Start of WWI: Readings
Readings
Document 1: Prince Ernhard von Bulow, German Chancellor, speech to the Reichstag, December 11, 1899
In our nineteenth century, England has increased its colonial empire – the largest the world has seen since the days of the Romans. The French have put down roots in North Africa and East Africa. Russia has begun its mighty course of victory over Asia. We don’t want to step on the toes of any foreign power, but at the same time we don’t want our feet trampled by any foreign power.
We realize that without power, without a strong army and a strong navy, there can be no welfare for us. The means of fighting the battle for existence in this world without strong armaments on land and water, for a nation soon to count sixty million, living in the center of Europe and at the same time stretching out its economic feelers in all directions, have not yet been found. In the coming century the German nation will be either the hammer or the anvil.
1. What are England, France and Russia doing? Why is von Bulow worried about them?
2. What does von Bulow mean when he says “we don’t want to step on the toes of any foreign power”? Do you believe him? Why or why not?
3. What is an anvil? What does von Bulow mean when he says Germany will be “the hammer or the anvil”?
4. What does von Bulow believe Germany needs to do for it to be a powerful country?
5. According to the document, what caused World War I?
Document 2: Newspaper run by Coloner Dragulin Dimtrevic, head of Serbian military intelligence and founder of the secret society, “The Black Hand”, 1912.
The war between Serbia and Austria-Hungary is inevitable. If Serbia wants to live in honor, she can only do this by war. This war is determined by our obligation[1] to our traditions and the world of culture. This war derives[2] from the duty of our race which will not permit itself to be assimilated[3]. This war must bring about the eternal freedom of Serbia, of the South Slavs, of the Balkan peoples[4]. Our whole race must stand together to halt the onslaught of these aliens from the north.
1. What do you already know about the conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary?
2. Why do you think the Serbians “will not permit itself to be assimilated”?
3. Why did Serbia decide to fight against Austria-Hungary?
4. According to this document, what caused World War I?
Document 3: John T. McCutcheon, cartoonist, Chicago Tribune, August 5, 1914
1. Describe what you see in this cartoon.
2. What is the “Crime of the Ages” that the title refers to?
3. How can the cartoon be used to describe the chain of events that led to war?
4. According to the cartoon, what caused World War I?
Document 4
Note: Armaments = weapons Pounds = British money.
1. What does the above graph show? (2+ sentences)
2. According to the graph above, what caused World War I? (2+ sentences)
[1] Obligation: responsibility; duty
[2] Derives: comes from
[3] Assimilate: to become part of a bigger culture, country or society
[4] Slavs/Balkans: historical name of the people who live in and around Serbia