WW1

Because of the colonization of Africa (economical advantage)

Resulted in Arms race between the powers

Britain and Germany started the Naval arms race, which led to other colonial powers joining

Conflict extended

A lack of diplomatic skills by William II (emperor of Germany) —> worsened the tension

(1896): A Telegram from William II to an african leader to congrat him about fighting british forces (Provocation from German Empire)

Triple Entente: Great Britain, France and Russia

against

Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy

Bosnian crisis:

Anexxation of Bosnia by Austia-Hungary in 1908

Balkan Wars:

Two military conflicts that deprived the Ottoman Empire of almost all its remaining territory in Europe (1912-13)

German Situation: Isolated and threatened by encirclement of hostile nations ; Austria-Hungary was a weak ally

28 June 1914:

Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot by serb assassin

Blank cheque on 6 July:

Germany declared suppport for AH to deter Russia from interfering

23 July:

AH officially blamed Serbia for the assassination

25 July:

Russia announced her support for Serbia — Serbia rejected ultimatum from AH

28 July:

Austria declared war on Serbia — began with bombardment of Belgrad

31 July:

Russia began to mobilize troops to aid Serbia

1 August:

Germany declared war on Russia

3 August:

Germany invaded neutral belgium and declared war on France

German plan on how to prevent a 2-front-war

How it was planned:

• German qould march through Belgium

• Quickly defeating France within 42 days

• Russia would take this time to mobilize their troops

How it went:

• Britain protected Belgium and declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914

• They didnt defeat France

• Russia was faster than expected

plan didnt work out and worsened the situation

Triple Entente was at war with central powers

• enthusiasm for war (industrialization, new weapons, new experiences)

• affection of citizens

• —> economy suffered, mass destruction, etc.

• Germany didnt manage to defeat France as planned (stalemate situation)

• Most used war strategy: trench warfare and war of attrition

• Germany against Russia: war of attrition

• turkey and bulgaria entered war for central power ; Romania for allied powers

• USA entered the war in 1917 —> advantage for allies

• bad relation between germany and USA —> reason for their entry

Annexionist: wanted to gain territory from war

Supporters of the idea of Central Europe (indirect rule over continent by unions, economic interdependence and financial dependence)

—> aims became more and more unrealistic

• 1917: majority of Reichstag wanted peace based on compromise

• —> didnt work out because foreign policy and military wasnt under control

• —> victory peace was wanted

• political and economic weakening of Germany; on continent and as colonial power

• reintegration of Alsace-Lorraine into France (Teile des Rheinlands / Territorium)

• restoration of Belgian sovereignty

• idea of river Rhine forming possible border from France and Germany

March 1918, Soviet Union ended war with Central powers

Us-involvement caused failure of the last German offensive

—> soldiers didn’t want to fight anymore (they knew they were defeated)

14 August 1918, OHL (Oberste Heeresleitung) declared war to be unwinnable

On 11 November 1918 in Compiegne

Established by the “Big Three”: George Clemenceau (France), David Lloyed George (Britain) and Woodrow Wilson (USA)

• discussed that Germany takes the full blame for all damages of WW1

• —> they have to pay all reperation costs

• —> German coal mines are given to France and Saar Basin is not governed anymore

• —> Alsace-Lorraine is given to France

• —> Germany loses all colonies

• —> Demilitarization (army is only for securing their territory)

• —> no German fortifications among Rhine

—> It resulted in the Foundation of the League of Nations (precursor of United Nations)

Aims of the USA for the Negotiations after the war:

• open covenants; diplomacy

• Alsace-Lorraine should be freed; in interest of all

• Impartial adjustments of colonies

• Armaments in Germany are reduced; only for domestic safety

• Germany should have a place of equality if they want to

• Countries that are supposed to get support for building their country up: Russia, Belgium, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, Poland

• Foundation of association of nations for guarantees of independence (=League of nations)

Theory as to why Germany lost the war:

• The German people didn’t put enough trust into the German army anymore

• German politics stopped supporting the German army

• There was no discipline left in the German military

• Socialists were undermining the spirit

—> Responsible for Germany’s defeat: the socialists, not the German army

• Russia: revolution changed the state system (from autocracy to democracy/communism = Soviet Union)

• Germany: had to take thesole guilt

• Austria-Hungary: Disolution into several smaller states, right to self-determination

• —> paved way for new conflicts

• —> Anschluss to Germany from Austria was forbidden

• Italy: change of government; facist regime

• Spain: change of government

• Ottoman Empire is dissolved

• Germany wanted a war to expand territory and become a global power

• war was planned and Germany was prepared

• Germany triggered the war in order to achieve their aims (e.g. the Chancellor did)

• Reading history backwards

—> only Germany’s fault

• “sleepwalkers”: they did it unconsciously, didn’t really know what they were doing

• in every European country, there were crises

• tensions between European countries

• everyone had their interests in mind

• we shouldn’t blame one single country

• there is no right or wrong party

• if you want to find one guilty party, you only focus on all that happened within that party and try find hints

• you need to watch the whole situation in relation

• there is not one single guilty party, all parties played a part

• really complex

—> no single party to be blamed, everyone played their part