The Great WarThe Great War(World War I)(World War I)

1914-19191914-1919

World HistoryWorld History

Pre-WWI EuropePre-WWI Europe

Emperor Franz Joseph- Emperor Franz Joseph- Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary

George V- Great Britain

Kaiser William II- Kaiser William II- GermanyGermany

Nicholas II- Russia (left) George V- Britain (right)

Background TensionsBackground TensionsCauses (MANIA)Causes (MANIA)

1. Militarism—build up of military 1. Militarism—build up of military

(Great Britain v. Germany) (Great Britain v. Germany) Military power seen as symbol of Military power seen as symbol of

national prestigenational prestige Glorification of war by all powersGlorification of war by all powers Arms race among great powersArms race among great powers Influential military leadersInfluential military leaders Belief in Social DarwinismBelief in Social Darwinism

2. Alliances 2. Alliances The network of alliances was delicate The network of alliances was delicate

and any fighting over territory could and any fighting over territory could destroy the balance. destroy the balance.

Agreements among nations to aid Agreements among nations to aid each other if attackedeach other if attacked

Russian agreements with smaller Russian agreements with smaller Slavic nationsSlavic nations

Emergence of AlliesEmergence of Allies Emergence of Central PowersEmergence of Central Powers

Neutral Nations

Austria-Hungary Germany BulgariaRussia

Central Powers:

The Allies:

Russia (USA) France England

World War I

AlliancesDreikaiserbund

Dual Alliance

Triple Entente

Franco-Russian Military Alliance

Entente Cordiale

England and Russia

Understanding

England

France

Italy

Triple Alliance

France

Russia

England France

Germany Russia

Central Powers

Germany

Austria-Hungary

France

Russia

RussiaEngland

Austria

Austria

Allied Powers

3. Nationalism3. Nationalism

French revenge against Germany for French revenge against Germany for humiliation during Franco-Prussian humiliation during Franco-Prussian WarWar

French desire for return of Alsace French desire for return of Alsace and Lorraineand Lorraine

German pride in military power and German pride in military power and industrial growthindustrial growth

Nationalism cont. Nationalism cont. Pan-Slavism (desire for a united Pan-Slavism (desire for a united

Slavic state) in Eastern EuropeSlavic state) in Eastern Europe Serbian desire to create south Slavic Serbian desire to create south Slavic

statestate

Balkan Balkan Boundaries Boundaries in 1914in 1914

4. Imperialism 4. Imperialism

ImperialismImperialism• British concern over German growth and British concern over German growth and

competition for coloniescompetition for colonies• Economic rivalries among Britain, Economic rivalries among Britain,

Germany, and France Germany, and France

5. Assassination of Franz Ferdinand 5. Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

(The Spark to the Powder Keg of (The Spark to the Powder Keg of Europe) Europe)

The Powder Keg of EuropeThe Powder Keg of Europe

The Balkan PeninsulaThe Balkan Peninsula1. Territories are winning their 1. Territories are winning their independence from the Ottoman Empire—independence from the Ottoman Empire—Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia. Romania, and Serbia.

2. Serbia wants to expand their territory to 2. Serbia wants to expand their territory to all lands with Serbian people—a threat to all lands with Serbian people—a threat to Austria-Hungary, who does not want to Austria-Hungary, who does not want to give up this territory. give up this territory.

The Powder Keg of Europe The Powder Keg of Europe

3. Russia looms over these new formed nations with 3. Russia looms over these new formed nations with interest in gaining a port on the Mediterranean interest in gaining a port on the Mediterranean Sea. Sea.

4. Crisis after crisis continued in the Balkans—many 4. Crisis after crisis continued in the Balkans—many European countries felt anticipation for the European countries felt anticipation for the coming war. Countries maintained large standing coming war. Countries maintained large standing armies, felt confidence in their superior weapons, armies, felt confidence in their superior weapons, and feared the growing strength of other powers.and feared the growing strength of other powers.

