A World War Begins (p. 668-670)

WWI, was also called The Great War.

Allied Powers vs. Central PowersGreat Britain GermanyFrance Austria-HungaryRussia Ottoman Empire(Turkey)Japan BulgariaItaly

Germany’s 2 part plan• First they would attack France.

Next…after defeating France

• Germany would attack Russia.

The French & British fought the Germans outside of Paris on the Marne River.

The Battle of Marne (the first battle) lasted 7 days and was won by the Allied Powers on September 12, 1914. Paris was saved.

For next 3 years the soldiers fought in the trenches.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWtrenchsystem.htm - trench stories

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWtrench.htm - great link!

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Xmas%20+%20football.htmChristmas in the trenches!

The German offensive – The Battle of Verdun (northeast France) was one of the longest and bloodiest battles. More that 750,000 died.

British & French offensive – The Battle of Somme (northern France) was not very effective. The Allies only gained about 7 miles.

New Weapons

*Improved cannons & artillery fired larger shells.

*Better rifles allowed for great accuracy. (machine guns were used during WWI too)

*Poison gas could kill or injure anyone who breathed it. .

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/poison_gas_and_world_war_one.htmLink to 1st use of poisonous gas.

*Armored tanks could cross battle lines

http://www.worldwar1.com/arm001a.htm

*The Airplane was the most dramatic new weapon. Pilots participated in dog fights.

Manfred von Richthofen-German

The Red Baron

Top Ace of WWI, 80 victories

Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker

C.O. 94th Pursuit Squadron

Top American Ace of WWI, 26 victories

*The Germans used the zepplin, or blimp to bomb the Allies.

Great Britain blocked ports and the Germans couldn’t get supplies.

But the Germans brought in their U-boats, submarines to attack the British ships. This will eventually affect the US and bring us into the war.