World War I, Explained [AP Euro Review—Unit 8 Topic 2]

Summary

World War I, ignited by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, was shaped by long-term causes such as militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. These tensions culminated in a catastrophic conflict that saw new technologies like machine guns, barbed wire, and chemical weapons change the nature of warfare. The war expanded beyond Europe, with colonies involved, and led to global changes, including the rise of the U.S. as a superpower. The Treaty of Versailles reshaped Europe, dissolving empires and punishing Germany, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Militarism was a key long-term cause of World War I, as European nations massively increased military spending after the Industrial Revolution, creating an arms race.
• 😀 The Alliance System led to escalating tensions, with the **Triple Alliance** (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and **Triple Entente** (Britain, Russia, France) each preparing for war with the other side.
• 😀 Imperialism exacerbated rivalries, as European powers competed for colonies, which led to confrontations such as the **Moroccan Crisis**.
• 😀 Nationalism fueled conflict, as many European nations, particularly Germany and France, believed military action was justified to defend their honor, and nationalism in the Balkans increased tensions.
• 😀 The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914 was the immediate trigger, escalating a local conflict into a world war due to the complex network of alliances.
• 😀 Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia triggered a chain reaction of declarations of war, with Russia, Germany, France, and Britain quickly becoming involved.
• 😀 The war quickly became a **Total War**, with all resources from both the home front and battlefield directed toward the conflict, leading to massive civilian and military mobilization.
• 😀 Trench warfare became the dominant form of combat, where soldiers faced horrific conditions, including machine guns and barbed wire, leading to devastating casualties.
• 😀 New technologies such as chemical weapons (like chlorine gas), airplanes, and submarines transformed the battlefield and made the war more deadly.
• 😀 The war became global, with countries like **Japan** entering the conflict and colonial troops from Africa and India fighting for European powers, while the **United States** joined the war in 1917, tipping the scales in favor of the Allies.
• 😀 The war's conclusion in 1918 led to the **Treaty of Versailles**, which dissolved the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires, punished Germany, and set the stage for future global conflicts, notably World War II.

Q & A

What were the long-term causes of World War One?

The long-term causes of World War One were militarism, the growth of antagonistic alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. Militarism involved nations building up their military capacity, alliances like the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente led to tensions, imperial competition over territories caused conflicts, and nationalism fueled pride and territorial disputes.

What role did militarism play in the lead-up to World War One?

Militarism led to increased military spending and the desire for nations to use their powerful armies to defend their national interests. The massive investments in military resources made war seem more inevitable and desirable, especially when diplomacy became less attractive due to the power of modern military technology.

How did the system of alliances contribute to the escalation of the war?

The system of alliances divided Europe into two major blocs: the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (Britain, Russia, France). When a conflict broke out between two nations, these alliances triggered wider involvement, turning a localized issue into a global conflict.

What was the immediate cause of World War One?

The immediate cause of World War One was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914. While the assassination was carried out by a Bosnian Serb nationalist, Austria-Hungary used it as a pretext to declare war on Serbia, setting off a chain reaction among the alliance systems.

How did nationalism contribute to the outbreak of World War One?

Nationalism heightened tensions as nations sought to assert their dominance and protect their national honor. The desire for national pride and territorial expansion often led to aggressive policies, as seen in Germany’s annexation of Alsace and Lorraine from France after the Franco-Prussian War, and France’s desire to reclaim those territories.

How did new military technologies affect the nature of warfare in World War One?

New technologies like machine guns, barbed wire, chemical weapons (such as chlorine gas), airplanes, and submarines radically transformed warfare. Trench warfare became the primary method of fighting, with machine guns and barbed wire making direct attacks deadly. Chemical weapons and submarines introduced new forms of combat and increased casualties.

What was trench warfare, and why was it so devastating?

Trench warfare involved soldiers fighting from fortified trenches, with land between them covered in barbed wire. The combination of trenches, machine guns, and barbed wire made it nearly impossible to advance without heavy casualties. Soldiers charging out of the trenches were often mowed down by machine gun fire.

What were the effects of World War One on the home front?

World War One was a 'total war,' meaning that all resources, both military and civilian, were mobilized for the war effort. Civilians endured rationing, factory conversions to military production, and widespread sacrifices. This led to growing discontent, which manifested in protests and insurrections, such as the Russian Revolution and the Irish Easter Rebellion of 1916.

How did the war spread beyond Europe?

World War One expanded beyond Europe due to imperialist efforts and global alliances. Colonial powers called up troops from their colonies to fight. Additionally, the war involved other theaters of conflict, such as the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire, and Japan’s involvement, as it declared war on Germany and seized its colonies in China and the South Pacific.

What was the significance of the United States entering the war in 1917?

The United States entered World War One in 1917, primarily due to Germany's aggressive submarine warfare and other factors. While initially sending few troops into combat, their eventual involvement on the side of the Triple Entente played a crucial role in turning the tide of the war in favor of the Allies, contributing significantly to their victory.

How did the Treaty of Versailles alter the global balance of power?

The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War One, resulted in the disbanding of old European empires, such as Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Germany was severely punished and lost much of its territory, while the United States emerged as a global power. The treaty’s harsh terms, especially against Germany, set the stage for political instability and contributed to the outbreak of World War II.