The Spark to the Great War The Spark to the Great War Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his wife Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his wife

Sophia, the next in line to the throne Sophia, the next in line to the throne of Austria-Hungary, are assassinated of Austria-Hungary, are assassinated by a member of a Serbian Nationalist by a member of a Serbian Nationalist movement called the Black Hand in movement called the Black Hand in Sarajevo.Sarajevo.

June 28, 1914June 28, 1914

Germany agreed to support Austria-Germany agreed to support Austria-Hungary with a “blank check.” Hungary with a “blank check.”

Franz Ferdinand, Sophia and children

Austria-Hungary v. SerbiaAustria-Hungary v. Serbia

2. Austria-Hungary issued an 2. Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum with very harsh terms for ultimatum with very harsh terms for Serbia. Serbia.

3. Austria-Hungary was ready for war 3. Austria-Hungary was ready for war and Austria declared war on Serbia and Austria declared war on Serbia July 28, 1914. July 28, 1914.

Germany v. Russia Germany v. Russia

4. Alliances pulled Russia into the war 4. Alliances pulled Russia into the war in support of Serbia and Germany to in support of Serbia and Germany to support Austria-Hungary. support Austria-Hungary.

5. Russian precautions are seen as an 5. Russian precautions are seen as an act of war—Germany declares war on act of war—Germany declares war on Russia. Russia’s alliances pull France Russia. Russia’s alliances pull France and Great Britain into the war. and Great Britain into the war.

Two sides of a warTwo sides of a war

Central Powers—Germany, Ottoman Central Powers—Germany, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, Austria-Hungary. Empire, Bulgaria, Austria-Hungary.

Allied Powers—Great Britain, France, Allied Powers—Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and Belgium Russia, Italy, and Belgium

Schlieffen PlanSchlieffen Plan In 1905, German General Alfred von In 1905, German General Alfred von

Schlieffen drew up a war strategy to Schlieffen drew up a war strategy to take over Europetake over Europe• Plan was to capture France in 6 Plan was to capture France in 6

weeks (Western Front), after that, go weeks (Western Front), after that, go after a weakened Russiaafter a weakened Russia

• This was the plan Germany followed This was the plan Germany followed when war broke out in 1914.when war broke out in 1914.

• Germans underestimated the efforts Germans underestimated the efforts of the Allies: were forced to fight a of the Allies: were forced to fight a 2-front war2-front war

New weapons for land, sea & airNew weapons for land, sea & air

1. machine gun, land mines 1. machine gun, land mines

2. Mustard gas, poison gas 2. Mustard gas, poison gas

3. gas masks3. gas masks

4. tanks (1917) 4. tanks (1917)

5. airplanes—scouting and photographs, 5. airplanes—scouting and photographs, then ‘dog fights,’ bombs and machine gunsthen ‘dog fights,’ bombs and machine guns

6. blimps—Germans used to bomb London6. blimps—Germans used to bomb London

7. grenades, flame throwers 7. grenades, flame throwers

8. submarines (U-boats) 8. submarines (U-boats)

War on the Western FrontWar on the Western Front

The Western Front The Western Front

1.1. The Western Front was formed in The Western Front was formed in northern France as a joint French-northern France as a joint French-British forced battled Germany. British forced battled Germany.

The French underestimated the German fighting machine. The French underestimated the German fighting machine. As German troops neared Paris—there were growing fears As German troops neared Paris—there were growing fears

of the Russian force ready for war east of Germany.of the Russian force ready for war east of Germany. Germany was stretching weak communication lines and Germany was stretching weak communication lines and

supplies; additionally the Russian threat pulled German supplies; additionally the Russian threat pulled German troops from the Western Front. troops from the Western Front.

French and British troops were more organized as supplies French and British troops were more organized as supplies and communication lines were shorter.and communication lines were shorter.

C. Unrestricted Submarine WarfareC. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

1. Trying to aggressively end the war, 1. Trying to aggressively end the war, Germany announces unrestricted Germany announces unrestricted submarine warfare. Any boats, ships, or submarine warfare. Any boats, ships, or submarines were open to German submarines were open to German attack. attack.

