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- Unit 1: Progressive Era and WWI
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Unit 1, Section 2: World War I
The First World War, occurring from 1914-1918, was the deadliest in world history up to that point. Over ten million men were killed on the battlefront and another 20 million soldiers and civilians died of disease and starvation. The powers of Europe fought relentlessly in a war of attrition in which neither side could truly win outright. What caused this great conflict? What made the war so much deadlier than previous wars? What effect did this war have on the rest of the 20th century? All important questions, and they should be answered before examining America in World War One more specifically.
This lesson is simply meant as an overview of the basics of World War One: Its causes, nature, main events, and effects. This unit does not and cannot focus on the full war itself but instead concentrates on America's involvement and how the United States was affected by the war. For a full look at this terrible conflict go to firstworldwar.com.
How did this war happen? There were a series of elements, stemming from the post-Napoleonic period of the 1810s and the rise of the nation state, that contributed to the clash of wills that became the First World War. First, there was militarism, or the build-up of militaries and the willingness to use force to settle political problems. By the 1880s, all of the major powers of Europe were increasing their military expenditures in an arms race that bred distrust throughout. Second, the alliances each of these powers formed contributed to the distrust and hatred, pitted European countries against each other, and locked them into a military connection that led them to war. Third was imperialism, the increased competition for wealth and power that the various European countries engaged in, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. And finally, there was extreme nationalism, or national pride. Germany became a unified nation in 1871 following their victory in the Franco-Prussian War, thus entering the world stage as a significant power to be reckoned with. France, angered by its loss, used its nationalism to justify seeking eventual revenge against Germany, while German nationalism was used to justify its growth in military and economic power and intervention in affairs throughout the world.
The spark that ignited the tinderbox was the June 28, 1914 assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austro-Hungarian throne, by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. Austria demanded that Serbia bring to justice those involved in the assassination, and Serbia refused to cooperate, insisting there was little evidence to warrant an investigation. Austria then declared war on Serbia, setting in motion the domino effect of alliances bringing country after country into the war. Five weeks later, Europe was at war with itself, with England, France, Belgium, Russia, and Serbia (Allies) fighting against Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (Central Powers). Many believed the war would be over by Christmas. They were wrong. By 1916 the war was a stalemate, with both sides fighting for the trenches of the other side and killing millions in the process.
This lesson is simply meant as an overview of the basics of World War One: Its causes, nature, main events, and effects. This unit does not and cannot focus on the full war itself but instead concentrates on America's involvement and how the United States was affected by the war. For a full look at this terrible conflict go to firstworldwar.com.
How did this war happen? There were a series of elements, stemming from the post-Napoleonic period of the 1810s and the rise of the nation state, that contributed to the clash of wills that became the First World War. First, there was militarism, or the build-up of militaries and the willingness to use force to settle political problems. By the 1880s, all of the major powers of Europe were increasing their military expenditures in an arms race that bred distrust throughout. Second, the alliances each of these powers formed contributed to the distrust and hatred, pitted European countries against each other, and locked them into a military connection that led them to war. Third was imperialism, the increased competition for wealth and power that the various European countries engaged in, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. And finally, there was extreme nationalism, or national pride. Germany became a unified nation in 1871 following their victory in the Franco-Prussian War, thus entering the world stage as a significant power to be reckoned with. France, angered by its loss, used its nationalism to justify seeking eventual revenge against Germany, while German nationalism was used to justify its growth in military and economic power and intervention in affairs throughout the world.
The spark that ignited the tinderbox was the June 28, 1914 assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austro-Hungarian throne, by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. Austria demanded that Serbia bring to justice those involved in the assassination, and Serbia refused to cooperate, insisting there was little evidence to warrant an investigation. Austria then declared war on Serbia, setting in motion the domino effect of alliances bringing country after country into the war. Five weeks later, Europe was at war with itself, with England, France, Belgium, Russia, and Serbia (Allies) fighting against Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (Central Powers). Many believed the war would be over by Christmas. They were wrong. By 1916 the war was a stalemate, with both sides fighting for the trenches of the other side and killing millions in the process.