GREAT WAR AND THE SHAPING OF THE 20TH CENTURY, THE: EPISODE ONE: EXPLOSION (TV)

Summary

The first of eight episodes in this series examining World War I and its effect on the remainder of the twentieth century. The story is told through the use of archival film and photographs, commentary by writers and scholars, and the words of those directly involved in the war. Each episode is comprised of multiple segments that focus on particular aspects of the war. This episode examines the volatile political climate that existed in early twentieth century Europe that would explode into WWI. The program begins with the reading of a letter from British soldier and poet Wilfred Owen to his parents, written in the final days of the war. The segment "Young Willy" concerns the life of German prince Kaiser Wilhelm II. Born with a lame arm, Wilhelm is driven by an overcompensating lust for power and respect, which later results in irrational, ostentatious displays of military bravado. Obsessed with gaining prominence on the world stage, Wilhelm fires longtime German military leader Otto Bismarck, who had painstakingly maintained a system of alliances among the five European powers of Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. Wilhelm's childhood awe of Britain's naval power prompts the adult German leader to announce plans to create a superior German navy. Wilhelm's hubris alienates and alarms Great Britain and makes allies of France and Russia, who fear Germany's military power. This leaves Germany with the remaining ally of Austria-Hungary, the weakest and most volatile nation of the lot.

The segment "The Approaching Storm" examines the incendiary nature of European socio-political conditions that help set the stage for war. The technological explosion at the end of the nineteenth century exerts a great strain on European society, engendering widespread class resentment and, with advances in metallurgy, an unprecedented arms race among the great powers. The new possibility of social mobility manifests growing pains in the form of the women's suffrage protests that rock Great Britain, which include violent destruction of property, the imprisonment of protesters, and hunger strikes. France experiences the rise of socialist philosophy, led by Jean Jaures. Vladimir Lenin actually desires a war between the European nations, believing it can only further his revolutionary cause in Russia. The segment "Nicholas and Alexandra" ponders the internal problems faced by the Russian leader. Czar Nicholas II, a reluctant leader to begin with, is the recipient of dubious foreign policy advice when his family is invaded by the sinister, opportunistic Rasputin. "Visions of the Apocalypse" considers the increasingly warped nature of the German political outlook. Wilhelm continues his trend toward megalomania, believing in Germany's cultural superiority and entitlement to a colonial empire. Artist Ludwig Meidner, disturbed by the temper of his time, depicts the industrial metropolis of Berlin as an apocalyptic hell in a series of eerily prescient paintings. The segment "Assassins" portrays the cataclysmic results of the efforts of two lone gunmen, both zealous patriots.

Skirmishes between Austria-Hungary and Serbia threaten to start war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Serbia's protector. Tensions in the Balkans peak with the assassination of Austria-Hungary heir Archduke Ferdinand by a Serbian patriot. French socialist leader Jaures calls a series of conferences decrying war as a solution to political problems, but his peace-making efforts are ended by a French patriot who shoots the socialist through a restaurant window. Wilhelm announces his intention to intercede on ally Austria-Hungary's behalf, wishing to make a show of power. This has a domino effect on the five powers as alliances are consolidated. France stands with its ally Russia against Austria-Hungary and Germany. Great Britain also sides against the Kaiser, fearing Germany's ambition and military power. The segment "Celebration and Despair" documents the contradictory emotions felt as war begins. Many citizens are exhilarated by the prospect of the war, anticipating the forging of a new Europe. Others are terrified, remembering the loved ones lost in past conflicts. As the nations' militaries mobilize, the panicking leaders realize the catastrophe they have set in motion: war on a scale undreamed of, in the interest of no one, and with everything to lose. This program icludes commentary by the following individuals: author Robert K. Massie; Niall Ferguson of Oxford University; Sir Michael Howard of Oxford University; Jay M. Winter of Cambridge University; historian Diane Atkinson; and Sarah O'Brien-Twohig of the Tate Gallery. This program is closed-captioned.

Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1997.

Details

• NETWORK: KCET-TV (Los Angeles, CA) / PBS
• DATE: November 10, 1996 Sunday 9:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:56:47
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:48945
• GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
• SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; History; World War I
• SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1996
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Blaine Baggett … Executive Producer, Writer
• Carl Byker … Producer, Series Producer, Director, Writer
• David Mrazek … Co-Producer
• Jay Winter … Co-Producer
• Teresa Fitzgerald … Associate Producer
• Alexandria Levitt-Muzquiz … Associate Producer
• Michelle Morgan … Series Associate Producer
• Lili Francklyn … Researcher
• Alf Penn … Researcher
• Karen Wyatt … Researcher
• Robin Wilder … Researcher
• Jeffrey Verhey … Researcher
• Michael O'Toole … Researcher
• David Orenstein … Researcher
• Jay Winter … Writer
• Mason Daring … Music by
• Salome Jens … Narrator
• Sir Michael Howard … Guest
• Robert K. Massie … Guest
• Sarah O'Brien-Twohig … Guest
• Jay M. Winter … Guest
• Diane Atkinson … Guest
• Niall Ferguson … Guest
• Ralph Fiennes … Voice
• Jurgen Prochnow … Voice
• Rene Auberjonois … Voice
• Helena Bonham Carter … Voice
• Edward O. Goldman … Voice
• Leslie Caron … Voice
• Jeroen Krabbe … Voice
• Friederich Solms … Voice
• Malcolm McDowell … Voice
• Michael York … Voice
• Jean Jaures
• Vladimir Lenin
• Ludwig Meidner
• Nicholas II
• Wilfred Owen
• Rasputin
• Wilhelm, Kaiser, II