Wednesday 17 November 2010

Why did Germany and her allies lose WWI?

During WWI all the country who was taking part in fighting in the war lost a great number of soldiers and battles for their countries. Yet only a few countries knew how it felt to completely lose WWI. Germany and her allies were the side which lost WWI. There are a number of reasons why they lost. But there are critical effects that if they were dealt in a correct manner the result of the war could have been much different. Because Germany and her allies were politically unstable this had a great affect on their military and economy which overall made them lose WWI.

When the war started ciaos was around all of Europe. Armies were getting ready for the battles which were to come. In the begging Germany and her allies were very pumped up to go to war and fight. Nationalism was very high at the time. The battles had begun and the central powers were winning. But what was to come next none of the central powers expected. Things went completely downwards. Germany wanted to invade France, and went through neutral Belgium. By doing this it sparked a dispute between the British and Germans. When the Germans refused to leave neutral Belgium, Britain came into WWI against Germany. Because of Britain entering, the war became different; they started to use tactics which at the end would crush the central powers, till the point where they would lose WWI. Britain started by using propaganda “Poor Little Belgium”, unlike the Germans the British used this to their benefit to make their soldiers hate the Germans, by showing that they were to fight monsters made their army physiologically stronger then those of Germany. It came to the point where the Germans were so misinformed with their propaganda that they started going against the government. Germany did not think that they should prepare harder when going against Britain, they were being arrogant and thought they could easily have victory.

While fighting in the war Germany was politically unstable. There was fighting between two parties who would run the government. At the same time the Kaiser had left German and went to Holland, because of the “Turnip Winter 1917” which was the communist party becoming very strong. The major problems which lead from this effect were in the army. None of the army officials knew from where they would get their orders from, let alone their actual weapons. When this news was going around to the solders that their government and monarchy was collapsing most of the men were did not want to fight anymore. This could be considered the greatest mistake of Germany. No agreement was made to order the army to take certain actions which both sides agreed on. The allies however were smart and elected one man to be the commander and chief of all the armies and just be concerned, and stay focused with them. The Germany had trouble to rely on her allies because they themselves were not in a perfect situation as well, both Austrian-Hungarian and Ottoman empires were collapsing, and like Germany trying to solve their problems. Germany was in trouble and needed more allies to have a chance to at survive the war, but instead of making the finding a solution they made the problems even worse. Germany sends a letter to Mexico saying to make a war with the Unites States, Mexico declined, but the Unites States is angered by Germany. This gives them reason to enter the war.

The war needed a substantial amount of money. Yet the rate that Germany was going at the country was getting lower in dept everyday. Germanise mistake in this case was that they did not have a system like the British. D.O.R.A gave the British government wide-ranging powers which gave money to support their armies during the war. Germany did not have factories to built weapons for the army, as well as having no official tax system. This meant that the countries purely relied on national tax system where the people donated their money and wealth for the good of the country.

Can it be said that it was just because of Germany and her allies Militarily, Politically, Economically problems that they had lost WWI. Perhaps it was because that Germany basically was fighting the war alone. Austrian-Hungary and the Ottomans did not really have a great affect on the war. In w away it is true to think that Germanise armies were fighting ruefully 10 different armies at the same time. By just thinking about that you would not expect for Germany to win this war. Possibly from the beginning there was no victory for Germany to set their eyes on. However if the country was in its golden age it could have been victories but still it would be very difficult for this outcome to happen.

The whole of Europe was marked by WWI. From the countries that entered from the beginning of the war to the ones who just came in for the victory. In total this war gave Germany and her allies a lot of experience to take in. Germany nearly could have won the war, even if all the countries went to the side of the allies. All Germany had to do was to keep order in the country and not be arrogant in the sense that victory would be easy to achieve. Once the system went down in Germany it never had enough time to repair itself, an analogy would be if you have a wound and you are always poking it, it has no time to heal causing it infection and a scar; this is what happened in Germany during the war. Yet it is still surprising to see that the central powers lasted so long against the allies even when Britain and The Unites States were in the war.

Saturday 2 October 2010

Question: What was the leading cause of WWI?

World War I was one of the major wars the world has seen. It was a war which had an impact throughout Europe and the world, and will be remembered forever. The war involved many Europeans and other countries directly or in directly. There were many factors which led to the start of the war among them was imperialism, nationalism, alliances, militarism, and industrialization however in my opinion imperialism is the major factor which was the start and cause of World War I. It was because of imperialism that the other four factors nationalism, alliances, militarism, and industrialization formed in Europe and spread throughout the world. Unlike the other causes imperialism has a part in every. The definition of imperialism is “the policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations”.

