HIS242H1 Lecture : World War 1 (Lect2) Background to war, July Crisis, Assasination of Franz Ferdinand, Schlieffen Plan
Document Summary
Europe had been urbanized and industrialized since 1890. It had also been free of war from 1870-1914 (excluding colonial wars, wars on fringe of europe) 1914- europe is at the peak of its power. Empires of europe produce colonial rivalries and reckless foreign policies. Seeds for war seen before; morocco 1905, boer war 1900, balkan war. War sparked by the july crisis- 5 weeks (june 28- july 31) Diplomatic crisis begins with the assassination of archduke franz. Ferdinand (heir to habsburg empire) and ends with russian mobilization and declarations of war. War proved to be a war of annihilation. By 1918 europe is drastically different, redraws europe. War provides the first taste of mass industrialized death (mgs, aerial war, gas war). Civilian deaths were not pronounced but not uncommon (armenian. Creates a new and terrifying aspect of war. War leaves legacies of hatred and creates a new style of warfare.
