Transcript 11. Legacies of the Great War

Lesson 11
Legacies of the Great war
History, Geopolitics and International Affairs
Headline
Associated Press, January 25, 2015
The Baltic States
NATO Members
NATO Membership By Year
Why Did Europe Go to War in 1914?
What was the power environment in Europe in 1914?
Balance of Power
International situation where no one state is
strong enough to dominate all others.
Balance of Power 1914
Europe 1914
Phases of World War I
1914 - Maneuver and Frustration
1915 - Search for New Solutions
1916 - Attrition
1917 - Desperation and Anticipation
1918 - Dénouement
Causes of WW I
Nationalism
Militarism
Interlocking Alliances
11
Causes of WW I
Nationalism
• Strong sense of bond among people
• Common language, culture, identity
• France, Germany, Balkans
Power Politics At Work
12
Causes of WW I
German Nationalism
1866-1871
German States – 1740-1866
13
Causes of WW I
German Nationalism
Germany came “late to the European
table”

Sought her legitimate “place in the sun”
14
Causes of WW I
Nationalism
Militarism
• Belief that a strong military is critical to the
security and prosperity of a nation
• Military considerations paramount
• Dominate government, particularly diplomacy
• Fed by success of Prussia/Germany
15
Causes of WW I
Nationalism
Militarism
Interlocking Alliances
16
Alliances
1839: Treaty of London (Britain guaranteed Belgian neutrality)
1879: Dual Alliance (Germany & Austria-Hungary)
1882: Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy)
• secret pact
1894: Dual Entente (France, Russia)
1904: Entente Cordiale (France, Britain)
1907: Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia)
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Alliances of 1914
Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
• Italy did not go to war in 1914
• Germany - Austria-Hungary  Central Powers
Triple Entente
France, Britain, Russia
• Became core of the Allied Powers
18
Major Power Strategic Goals
Why did each of the powers go to war?
19
Major Power Strategic Goals
France
Revanche (revenge)
The humiliation of the Franco-Prussian War
“Think of it always, speak of it never.”
20
Major Power Strategic Goals
France
Revanche (revenge)
Natural Frontiers
Germany
“Place in the sun”
Austro-Hungary Expand into Balkans
Russia
Re-establish itself after 1905 defeat
Expand into Balkans
Great Britain
Maintain European balance of power
21
The World At War
22
Timetable to War
May 7, 1915
Lusitania sunk
Mar 15, 1916
Army Reorganization Act
Dec 1916
Wilson begins peace initiative
Jan 22, 1917
Wilson calls for peace without victory
Feb 1, 1917
Germany resumes unrestricted sub warfare
Feb 3, 1917
US breaks relations with German
Feb 24, 1917
Zimmerman Telegram revealed
Apr 2, 1917
Wilson asks for war declaration
Declaration of War
Declaration of War
April 2, 1917
President Wilson asked
Congress for declaration of war
April 4, 1917
Senate approved 82 – 6
April 6, 1917
House approved 373 - 50
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
• US tradition of defending Freedom of the Seas
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
• Attempt at strategic diversion by Germany
Zimmerman Telegram
Sent by German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmerman
• To Embassy in Washington, January 16, 1917
Ambassador forwarded to Embassy in Mexico
British intercepted message, passed to US
Publication of message enflamed US!
Zimmerman Telegram
Berlin, January 19, 1917
On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this,
it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.
If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with
Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general
financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in
New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement....
You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence
as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and
suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan
suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between
Germany and Japan.
Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless
submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.
Zimmerman
(Secretary of State)
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
• Attempt at strategic diversion by Germany
• Posed a direct threat to the U.S.
• Challenged Monroe Doctrine
• Revelation focused Americans on war issue
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for
Democracy
• Democracy vs. Autocracy
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for Democracy
American “Non-Neutrality”
• Trade with belligerents, mostly Britain
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for Democracy
American “Non-Neutrality”
American Frustration
• Lack of response to peace feelers
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New submarines
Mexico. The United
States were
committed
to the
Allied
side.
German
forced
thealready
United
States
into
the
war. But it would be too simple to say that America fought
solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for
the sake of New Mexico. The United States were already
committed to the Allied side.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At
first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were
instructed
to give
credit to theGovernment
belligerents. Soonhad
businessmen
At first,not
the
American
tried tocomplained
remainthat
the chances of good profits were being lost.
strictly neutral. Banks were instructed not to give credit to
the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that the
chances of good profits were being lost.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At
first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were
instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that
the chances of good profits
were
being
lost.extended to the Allies. Copper, cotton,
Large
funds
were
wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British and French
Large
funds
were
extended to the Allies. Copper, cotton,
orders. The
economy
boomed.
wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked
overtime on British and French orders. The economy
boomed.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At
first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were
instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that
the chances of good profits
were
being
lost.extended to the Allies. Copper, cotton,
Large
funds
were
wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British and French
orders. The economy boomed.
If the German submarines stopped this trade, there would be
depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the American loans would be lost also.
If the German submarines stopped this trade, there would
be depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the
American loans would be lost also.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At
first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were
instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that
the chances of good profits
were
being
lost.extended to the Allies. Copper, cotton,
Large
funds
were
wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British and French
orders. The economy boomed.
If the German submarines stopped this trade, there would be
depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the American loans would be lost also.
In the end, the United States went to war so that
America could remain prosperous and rich.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for Democracy
American “Non-Neutrality”
American Frustration
Protect US Economic Interests
Grand Strategy 101
Why did Great Britain go to war in 1914?
Maintain European balance of power
1917:
Britain, France on the ropes
Russia in revolution, almost out of the war
Germany poised to knock Britain out of the war w/ subs
US chose to pursue
maintain balance
WhatBritish
shouldobjective:
the US do?
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Protect US Economic Interests
Make the World Safe for Democracy
Maintain European Balance of Power
American “Non-Neutrality”
American Frustration
Protect US Economic Interests
Maintain European Balance of Power
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Lesson 12
Legacies of the Great war
History, Geopolitics and International Affairs
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