Imperialism was introduced in Europe before the thought of a world war to break out, when industrial and scientific achievements began. It was not seen in all of the European countries at once though it did not take long for it to spread thru the continent. The countries that imperialism had its sudden influence on were the major empire in Europe at the time, Great Britain, Germany, France. Once started these countries rapidly advance in Europe, they became the strongest and best in everything. These ways were spread out all over Europe different countries were adopting the latest way to do things. Countries were competing against each other for different markets, which led to problems in Europe. Imperialism introduced industrialization countries to make themselves open markets, and to do trade not only in Europe but all over the world. Most of these countries economies were invested in foreign lands mainly in Africa at the time. This led to a lot of conflict in Africa over resources that the land had to offer, and who had conquered them first. Some of the key materials which helped developed countries were Rubber and Petroleum.

Once Europe’s economies were based in Africa tensions became serious problems. Since most countries were fighting over the same land war between countries was going to break out. Because of industrialization factories were creating advance weaponry and gun ships for their military, and this started Militarism. Different empires were fighting over everything when it came for their home land. The British and the German empires were fighting over who had the greatest navel military. When it came to land it again it was the British but this time competing with the French over who had more control in Africa. Many battles had taken place over these issues, and countries were supporting their armies the whole way with their factories. Militarism played a part towards world war one because it was about the military. These were the armies, and gun ships which would be fighting for their countries. But Militarism couldn’t have form alone without the help of industrialization the actual source of the equipment.

While this was happening in Africa, back in Europe events which had take place and had affect on the people. The Nationalistic idea was beyond doubt formed in Europe in these times. Citizens wanted to do anything for their country and monarchy. People would join the army, work in any of the factories, or do anything which would support the royals. Nationalism was seen in Europe when the when the heir to the Austrian-Hungarian Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Serbia. Once this news was heard the Austrian-Hungarians people were outraged and would do anything to get their revenge against the Serbians. At the same time of Nationalism we saw Alliance’s of Europe take actions. When Franz Ferdinand was assassinated it created a chain reaction throughout Europe. Nationalism was very strong for revenge, the alliance took place from both sides getting ready for war for example Austrian-Hungarian empire was backed up by the Germans, Serbia was backed up by the Russians and the alliance go on. Since war was breaking out Militarism got involved, and since the army was getting ready to fight the factories were getting ready to built, which altogether meant the repeating idea of Imperialism.

However imperialism could not have accomplished the results of WWI on it’s on. One can say that if you were not going to say it would be imperialism, militarism would be the next immense factor. If it would not be for militarism there would not be a single war carried out though Europe, all there would be are arguments amongst countries. Without the armies of Europe if would have been impossible to have a result like WWI. Militarism also should leaders the strong armies amongst Europe. The central reason what made a country powerful was the size and power of your homelands country.

There are subsequently so many factors which have an affect on the question on what was the leading cause of WWI. Yet I am confident that my option clearly states that Imperialism was the leading cause. There are enough supporting details to support my answer because everything which happened, and had to do with this war led back to the source being Imperialism. If it was not for this countries in Europe would not have achieved so much as they did in the last century. Even so the alternative causes which I have mentioned in the essay also played a crucial role in WWI. However the actual origins of these causes lead back to Imperialism which could be the considered the reasons why WWI occurred.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Chapter III

Chapter 3
Part I:

Kaiser Wilhlem II’s personality and ideas – The Kaisers personality/ ideas were unique because of the condition he had, his paralyzed left arm and a defect balancing in his ear. Because of this he had to show his own strength and power. From an early age he liked the military and when he became Kaiser he chose solders to advice him. He told people that he had divine power from God to rule.
- The way that Kaiser Wilhem II personality and ideas were I would understand that a large war would break out because this monarch is not really a man to have sitting on a throne. They described him as a mad man and unpredictable at anytime.

Economic growth – Germanise economical growth was huge at the time. The country was booming in all ways populations, and business.
- Since the country was so strong and was one of the richest countries in Europe at the time it brought a peaceful existence to the country. Everyone had their duty to do and the system worked.

The Mittlestand – These were the lower middle class in Germany in those days.
-The Mittlestand were not happy about how the direction their country was going in. They felt stranded between the industrial working class and turn to right-wing pressure groups hoping that they would bring back Germany old values.

Trade Unions – Was one of the pressure groups, they increased their members by 3.3 million
-Their ways were to work with government about practical matters such as wages, working hours, and conditions. This would bring the country stronger together.

Junkers – Are the people who are at the top of the social pyramid, and are in the elite group, they are the most privileged group.
-With this group I couldn’t say if they would start a war or bring peace.

