First World War: Causes, Phases, and Global Impact

Bismarck's Alliance System

After the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck's goal was to isolate France to prevent them from recapturing Alsace and Lorraine. To achieve this, he created an intricate alliance system:

• League of the Three Emperors between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia (1873 and 1881). Russia would not help France, and Austria-Hungary would not support England.
• Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (1882). It was renewed until 1914. The goal was to isolate France and ensure Italy's neutrality in case of war between Austria and Russia.
• Mediterranean Agreements (1887) with Great Britain, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Spain to maintain the status quo in the Mediterranean.
• Reinsurance Treaty (1887) between Russia and Germany. In exchange for Russian neutrality if France attacked Germany, Bismarck promised support for Russia's Balkan policy.

Outbreak of War: Assassination in Sarajevo

Germany supported Austria-Hungary, and Russia supported Serbia:

• Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914.
• Germany declared war on France on August 3, 1914.
• Great Britain declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary after the invasion of Belgium.

Unit 5: Key Concepts and Colonial Legacy

Definition: Concession

An area assigned to a metropole for a period.

Legacy of Colonialism: Consequences

• Drew new borders, leading to tribal conflicts.
• Built infrastructures, changing the landscape and the economic and political structure of the continent.
• Death rates dropped.
• Loss of African/Asian identity, leading to acculturation.
• Exploitation of colonial resources and people.
• Changed their crops, replacing them with ones that benefited the metropole.
• No respect for existing ways of life and social structures.

Causes of World War I in Europe

A) Colonial Conflicts and Imperial Rivalries

Bismarck attempted to avoid conflicts at the Berlin Conference (1885), but it proved impossible (e.g., Fashoda Incident).

Moroccan Crises

France wanted to establish a protectorate in Morocco, but Germany, ruled by Wilhelm II, decided to support Morocco in maintaining its independence. The conflict was resolved at the Algeciras Conference (1906), which established that France and Spain would control the ports, while Morocco maintained its independence. Years later, Germany took advantage of an uprising in Fez to demand compensation in Morocco. Ultimately, Germany obtained territory in Cameroon, and a Franco-Spanish protectorate was established in Morocco in 1912.

B) Rivalry Between Powers and Nationalism

Economic rivalry existed between England and Germany. Alsace-Lorraine: These territories belonged to France until the Treaty of Frankfurt (1871), when Germany annexed them during German unification. France consistently sought to reclaim both territories.

C) Balkan Wars and Regional Tensions

The Balkans were ruled by the Ottoman Empire, which was in a state of collapse. At this time, Austria-Hungary aspired to gain territories, while Serbia sought the formation of a Greater Serbia, and Russia aimed for access to the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. In 1908, Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia-Herzegovina, causing the First Balkan Crisis. Serbia and Montenegro protested, but Russia could not intervene as it was exhausted after the Russo-Japanese War. The Second Balkan Crisis (1912-1913) took place in Serbia, with Russian support, significantly increasing Serbia's power in the region.

D) Military Alliances and the Arms Race

All this system of alliances formed by Bismarck and the different crises led to the formation of two blocs: the Triple Alliance (1882), formed by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. However, the relationship between Germany, Russia, and England deteriorated due to colonial disputes, leading to the formation of the Triple Entente (1907), comprising France, Russia, and England.

Phases of World War I

Phase 1: War of Movement

Each bloc had its military strategy: Germany had the Schlieffen Plan, and France had Plan XVII. This phase ended in a draw. Germany was defeated at the Battle of the Marne (September 1914), Russia at Tannenberg (August 1914), and Serbia halted Austria-Hungary's advance, capturing Belgrade.

Phase 2: Trench Warfare

After the Battle of the Marne, the Western Front became immobile, leading to the construction of extensive trench systems. Germany and France attempted to break the front: the Battle of Verdun (February-June 1916), organized by Germany, failed; the Battle of the Somme (July-November 1916), organized by France, also failed. France and England similarly failed in the battles of Dardanelles and Gallipoli (February and April 1915). Finally, the British fleet defeated the German fleet in the Battle of Jutland (1916). During this period, both blocs sought new allies. Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) supported Germany, while Japan, Italy, and Romania supported the Entente (France, Russia, and England).

Phase 3: The Final Year (1917-1918)

1917 was a key year for several reasons: The United States joined the war in 1917, partly due to incidents like the sinking of the Lusitania. Russia, under Lenin's rule, signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918, withdrawing from the war. Italy was defeated by Germany at the Battle of Caporetto (October 1918). By 1918, Germany found itself increasingly isolated. Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire signed armistices. Finally, Wilhelm II abdicated, and Germany signed the Armistice of Compiègne (Rethondes) on November 11, 1918.

Economy and Society During World War I

The involved countries established a war economy. This meant that the industrial sector concentrated on military equipment and supplies production. Agricultural and consumer goods production decreased, leading to increased prices. Governments intervened to control the distribution of basic goods, and women filled positions men had left vacant.

Consequences of World War I

• Approximately 10 million deaths and 20 million injured, leading to advancements in facial reconstruction.
• Mass exodus of millions of people.
• Women were recruited to work in factories, contributing to the rise of the suffragette movement.