Was WW1 Pointless? - War Goals Of Every Major Nation

Summary

This script explores the multifaceted war aims of the major powers during WWI, challenging the perception of the war as futile. It delves into the political, ideological, and economic motivations behind the conflict, highlighting how these aims evolved throughout the war. From Austria-Hungary's desire to weaken Serbia to Germany's pursuit of European dominance and the Ottoman Empire's struggle for independence, the narrative underscores the complexity and shifting nature of each nation's objectives. It also touches on the ideological battles, with countries fighting for perceived virtues against opposing forces. The script concludes by noting the irony that despite the war's outcome, new aims would emerge just two decades later, foreshadowing WWII.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The First World War was perceived by nations involved as a necessary conflict with clear objectives, contrary to the common view of it being futile.
• ⚔️ The Central Powers, primarily Austria-Hungary and Germany, sought to maintain their power and influence by weakening Serbia and preventing Slavic expansion.
• 🇩🇪 Germany's war aims were complex and evolved over the war, ranging from territorial annexations to economic dominance through a proposed 'Mitteleuropa'.
• 🔄 The Ottoman Empire aimed to counter Russian and Balkan Slavic threats and used the war to consolidate its state, leading to the eventual formation of the Turkish Republic.
• 🇷🇺 Russia's war goals included maintaining its prestige as a great power, expanding influence in the Balkans, and controlling strategic territories like Constantinople.
• 🗼 France's war aims were centered on security and reclaiming Alsace-Lorraine, with some politicians advocating for a more aggressive policy against Germany.
• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Britain's entry into the war was prompted by the defense of Belgium and the balance of power in Europe, with aims to reduce German military might and expand empire.
• 🇮🇹 Italy joined the war with ambitions of territorial expansion and the completion of national unification, which led to disputes with emerging Slavic states.
• 🇺🇸 The United States entered the war with the dual objectives of ensuring its own security and reshaping the international order based on democracy and self-determination.
• 🔄 War aims were dynamic, changing with the war's progression, internal politics, and the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Q & A

What were the primary war aims of Austria-Hungary at the beginning of World War I?

Austria-Hungary initially sought a local war to weaken Serbia, aiming to preserve its Great Power status and prevent Serbian expansion into Albania or Bosnia.

How did the war aims of Germany evolve during World War I?

Germany's war aims shifted over the course of the war. Initially, they considered annexing territories and creating a German-dominated customs union in Europe. As the war progressed, there was a division among leaders between those who favored a negotiated peace and those who held onto maximalist aims.

What was the September Program, and how did it reflect Germany's war aims?

The September Program was a policy document from fall 1914 that discussed possible annexations and the creation of a German-dominated customs union called Mitteleuropa, reflecting Germany's ambitions for economic and political dominance in Europe.

How did the Ottoman Empire's war aims differ from those of the Central Powers?

The Ottoman Empire's war aims were more limited and focused on defensive measures against Russia and the Balkan Slavs, as well as canceling economic 'capitulations' to restore full independence. They also aimed for territorial gains after initial battlefield successes.

What were the Russian Empire's strategic goals in the Balkans during World War I?

The Russian Empire aimed to increase its influence in the Balkans by supporting Serbia and considering the expansion of Serbia at Austria's expense. They also sought control of Constantinople and the Turkish Straits for access to the Mediterranean.

How did the February 1917 revolution in Russia impact its war aims?

The February 1917 revolution led to a shift in Russia's war aims. The Provisional Government suggested a negotiated peace without annexations and framed the war as a struggle to preserve the revolution against reactionary Central Powers monarchies.

What were France's main security concerns that shaped its war aims during World War I?

France's main security concerns were centered around containing a larger and more powerful Germany. They sought the return of Alsace-Lorraine, Belgian independence, and the destruction of Prussian militarism to ensure French security.

How did the British perspective on the war change after Germany's attack on Belgium in 1914?

The attack on neutral Belgium by Germany was seen as a threat to the international order by Britain, leading them to join the war to uphold that order and prevent Germany from becoming the dominant power in Europe.

What were Italy's territorial ambitions when it joined the Allies in 1915?

Italy aimed to gain Austro-Hungarian territory, including areas with Italian-speakers and defensible natural borders. They also sought new imperial conquests in Ottoman Anatolia and the Aegean, and possibly expansion of their African colonies.

What were the United States' primary objectives when it entered World War I in 1917?

The United States entered the war with objectives to protect its own security and to reshape the international order based on democracy, free trade, and self-determination, envisioning a role for the League of Nations in upholding this new system.