Weltpolitik – Meaning “World Policy”, this was the name of the policy which was made by the Kaiser about foreign policy.
-Foreign policy would lead Germany to a large war because the ideas were to conquer the other lands and to have benefit the country and expand the empire.

The ideas of Admiral von Tirpitz – That Germany should take action to make strong policies which would enhance its statue as a world power.
-This would bring a large war to Germany because to be superior world power people in the way must be removed which will start problems and lead to war.

The Daily Telegraph Affair – It was a conversation which was between the Kaiser and a friend and then was written up and said to be an interview with the Kaiser. The Kaiser got mad at Britain, and tensions came.
-This would be hard tensions would bring a large war to Germany because both sided got made at each other.

The Zabern Affair – This was a crisis which had to do with the German Empires domestic policies.
-This would bring Germany closer to a larger war because this caused a lot of political conflict

The von Schleiffen Plan – Was a plan made for victory over a war which Germany would be fighting two sides the French and the Russian.
-This would lead to a large war in Europe since the country was already peppering a victory plan.

The First Moroccan Crisis –This was a international crisis where Germany wanted the independence of Morocco because they didn’t want France to have more land in their name.
-The crisis was bringing a large war into Europe the tensions between so many countries started to come out.

The Second Moroccan Crisis- A German gunboat went to Agadir to show the French army that the Germans were not going to sit around and let them have Morocco.
- This brought again tensions to start the large war in Europe because the two leaders of the countries were fighting for the same piece of land.

Part I Question:
“To what extent was Germany already at war with Europe by 1914”
By 1914 Germany and the rest of Europe had let out all of them steam. After the incident in Moroccan, the Germans and French were fighting over the land. But already by then Germany had already many conflicts between different countries of Europe. One of the main ones was the assignation of Crown Prince of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire in Serbia. All that had to happen was an incident which would start the war. The German Empire and its allies fought against the French and their allies during World War One. In those days it was easy to have people to fight for their country because nationalism was very high at the time.
One of the main reasons the countries had such fury with each other was because when it came to land, nearly all of Europe was competing for that territory. Even before all of this started Europe was watching Germany since Bismarck went into power and even before that. Leaders knew that this empire was growing faster and becoming stronger they had to take action so that they could insure survival. Most of European countries wanted the German Empire to fall. More or less each leader of a country wanted their home to be the best so they were competing amongst each other even if it meant to sacrifice the lives of your own people.

Chapter II

Chapter 2

Success of Bismarck: In his time Bismarck was incredibly successful, till the ends of the Second World Wars his ideas and legacies have been talked about and had still been practices across Europe. Otto von Bismarck had been generally regarded as Europe’s greatest statesmen by 1890. All of the aims he had planed in his life he had succeeded. One of Bismarck’s aims was for national unification. He also was a part of the unification of Germany.

Explanation: The reason why Otto von Bismarck was so successful was because his ideas and aims and legacy which he had planned years before actually starting them were possible. Nothing which he planned couldn’t be achieved, and once they were achieved he let his legacy grow.

Failures of Bismarck: There were only a few failures which Bismarck had seen in his life, but because the failures where a great deal it made the lives in Europe difficult till and arrangement was made. One of Bismarck’s failures was to bring stability to Europe but because at the same time the Ottoman Empire was trying to be unified and leaders of Europe did want this because they knew if the Ottoman Empire were to be powerful things would go wrong. So this made Bismarck plans very hard to achieve.

Explanation: It is difficult Bismarck to say that it was Bismarck’s fault because of these failures. Like everything we know that it does not take only one man to accomplish or bring down something. So because of the leaders of Europe then did not assist Bismarck’s ideas to spread, they cared for their countries benefit and brought Bismarck to failure.

Event or Problem of Bismarck: Some of the problems which Bismarck saw when he was in power was to make Whilem understand what he is trying to achieve. Also tensions between the Austrian- Hungarian state the people were fighting amongst each other because they were from different separatist and lived in the same country.

Reaction/ Solutions: The reactions and solutions that Bismarck did to these events of his were with the Austrian- Hungarian he new if he made the majority of the people German separatist then the tension will be gone. With Whilem the solution to Bismarck was for himself to resign to show Whilem nothing could be done if he did not get the space he needed to accomplish these goals for the country to be great.


Question:
The reason why Bismarck resigned was because he was frustrated because of Wilhelm's interference about the foreign and domestic policies that Bismarck established in Germany at the time. Their intentions were to make Germany great country and rule the world after Bismarck spread his ideas.

Chapter I

PART I:

Kaiser Wilhelm – He was the King of Prussia after his brother Fredrich Wilhelm IV died. Kaiser Wilhelm was important because he provided his country with a stronger military; he knew it would be crucial so that the country could defend them.

