty as...
Which figure in the cartoon represents "Germany"?

True or False Statements:

Italy fought for the Central Powers throughout the entire war.
The United States entered the war in 1917 primarily due to the Zimmerman Telegram.
The February Revolution resulted in the immediate establishment of a communist state.
The Red Army was led by Leon Trotsky during the Civil War.
The NEP involved a full return to capitalist market principles.

Chronology and Matching Questions

Put the following events in correct chronological order:

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Battle of the Somme, Assassination of Franz Ferdinand, October Revolution, Armistice of Compiègne.

Match the person with their description:

1. Woodrow Wilson | 2. Vladimir Lenin | 3. Georges Clemenceau | 4. Rasputin
- a) Bolshevik leader who returned to Russia in a sealed train.
- b) U.S. President who proposed the League of Nations.
- c) French Premier who sought harsh revenge on Germany.
- d) Mystic who influenced the Russian royal family.

Match the treaty with its consequence:

1. Treaty of Versailles | 2. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk | 3. Treaty of Saint-Germain
- a) Ended Russian involvement in WWI, ceding vast territories.
- b) Dissolved the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
- c) Imposed war guilt and reparations on Germany.

Comparison and Analysis Questions

Compare the Eastern and Western Fronts in WWI in terms of mobility, strategy, and outcome.
Contrast the goals and methods of the Provisional Government (Feb-Oct 1917) with those of the Bolsheviks.
How did the experience and outcome of WWI differ for Russia and the United States?

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