2. When a German U-boat sank the 2. When a German U-boat sank the Lusitania in May of 1915, they ended Lusitania in May of 1915, they ended the submarine warfare policy after the submarine warfare policy after strong warnings from President strong warnings from President Woodrow Wilson.Woodrow Wilson.

Ypres, pictured below, was where gas was first used.

The Stalemate—1915The Stalemate—1915

1. Elaborate tunnels, shelters, and 1. Elaborate tunnels, shelters, and trenches stretching 600 miles from trenches stretching 600 miles from the English Channel to the Swiss the English Channel to the Swiss boarder were dug on both sides of boarder were dug on both sides of the battle ground. the battle ground.

2. “No man’s land” was the land 2. “No man’s land” was the land between the trenches. Soldiers were between the trenches. Soldiers were in the trenches for weeks, months, in the trenches for weeks, months, and even years and even years

Trench Warfare Trench Warfare

Western Front, 1916Western Front, 1916 Battle of Verdun Feb.21- Dec.18Battle of Verdun Feb.21- Dec.18

• No tactical or strategic advantage No tactical or strategic advantage gained at allgained at all

• Biggest success: wounded both armiesBiggest success: wounded both armies• Casualties:550,000 FR / 434,000 GERCasualties:550,000 FR / 434,000 GER

Before and After Verdun

Before and Before and After VerdunAfter Verdun

Crater at beginning of Somme Crater at beginning of Somme caused by 27 tons of explosivecaused by 27 tons of explosive

Soldiers in the trenches Soldiers in the trenches

German troops near Bapaume , German troops near Bapaume , Battle of SommeBattle of Somme

Watching the Battle of the Watching the Battle of the SommeSomme

Dead on the Dead on the SommeSomme

British DeadBritish Dead

The Trenches, the Bogs, the The Trenches, the Bogs, the BombardmentBombardment

The trenches

Caring for the wounded in the mud.

Caution on the next one…

Trench FootTrench FootThe cure: amputationThe cure: amputation

The BogsThe Bogs

German artillery designed to decimate the German artillery designed to decimate the trenches and disrupt supply linestrenches and disrupt supply lines

The Bombardment: German The Bombardment: German gunners firing at Allied positionsgunners firing at Allied positions

Zimmermann TelegramZimmermann Telegram

1. Message from Arthur Zimmerman, 1. Message from Arthur Zimmerman, Germany’s foreign minister the Germany’s foreign minister the German ambassador to MexicoGerman ambassador to Mexico

2. Promised New Mexico, Texas, and 2. Promised New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona to be returned to Mexico for Arizona to be returned to Mexico for siding with Germany during WWIsiding with Germany during WWI

3. The United States entered the Great 3. The United States entered the Great War after a telegram was War after a telegram was intercepted.intercepted.

B. The Death Toll Mounted B. The Death Toll Mounted

1. Newspaper lists of casualties grew 1. Newspaper lists of casualties grew longer and longer. longer and longer.

2. Wounded soldiers came home with 2. Wounded soldiers came home with horror stores of war. horror stores of war.

3. Soldiers in trenches were living with 3. Soldiers in trenches were living with rats eating spoiled canned meat—rats eating spoiled canned meat—with no end in sight for the war. with no end in sight for the war.

4. Bloody battle gained only meters for 4. Bloody battle gained only meters for one side at the cost of more than one side at the cost of more than 300,000 lives in 1916. 300,000 lives in 1916.

C. Problems in Russia C. Problems in Russia 1. Three years of fighting took more 1. Three years of fighting took more

lives than the previous 300 in lives than the previous 300 in Europe.Europe.

2. No where were the effect felt more 2. No where were the effect felt more than Russia. Russia was suffering than Russia. Russia was suffering from a lack of guns, ammunition, from a lack of guns, ammunition, warm-clothing, and food—against a warm-clothing, and food—against a well armed German force. well armed German force.

Problems in Russia cont. Problems in Russia cont.

3. Poor leadership and a lack of 3. Poor leadership and a lack of supplies led to a sense of betrayal supplies led to a sense of betrayal among Russian troops. among Russian troops.

