01:510:102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 26: Plan Xvii, Russia-2, Social Darwinism
12 May 2018
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Chapter 26 - Notes (War and Revolution, 1914-1920)
European Paradigm 1914
• Society was progressing towards the state of perfection
• Society was essentially harmonious and stable
• War was a useful extension of diplomacy and limited in nature
1. Technology would prevent a long war
2. Social Darwinism
3. Franco-Prussian war
4. Popular military philosophy
Outbreak of the war:
• Militarism: intense increase in the production and planning for military operations
• Planning developed strict timetables for actions
• Served to restrict the flexibility of governments once the plans came into action
1. Germany: Schlieffen Plan – time table and strength of the right wing key to
success
2. France: Plan XVII, attack through Alsace and Lorraine to severe the German
right wing
3. Russia: Planned to mobilize before war to over come organizational difficulties –
Problem: Mobilization forced other plans to commence
• SPEED THE KEY TO ALL PLANS
•
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand and wife
• Gavrilo Princip acting outside the Serbian government
• 5 weeks prior to declaration of war:
1. Austria-Hungary held the Serbian govt. responsible, made unreasonable
demands on them as an ultimatum
2. Serbians attempted to meet the ultimatum, A.H. rejects attempt and cut off
diplomatic relations
3. Germany gave A.H. a “blank check” of support
4. Russia had a secret alliance with Serbia
5. A.H. declared war on Serbia
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6. Russia mobilized on Serbia’s behalf
7. Germany demanded that Russia stop mobilization
8. Russia refused
9. Germany declared war on Russia and France
10. Germany invaded Belgium
11. England declared war on Germany
12. Ottoman Empire joined Germany and A.H.
13. Italy joined Allies
Battle of the Frontiers: Germany conquest of Belgium and defeat of the French offensive
• Terrible treatment of Belgians embittered both sides
1stBattle of the Marne
• Stopped the German Offensive
Battle of Tannenbery and Battle of Masurian Lakes: Russians lost two entire armies in
the east
• Russian military poorly led, lack of supplies and training
Begin Trench Warfare
Russians suffered tremendously, but did fulfill their purpose (took pressure off Fr)
Failure of Offensive War:
Verdun
• 10 month German offensive resulting in close to a million total deaths
• Petain commanded brilliantly and became a French hero
The Somme
• Combined Br. / Fr. Offensive again 1 million deaths
• No significant movement
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