FIRST WORLD WAR

CAUSES
On 28​th​June 1914, in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia ruled Austro-Hungarian, a
member of “Young Bosnia” killed the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife.
Historians attribute the fault of the murder to Serbia because of its attitude of
intolerance against Austria-Hungary and of its Nationalism.

Militarism​: the belief that it was necessary to have strong armed forces and that
they should be used in order to win political or economic advantages spread among
Europe.
Alliances​: ​The Triple Alliance was stipulated in 1882 between Germany,
Austria-Hungary and Italy, that were named “Central Powers”. It was a net of
alliances and treats that guaranteed a sosteign between States in case of war. Italy
accepted to take part of the Triple Alliance in order to neutralize and to stop its
expansion into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Triple Entente was stipulated in 1907 between France, Great Britain and
Russia, that were called “Allies”. This alliance was defensive too.
The tension between Germany and France was also caused by the territory of
Alsace-Lorraine: it was rich in coal, iron and steel, and in 1871 Germany conquered
it.
Imperialism​: ​this ideology spread among European States, that wanted to conquer
more land in order to become more powerful and dominant. For this reason, they
started to colonize the African and Asian areas.
Nationalism and Patriotism​:​ one is exalting on nation above all others, the other
one is love for or devotion to one country. In the struggle of survival, the weak
perished and the strong dominated. Germany was in the middle of two of its
enemies: France and Russia, so that the country had geographical disadvantage.

Schlieffen Plan: ​In 1905 Alfred Von Schlieffen created the Schlieffen Plan that was
a military plan whose aim was to ​conquer Paris​ and France quickly, by crossing
Belgium. Germany organized its troops by sending the majority of the troops to
France while only a small number had to stop Russia.
Belgium was a neutral state: it was weaker than Germany but maintained a fierce
resistance against the enemy also helped by the British expeditionary forces, the
British Standing Army.

Battle of the Marne (trenches)​: It was a race to the sea and marked the changing
from mobile war to a stalemate of a war of attrition: both Germany and Britain did
not manage to defeat the enemy: neither side seemed to be stronger and could not
defeat the other one.​ ​Sometimes soldiers had to go “over the top” which meant
leaving the “safety” of their trenches and going in to ‘No Man’s Land’ and attacking
the enemy.

Technological developments → ​Tanks,Machine gun, Gas, Aircraft, Artillery

caused the greatest number of deaths

Italy ​decided to join the Entente Powers in ​1915 ​as they promised Trentino Alto
Adige, South Tyrol until the Brenner Pass, Friuli Venezia Giulia and finally Istria in
case of victory. Italy declared its neutrality on 2 August 1914: no national spirit,
different positions:

1. ​NEUTRALISTS​: The Church was against the entry in the conflict for moral
reasons. the Reformists Socialists believed that war was strictly chained to
imperialism and would have been beneficial only to Capitalists and not for
proletarians; Giolitti thought that Italy shouldn’t enter the war in order to take
advantage from its neutral position;

2. ​INTERVENTIONISTS​: Democratic intellectuals, Cesare Battisti (liberal socialist

that was captured in Monte Corno in Vallarsa, made a lot of people become socialist
and against Church, he was hanged and did not receive the blessedness for his
political position), Gaetano Salvemini. They wanted reconquer Trento and Trieste.
Benito Mussolini joined this group and in 1914 created ‘Il Popolo d’Italia’ founded by
industrial activists. Revolutionary Socialists → right price to pay for the victory of the
proletariat

3. ​NATIONALISTS​: Enrico Corradini founded it, against socialism, inspired to

Marx’s theory, State above citizens, aspired to a powerful Italy, against democracy

Battle of Caporetto: ​German managed to conquer Caporetto and the italian army
had to retreat losing weapons and soldiers.
British Blockade​: GB attempted to prevent goods or equipment being imported to
Germany. Germany’s ability to feed her population was badly affected (food
shortages).
Submarine warfare: ​In 1915 Germany launched a campaign of unrestricted
submarine warfare. German U-boats would target any ship which appeared to be en
route to Great Britain and Ireland (​Lusitania​: passenger liner from New York to
Liverpool, it sank within twenty minutes with 1,098 lives lost including over 100
Americans. This caused tensions between Germany and the US.) Britain was forced
to introduce rationing.
1917→ Turning Point
1. USA enters the war
2. Russia exits the war because of the Bolshevik revolution (abdication of
Nicolas II and provisional government). Food shortages in Russia were mainly
caused by the poor quality of the railway network and the backward agriculture
system.
It was a TOTAL WAR→ heavy impact on civilians
Why did Germany sign the armistice? ​Germany wanted to avoid revolution (like
the Bolshevik one) as living condition were already difficult.

TREATY OF VERSAILLES
Peace conference in Paris during 1919 Versailles settlement was the result of
discussion held between the victorious countries. They did want to prevent a repeat
of another war. ​The role of the “Big 3” in the peacemaking process
Clemenceau, Wilson (US) → created 14 points regarding the peace settlement,
Lloyd George

·​What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

→ ​Germany was forced to accept total responsibility for starting the war
Reparations​: Germany had to accept liability for the damage caused by war
and pay reparations.
The Rhineland​: demilitarized zone. There was to be an Allied army of
occupation on the west bank of the Rhine for 15 years.
Anschluss​: Germany and its former ally Austria were not allowed to unite.
Disarmament​: German had no tanks, heavy artillery, military or naval air force
or submarines were permitted. Also, they lost many ​Territories​.

What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany up to 1923?

They were being punished twice. Firstly through reparations and secondly by
being deprived of important industrial areas, such as the Saar. It was seen as
insulting that they were not invited to join the League of Nations. The Treaty
was seen as the symbol of Germany’s humiliation.