Zollverein – This was the name given for the union of Bavaria and Württemberg. Zollverein was important because without it would not have made a crucial point for German nationalism

Crimean War – It was a war which was between Russia, and France allied with Britain. This war was fighting over who would control certain lands in Europe.

Otto von Bismarck – He was a Prussian who had a lot of roles in his life, from being Deputy in the Prussian United Diet, to ambassadors in major countries of Europe at the time. He played a significant role trying to exclude Austria from German affairs.

The Seven Weeks War – Was a war between Austria & German allies against, Prussian & Italy & German allies. Its is important because the result of this made Prussian a stronger country and gave it more control in Europe after winning the war.

Schleswig and Holstein – This was one of the areas that Prussia captured because it had supported the Austrians in the war.

Franco Prussian War – This was a war between France & Prussia, Prussian won the war and was allied Northern Germany. This war was important because at the end of it brought the final unification of Germany.

The Ems Telegram – This was the final straw for the French, and then Napoleon declared war on Germany. The outcome of the war crushed France, and victory went to the German.

Alsace and Lorraine – This was a territory which belonged to France but then was captured by the Germans. Because of this a rivalry between the two countries stared till the French got revenge.



PART II:
1) What was Europe like in the early to mid-1800s?

Europe was a good in the mid of the 1800, but I would say because of all these was and the leaders having a lot of greed they made the live of the people in the Europe very hard always going to wars losing millions of lives just to try and make the empire bigger. But there was always one country in Europe that was doing good because always one country won the war.

2) Which factor seems to be most disruptive to European passivity, economics, politics or nationalism/ethnicity? Give evidence.

Politics would me the most disruptive because it was the politics which started the wars all across Europe, for example the Franco- Prussian War was politics, Ems Telegram was politics the leader of the French got mad started a war lost and made his people suffer, everything political in those days disrupted life in those days, even if it did not start a war the politics would create a problem which would start a civil war, or make the citizens unhappy and rebel.

3) What was successful and unsuccessful about the Zollverein? About other attempts at political structure in the mid-1800s?

The Zollverein became a focal point for Nationalism, and this spread throughout Europe. Why it was not successful I would say because the Zolleverin was not a very strong union


4) Who was to blame for, and what were the outcomes of the Franco-Prussian War?

France was to blame for the beginning of the Franco- Prussian, and the outcome of the war was Prussia won and took land from France and kept it till WWI after that it was given back to France.



5) In terms of the German Unification, rank the following factors in order of importance and provide a brief description of AND directly quoted evidence in support for your chosen order: Economy, Military build up, Bismarck’s leadership, Nationalism, and the provocation of other countries.

From least importance to greats
1) Provocation of other countries: did not help to bring the unification of Germany countries by themselves attacked
2) Economy: It was always good so the leaders did not have to worry about the countries economy
3) Nationalism: The citizens loved their country
4) Bismarck’s Leadership: Leadership brought empire very far without him country would have had
5) Military build up: The build up of the military help German unification because without this the country would not have won all those wars and let the empire grow.



6) After you finish the chapter, return to the sources on pages 16, 17, 24, and 25. Using direct evidence from these sources and your own knowledge, write a three paragraph essay which agrees or disagrees with the following statement. “the unification of Germany was inevitable regardless of Bismarck’s role.”
Be sure to provide a clear thesis statement and quotes from the sources. You may site the sources by number or letter (i.e. Source A) in parenthesis after the sentence.
When you are finished with this essay, type it up and post it to your blog (yes, the one you created and sent to me already!)

There were a number of motives which helped to unify Germany one of them was the leadership of Bismarck. But because of the time period that Germany was unified it was in the interest in many other countries and leaders of the Europe allowed unify this country, (Pg 16, Source 10) because with certain countries support there was no way to stop the unification. Bismarck would have foreseen this if it went to plan (Pg 17, Source 11). Because Bismarck new with this plan war would be the last result (Pg 17, Source 12). So if you look into detail I would not say that it was because of this man, brought the unification of Germany, however he did give his part to bring the country united.
Bismarck ideas made sense and helped, but the power came from the alliance of certain countries without this alliance Germany would have no chance to be united. Without doubt after the unification of Germany the alliance became stronger. Bismarck knew that after the country would be united a lot of wars were to come his way possibly even France (Pg 24, Source A). He didn’t want any war to break out for the land to be united (Pg 25, Source D).
Overall I can say that I agree that it was because of this man which made the unification of Germany. I recognize what I am saying is very politically detailed and not focusing the overall answers to this question, but there is not a clear answer to this question, but many possible ones. Without Bismarck the actual idea of unification would have still have been a dream. Even without unification Bismarck did a lot of things to benefit the country immensely.