The Military History of the First World War: An Overview and Analysis - Professor David Stevenson

The speaker expresses the challenge of covering the vast military history of WWI in under an hour, acknowledging the complexity and tragedy of the conflict. They reference Carl von Clausewitz's definition of war and its destructive nature, highlighting the unprecedented scale of such events between 1914 and 1918. The speaker aims to provide a framework for understanding the war's causes, its progression, and the intensive research conducted over the past three decades. They emphasize the focus on the Western Front while also mentioning the war's global nature and its interconnected maritime aspects. The presentation is structured around three distinct phases of the war: the initial mobile warfare of 1914, the trench warfare stalemate from 1915 to 1917, and the semi-movement warfare leading to the Allied victory in 1918. The speaker also touches on the inconclusive nature of the war's end and the factors contributing to the Allied victory.

The paragraph delves into the German war plan, often misunderstood or misrepresented. The speaker clarifies that by 1914, the French were on their 17th plan and the Russians on their 19th, indicating a level of flexibility contrary to AP Taylor's claims. The German plan, involving a swift defeat of France by bypassing French fortresses through Belgium, is detailed. The plan's failure is attributed to a combination of factors: command mistakes, such as pulling back when not necessary and underestimating the French forces, as well as logistical challenges due to supply constraints and poor communication infrastructure. The speaker also discusses the impact of the 19th-century revolution in firepower, which favored the defender, and how this influenced the outcome of battles in both the Western and Eastern fronts.

The focus of this paragraph is on the significant advancements in military technology leading up to WWI, particularly the magazine rifle and machine gun, which greatly increased the power of infantry. The discussion then shifts to the artillery, emphasizing the revolutionary French 75-millimeter field gun and its impact on warfare. The paragraph explains that these technological advancements disproportionately favored the defenders, leading to a stalemate and the eventual rise of trench warfare. The speaker also mentions the global nature of the conflict and the strategic importance of the trench systems that extended across various fronts.

This paragraph expands on the global dimensions of the war, discussing the efforts of the Allies to impose a total blockade on the Central Powers and the strategic importance of the seas. It highlights the German High Seas Fleet's cautious approach and the pivotal Battle of Jutland, which solidified the German decision to rely on submarines. The paragraph also underscores the limitations of new technologies like tanks and gas warfare in breaking the trench stalemate, and the continued importance of heavy artillery as a potential solution to the deadlock.

The speaker discusses the evolution of military tactics and technology during the war, emphasizing the slow but significant changes that occurred. By 1917, the use of heavy artillery directed by aerial reconnaissance and the introduction of the creeping barrage are highlighted as effective systems. The paragraph also notes the defensive tactics adopted by the Germans and the ongoing struggle for both sides to achieve a breakthrough. The broader context of the war, including the impact of the war at sea and the German U-boat strategy, is also explored, with a focus on the critical mistake of unrestricted submarine warfare that ultimately drew the United States into the conflict.

The paragraph details the strategic shifts that occurred following the Russian Revolution, which led to a ceasefire and the subsequent redeployment of German forces from the Eastern to the Western Front. This redeployment gave the Germans a numerical advantage, which they used to initiate a series of offensives in 1918. The speaker also describes the German use of new artillery and infantry tactics, including surprise bombardments and the employment of storm troops. Despite these advancements, supply shortages and the increasing strength of the Allies, including the growing presence of American forces, ultimately tipped the balance against the Central Powers.

The final paragraph outlines the factors that led to the Allied victory in 1918. It emphasizes the Allies' superior organization, effective leadership, and the critical role of munitions production, particularly in Britain and France. The paragraph also discusses the importance of maritime supply and the defeat of German U-boats through the convoy system and more efficient use of remaining ships. The speaker highlights the military revolution by 1918, with modern combined operations involving tanks, aircraft, and infantry, and the significant impact of these changes on warfare. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the German army's deteriorating morale and the decision to seek an armistice, marking the end of the war.