The World War of 1914-18 - The Great War, as contemporaries called it, was the first man-made catastrophe of the 20th century. It was a war without parallel and all previous wars were eclipsed by its scale of destruction. Even in retrospect the war which began as a struggle between Europe's great powers, which were grouped into two hostile alliances, is one of the bloodiest wars ever seen with an estimated 10 million men who gave their lives on the battle field and over 20 million more wounded . It was the first intervention of American forces in European affairs for which they lost more than 100,000 troops who were killed helping to guarantee an allied victory . The Great War involved at least 32 nations directly who declared war against one another over the course of four years of world turmoil.
Industrial expansion and wealth had a profound impact on economic life that lead to conflicts, jealousies and differences that were not easily reconcilable. Monarchies and democracies alike sought to cope with the changes and to protect their authority and major European nations sought to expand their wealth and territories looking for partners they could turn to in case of war. True to these military alliances, Europe's powers quickly drew up sides after the assassination of Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The allies -- chiefly Russia, France and Britain -- were pitted against the Central Powers -- primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Military Authorities and Government Politics
- The Common Man
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the widespread belief in late 1914 that the First World War would be over by Christmas. It explores the reasons behind this miscalculation, focusing on the perspectives of military leaders, government policies, and the common soldiers.
- Miscalculations of military leaders regarding war duration.
- The role of government propaganda in shaping public perception of the war.
- The naiveté of soldiers regarding the realities of prolonged warfare.
- The influence of pre-war treaties and alliances on the escalation of the conflict.
- The underestimation of the technological advancements in weaponry and their impact on the war's length.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Military Authorities and Government Politics: This chapter analyzes the military strategies and political considerations that contributed to the belief that the war would be short. The German Schlieffen Plan, aiming for a swift victory over France and Russia, is examined, highlighting its rigidity and ultimate failure. The French Plan XVII, an entirely offensive strategy based on an overestimation of French fighting spirit and an underestimation of German reserves, is also discussed. The chapter further explores the complex web of treaties and alliances that bound the major European powers, leading to a rapid escalation of the conflict. These treaties, while initially viewed as a source of strength, inadvertently contributed to the widespread belief that the war would be short-lived because many nations felt obligated, rather than truly motivated to fight. The chapter concludes by touching on the initial US neutrality and the reasons behind it, before America joined the war, as well as the surprising speed of German initial advances and subsequent failures which surprised many war planners and contributed to the perception of a quick conclusion.
The Common Man: This section explores the perspective of the average soldier and civilian who also believed in a swift war conclusion. The chapter discusses the role of government propaganda in promoting this belief, highlighting the ways in which governments encouraged enlistment by downplaying the potential for prolonged conflict. The chapter also details the widespread enthusiasm among young men volunteering for military service, fueled by nationalistic fervor and a naive belief in a quick victory. The chapter touches upon the surprising impact of propaganda posters encouraging women to send their men to fight and the significant failure to account for the horrors of trench warfare and technological advancements in military weaponry which contributed to casualties of an unprecedented scale. Ultimately, this section shows how the combination of government messaging and widespread public optimism created a pervasive belief in a short war, despite the underlying realities of the developing conflict.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
World War I, Great War, Schlieffen Plan, Plan XVII, Trench Warfare, Propaganda, Nationalism, Miscalculation, Attrition Warfare, Alliances, Treaties.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper examines the widespread belief in late 1914 that the First World War would be over by Christmas. It explores the reasons behind this miscalculation from the perspectives of military leaders, government policies, and ordinary soldiers.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the miscalculations of military leaders regarding war duration; the role of government propaganda in shaping public perception; the naiveté of soldiers about prolonged warfare; the influence of pre-war treaties and alliances; and the underestimation of technological advancements in weaponry and their impact on the war's length.
What chapters are included in the paper?
The paper includes two main chapters: "Military Authorities and Government Politics" and "The Common Man."
What does the chapter "Military Authorities and Government Politics" cover?
This chapter analyzes the military strategies and political considerations that contributed to the belief in a short war. It examines the German Schlieffen Plan and the French Plan XVII, highlighting their flaws. It also explores the role of treaties and alliances in escalating the conflict and the initial US neutrality.
What does the chapter "The Common Man" cover?
This chapter explores the perspective of the average soldier and civilian. It discusses the role of government propaganda in promoting the belief in a short war, the widespread enthusiasm for military service, and the failure to account for the horrors of trench warfare and technological advancements.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include World War I, Great War, Schlieffen Plan, Plan XVII, Trench Warfare, Propaganda, Nationalism, Miscalculation, Attrition Warfare, Alliances, and Treaties.
What is the overall objective of this preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview of the paper, including its title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
Who is the intended audience for this preview?
The intended audience is likely academics or researchers interested in World War I, its causes, and the perceptions surrounding its duration.
What kind of analysis does this paper offer?
The paper offers a structured and professional analysis of the themes surrounding the miscalculation of the war's duration, examining the perspectives of various stakeholders.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Christine Boado (Autor:in), 2008, “I’ll be home by christmas” – An analysis of the first year of the Great War, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/91194