4. Decades of discontent with the 4. Decades of discontent with the czar’s government led to revolution czar’s government led to revolution in Russia. in Russia.

5. The new government promised to 5. The new government promised to keep fighting—but overwhelming keep fighting—but overwhelming problems in Russia made that problems in Russia made that impossible. impossible.

D. German problems—1917D. German problems—1917

1. exhausted resources 1. exhausted resources 2. exhausted manpower2. exhausted manpower3. food shortages3. food shortages

1. The Russian Revolution effectively 1. The Russian Revolution effectively ended Russian involvement in the ended Russian involvement in the war war

2. Germany acted quickly to 2. Germany acted quickly to strengthen their Western forces strengthen their Western forces trying to force Allied surrender trying to force Allied surrender before the American troops arrived. before the American troops arrived.

E. Turning the Tide of War

3. The Germans push within 50 miles 3. The Germans push within 50 miles of Paris before their advance stalled. of Paris before their advance stalled. But Americans were arriving with But Americans were arriving with 250,000 troops a month. 250,000 troops a month.

4. Fighting along veteran forces the 4. Fighting along veteran forces the Allied forces were victorious through Allied forces were victorious through August and September—as the August and September—as the Central Powers were strained to a Central Powers were strained to a breaking point. breaking point.

5. The Bulgarians and the Ottomans 5. The Bulgarians and the Ottomans were crumbling and sued for peace.were crumbling and sued for peace.

6. By November, a revolution in 6. By November, a revolution in Austria-Hungary brought the empire Austria-Hungary brought the empire to an end. to an end.

7. November 9, 1918, Kaiser William II 7. November 9, 1918, Kaiser William II abdicated and gave up his throne. A abdicated and gave up his throne. A representative of the new representative of the new government signed as armistice for government signed as armistice for peace. peace.

8. November 11, 1918 is the official 8. November 11, 1918 is the official end of the Great War. end of the Great War.

End of FightingEnd of Fighting

November 11, 1918November 11, 1918 Armistice DayArmistice Day Official end – 11 o’clock, 11Official end – 11 o’clock, 11thth day of day of

1111thth month month

1.1. Victory and defeat was costly. The Victory and defeat was costly. The Lost Generation—almost even Lost Generation—almost even family lost someone to the war. family lost someone to the war.

2.2. Deep scars were left in the Deep scars were left in the memories of survivors; pessimism memories of survivors; pessimism and bitterness were seen in art and and bitterness were seen in art and literature. literature.

Costs of the Great War

Financial Cost of WWIFinancial Cost of WWI The financial cost of the war is said The financial cost of the war is said

to have amounted to almost $38 to have amounted to almost $38 billion for Germany alonebillion for Germany alone

Austria-Hungary $20 billion  Austria-Hungary $20 billion  In total the war cost the Allies around In total the war cost the Allies around

$125 billion; the Central Powers $60 $125 billion; the Central Powers $60 billion.billion.

CasualtiesCasualties(IN MILLIONS)(IN MILLIONS)

Country Dead Wounded Missing Totalor POW

Austria 1.2 3.6 2.2 7,000,000Brit. Emp 1 2.1 0.2 3,300,000France 1.4 4.2 0.5 6,100,000Germany 17.7 4.2 1.1 23,000,000Italy 0.7 1 0.6 2,300,000Russia 1.7 5 2.5 9,200,000Turkey 0.3 0.4 0.25 950,000US 0.1 0.3 0.05 450,000TOTAL 24.1 20.8 7.4 52,300,000

Statistics relating to the First World war are very useful when analyzing the impact that the war had upon society. Some of the figures are, however, a little questionable: the information has been collected based on a number of reputable sources.

In 1919, the Big 4 met in Paris to negotiate the TreatyIn 1919, the Big 4 met in Paris to negotiate the Treaty

(Left to right) Lloyd George of Britain, Orlando of Italy, (Left to right) Lloyd George of Britain, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France, and Woodrow Wilson of the U.S.Clemenceau of France, and Woodrow Wilson of the U.S.

The signing of the Treaty of Versailles The signing of the Treaty of Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, 28 in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, 28

June 1919June 1919