Long-term and Short-term Causes of WWI

Long-term and Short-term Causes of WWI (MANIA) MANIA stands for the long-term causes of the war: 1. Militarism – The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war. European powers had been building up their military forces and stockpiling weapons for years before the war. 2. Alliances – Countries formed complex alliances for protection and balance of power, but these alliances also meant that any local conflict could escalate into a wider war. Major alliances included the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). 3. Nationalism – National pride and competition between countries, along with the desire of ethnic groups to assert their independence, was a major factor. Nationalism often fueled tensions in Europe, particularly in the Balkans. 4. Imperialism – European powers were competing for colonies and resources, especially in Africa and Asia. This competition added to tensions, particularly between Britain, France, and Germany. 5. Assassination – The short-term cause of WWI, specifically the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, triggered a chain reaction of events leading to war. The Relationship between Serbia, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary ● ● ● ● Serbia had a pan-Slavic ideology and supported Slavic independence, which made it a rival to Austria-Hungary, which controlled several Slavic territories. Russia saw itself as the protector of Slavic nations and had a strong alliance with Serbia, partly due to shared Slavic ethnicity. Germany was allied with Austria-Hungary (Triple Alliance) and supported its stance in dealing with Serbia. Austria-Hungary viewed Serbia as a threat to its empire, particularly in the context of growing nationalism among Slavs. Key events: ● ● The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914) by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, in Sarajevo set off the chain of events that led to war. Austria-Hungary's desire to crush Serbian nationalism led to its ultimatum, and Russia’s support for Serbia led to a wider conflict. France’s Reaction After Losing Land to Germany in 1870 In 1870, France lost the Franco-Prussian War, and as a result, it lost the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany. This created a deep resentment among the French, who sought revenge and the return of these territories. This rivalry and desire for revenge played a significant role in France’s foreign policy and its alliances in the years leading up to WWI. The Austrian-Hungarian Ultimatum ● ● The Ultimatum: After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia on July 23, 1914. The ultimatum demanded that Serbia suppress anti-Austrian activities and allow Austria-Hungary to take part in the investigation of the assassination. Serbia rejected some of the terms, especially those that infringed on its sovereignty. Germany's Blank Cheque: Germany promised unconditional support to Austria-Hungary (the "blank cheque") on July 5, 1914, assuring Austria-Hungary that it would support any actions taken against Serbia. This emboldened Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. The Assassination in Sarajevo and Its Direct Link to WWI The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist group the Black Hand, was the immediate cause that led to the outbreak of World War I. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination and, with Germany's support, declared war on Serbia. This led to a chain reaction as Russia mobilized to support Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia, and then France and Britain were drawn into the conflict. The Schlieffen Plan ● ● ● The Schlieffen Plan was a German military strategy developed by General Alfred von Schlieffen to avoid a two-front war. It involved a quick invasion of France through Belgium, followed by a pivot to fight Russia after France was defeated. The plan hoped to quickly knock out France before Russia could fully mobilize. Problem It Was Trying to Solve: The major issue was that Germany was surrounded by potential enemies on both the east (Russia) and west (France and Britain). The plan aimed to avoid fighting a prolonged war on two fronts. Geography and Army Tactics: The plan relied on the speed of the German army and the assumption that Russia would take longer to mobilize. Geography, specifically the flat terrain of Belgium and northern France, was crucial for a fast German advance. Bosnia, Gavrilo Princip, and the Black Hand ● ● Bosnia was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908, angering Serbia and its Slavic population. Gavrilo Princip was a member of the Black Hand, a secret Serbian nationalist group. He assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand to further the cause of Slavic independence and to challenge Austria-Hungary’s rule over Bosnia. The Mobilization of WWI Armies Mobilization of armies began after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the subsequent declarations of war. Russia mobilized in defense of Serbia, which led to Germany declaring war on Russia. Germany then declared war on France and invaded Belgium, drawing in Britain. The speed and scale of mobilization were unprecedented and led to the rapid escalation of the conflict. The Balkans as a Scene of Crises Before WWI The Balkans were a region of intense nationalist conflict and territorial disputes in the early 20th century. Ethnic groups sought independence from the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary. Key crises included: ● ● The Balkan Wars (1912-1913), where Serbia expanded its territory, increasing tensions with Austria-Hungary. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo was a direct consequence of this instability. Why WWI Was a Longer Conflict Than Expected The war lasted from 1914 to 1918, far longer than many expected. Key reasons include: ● ● ● ● Trench warfare on the Western Front, which made advances slow and costly. New weapons (such as machine guns, tanks, and poison gas) created a deadly stalemate. Total mobilization of nations led to long and exhausting campaigns. Strategic errors and poor communication also contributed to the extended conflict. Notable Conflicts Caused by Submarine Warfare Germany’s use of unrestricted submarine warfare led to several incidents, notably the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, a British passenger ship, which killed 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. This contributed to the U.S. joining the war in 1917. Submarine warfare was a key factor in turning public opinion against Germany, particularly in neutral countries like the United States. Woodrow Wilson’s Philosophy and the 14 Points ● ● Wilson's Philosophy: President Woodrow Wilson believed in a world based on democracy, self-determination, and international cooperation. He advocated for peace without victory and sought to prevent future wars through diplomacy. The 14 Points: Wilson's vision for a post-war world included: ○ Open diplomacy and free trade ○ Reduction of armaments ○ The establishment of the League of Nations to prevent future conflicts ○ Self-determination for nations Imperialism Imperialism is the policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force. European powers competed for control of colonies in Africa and Asia, creating rivalries that contributed to tensions leading to WWI. The Canadian Conscription Crisis The Canadian Conscription Crisis of 1917 occurred when the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Robert Borden, passed the Military Service Act, which introduced conscription (compulsory military service) to meet the demand for soldiers during WWI. This caused significant division, particularly in Quebec, where many opposed conscription due to linguistic and cultural differences, as well as resentment toward the war effort. The crisis led to widespread protests and political unrest in Canada.