The First World War

1914- 1918:The World at War

Causesof the War

Think: MANIA Militarism-policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war Nationalism-extreme pride in one’s country Imperialism-when one country takes over another country politically and economically Assassination- of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand

1. The Alliance SystemAllied Powers: Central Powers:Great Britain Germany France BulgariaRussia Austria- Hungary

The Major Players: 1914-17Allied Powers: Central Powers:Nicholas II Wilhelm II [Ger] [Rus] George V [Br] Victor Emmanuel II [It]Pres. Poincare [Fr] Enver Pasha [Turkey] Franz Josef [A-H]

Europe in 1914

2. Militarism & Arms Race Military given high profile by govt. Maintained large militaries Growing divide led to an arms race Upgrade of army size and war technology Mass production of new, frightful weapons 1910-1914 Increase in Defense ExpendituresFrance 10%Britain 13%Russia 39%Germany 73%

3. Economic & Imperial Rivalries (Imperialism)•Countries fighting for colonies and resources in Africa•Germany didn’t attempt to colonize until after most land wasclaimed•They attempted to take a French colony•This induces fear for British colonies

4. Aggressive Nationalism•Essentially love of one’s country demanded hatred of another•Led to obvious aggression and a favorable atmosphere to war

5: The Assassination The “Powder Keg” of Europe

The“Spark”

The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie: in Sarajevo, June 28th, 1914 •Killed by a Serbian nationalist group called the “Black Hand”: •Believed that Bosnia should belong to Serbia

The Assassin: Gavrilo Princip

Who’s To Blame?

 Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia THEN Germany pledges their support for Austria- Hungary THEN Russia pledged their support for Serbia THEN…

 Germany declares war on Russia THEN France pledges their support for Russia THEN Germany declares war in France THEN Germany invades Belgium on the way to France THEN Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany Thus begins World War I

The Schlieffen Plan •The German plan for victory should they have to fight on two fronts •Concentrate all troops on Western Front before Russia fully mobilizes •Counter attacks by the French and the speedy Russian offensives stopped this •Led to trench warfare

Millions Soldiers Mobilized 14 Britain 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 France Germany Russia

The Western Front: A “War of Attrition”

The Western Front The area of military operations during the First World War which ran from Belgium, through Northern France, and to the Swiss Border First ever “trenches” are dug on the Western Front on September 14th, 1914

The Western Front

A Multi-Front War

Trench Warfarehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9iR0xJW-Fk

Trench Warfare “No Man’s Land”

Verdun – February, 1916 German offensive. Each side had around 500,000 casualties.

The Somme – July, 1916 60,000 British soldiers killed in one day. Over 1,000,000 killed in 5 months.

The War of the IndustrialRevolution: New Weapons

French Renault Tank

U-Boats(Submarines)

The Airplane“Squadron Over the Brenta”Max Edler von Poosch, 1917

The Zeppelin

Flame Throwers GrenadeLaunchers

Poison Gas (chlorine, mustard gas, phosgene)Machine Gun



11 a.m., November 11, 1918 The Armistice is Signed!

37,000,000 Dead

 World War I was a “stalemate” – Germany surrenders, but… – Neither side could make a move to win – Trench Warfare: millions die without gaining ground – Treaty of Versailles: Declares Germany guilty for the war and says they must pay reparations…which sets the stage for WWII

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.--Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

World War I Casualties10,000,000 Russia 9,000,000 Germany 8,000,000 Austria-Hungary 7,000,000 France 6,000,000 Great Britain 5,000,000 Italy 4,000,000 Turkey 3,000,000 US 2,000,000 1,000,000 0