W: Historical Context + Outbreak Flashcards
nationalism, imperialism, militarism and alliances on Great Power rivalry, Western + Eastern Front
Going into the 20th century
- Britain was the largest empire, and had to abanon “splendid isolation”
- Germany was rapidly industrialising, with efficient factories, extensive railways. Also well-trained army, many reserves. However, small empire.
- Austria-Hungary: racial and religious differences.
- Russia: army and navy defeated by Japan, only began industrialising
The Schiefflen Plan
The Plan
Based on the beliefs, and intending to:
* France would mobilise its army, but would be weak and easy to defeat.
* Russia would be stronger, harder to defeat, but will take a long time to mobilise
* Take the French capital by advancing through Belgium and northern France.
* Using 90% of the army, and this fast plan of attack would prevent falling into a war of attrition.
The Schiefflen Plan - what actually happened
Instead:
* Russia mobilised its army in 10 days - they were at war with Russia first, and forces were diverted to the Eastern Front.
* Britian honoured the 1839 Treaty to defend Belgium.
* Germany army tired and slowed fighting through Belgium.
* Lost the Battle of Marne (September) to British forces
* Resulted in trenches being dug - the war entered a stalemate
28 June 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian Black Hand.
* To break of Austria-Hungary’s south-Slav provinces (nationalism)
Consequence of assassination
Austria-Hungary, Germany, key events
Austria-Hungary, after confirming Germany would honour its military alliance issued the July Ultimanium (23 July) to Serbia:
* Prevent the publication of propaganda against Austria-Hungary
* Arrest those on Serbian soil involved with the assassination plot.
This resulted in European nations dividing:
* Russia gave strong support to Serbia - alarming Germany but theur continued to encourage Austria, making a diplomatic situation impossible.
Declaration of war
- 28 July, Austria declared war on Serbia.
- Germany declared war on Russia 1 August, France 3 August (Triple Alliance)
- 4 August Germany invaded Belgium soil -> Britain drew into the conflict.
*
Western Front
Early battles such as the Marne and Aisne (September 1914) resulted in bloody stalemates, and the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, ensuring the development of trench warfare.
Resulted in the Race to the Sea
* Intention shifted from capture of Paris just to outflanking the enemy.
* Setting the stage for the rest of the war (attrition and trench warfare)
Eastern Front
- 1000 miles
- Less static, more bloody + chaotic (Gallipoli Campaign)
- German forces responded effectively to the new front
- 1915 - moving into Russia
- 1916-1917 suffering defeats, complicated by Bolshevik takeover.
Militarism as a cause of WW1
When a country builds up its military/military leaders begin making government decisions. Also a frame of mind in the government - a valid means of foreign policy.
* Intrinsically woven with nationalism
* Associated with masculinity
* Education of military exploits
* Conscription
Turn of the century: increase in military spending
Militarism- the arms race
Military insecurity + expansionism + nationalism
1870-1914: four times increase of defense spending of the Great Powers
Armies
Germany had the biggest/best army. Peacetime army was 800,000 but could draw on an army of 5.6 million.
Other countries built their land armies e.g. Russia had the fastes growth (and lowest starting point).
Britain was the only country without a large army.
Navies
Germany, Britain
German Naval Law (1900) - Germany began a huge programme building warships.
Two Power Standard (1889) - Britain built her navy to be larger than the next two powers combined.
Therefore, naval arms race - building dreadnoughts.
Alliances
Otto Bismark oversaw a variety of Alliances, such as the Dreikaiserbund (1873) to maintain peace in Europe and allow the newly formed German Empire to develop.
In contrast, Britain avoided involvement in foregin affairs unless it directly affected their interests (“splendid isolation”). This isolation was facilitated by their economic, technological, military capabilities. By the end of the 19th century, they were the leading power in:
* Industry
* Naval power (island that could defend itself)
* Empire (1/4 of Earth, with protecting forces)
Nationalism
Integrative: In France, Britain and Germany, nationalism pulled the country together and inspired people to fight for a common cause.
Disintegrative: the nationalism of several statees tore states tore Austria Hungary apart, desiring independence.
National successes (modernisation, Industrial Revolution, imperialism, colonies) led to great national pride, and confidence of the nation’s capabilities.
* Eduation: pride in nation and empire
* Military: respect and pride in the nation’s might.
E.g. German supreme confidence in the Schlieffen Plan
Even the term Great Power - sense of entitlement and cultural, milital, economic superiority.
Imperialism - economic motivation
Gurantee of overseas possessions meant that raw materials could be guranteed for industry.
e.g. oil, rubber, cotton, precious metals.
Technology was advancing - more goods sold for less.
* Colonies provided the markets necesseary for increasing output (forceful trade)
