1914-1918:
The World
at War
Coach Terry Ferguson
Weatherford
High School
Causes
of the
War
1. Economic & Imperial Rivalries
European nations compete for colonies in Africa and
Asia. France and Germany nearly go to war over
Morocco in 1905 and 1911. Distrust grows among rivals.
1. Economic & Imperial Rivalries
 Colonial rivalries created conflicts around the world.
 Thailand remained independent because Britain and
France wanted a “buffer state” between British India and
French Southeast Asia (Vietnam).
 Conflicts in Africa, such as the Fashoda Crisis and the
Boer War, brought European countries to the brink of a
global war.
 Germany was late to the imperial game and aggravated
the French and British by trying to turn natives against
their colonial masters (Moroccan Crisis).
2. Aggressive Nationalism
Competition for industrial dominance
develops between Great Britain and
Germany; territorial disputes over AlsaceLorraine after the Franco-Prussian War
promote rivalry between France and
Germany; Austria-Hungary and Russia
compete for dominance of the Balkan
Peninsula, where independence movements
of various Slavic people develop.
2. Aggressive Nationalism
 Absolutely no sense of a community of nations or that
nations should work together.
 All alliances are motivated by self-interest.
 In the Balkans, the desire for national boundaries to
correspond with national or ethnic groups living in the
regions (Pan Slavism) (Serbian nationalist organizations)
 Each country considered themselves superior to all
others.
 Democratic nations feel they are superior to monarchies and vice versa.
2. Aggressive Nationalism
3. Militarism & Arms Race
Increasing nationalism led to a European arms race.
Total Defense Expenditures for the Great
Powers [Ger., A-H, It., Fr., Br., Rus.]
in millions of £s.
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1914
94
130
154
268
289
398
1910-1914 Increase in
Defense Expenditures
France
10%
Britain
13%
Russia
39%
Germany
73%
3. Militarism & Arms Race
 Prussia, already with a strong military heritage, unites the German
states into the Empire of Germany, giving them even more
resources that can be used towards the military.
 A united Germany, because of the lack of natural barriers and central
European location, relies on their military for protection.
 Russia has a million-man army; under-equipped and poorly trained
but the German military referred to them as the “Russian
Steamroller”
 Industrialization enabled mass-produced weapons in vast amounts.
 The British built the “dreadnoughts,” a class of super ships and soon
the Germans copy the design.
 The British Two Power Policy: The British navy would be larger
than the next two powers combined.
 Innovation and scientific progress was applied to military purposes
(gas warfare, airplanes).
 Germany begins to build a navy to compete with the British.
 Military officers would create plans for certain scenarios. When the
scenario took place, they just put the pre-developed plan into action
(Schlieffen Plan).
4. The Alliance System
 Alliances between the great powers of Europe were
complicated and shifted constantly during the last half of
the 19th century. Nations pledged to intervene if an ally
was attacked.
 There were two major alliances at the outbreak of World
War I in 1914: Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente
 From 1870 – 1914, the major powers create, let slip,
rearrange, and recreate a number of alliances.
 The purpose of the alliance was to increase a nation’s
power and security.
 Many of the treaties were made in secret.
4. The Alliance System
 Franco-Russian Alliance
 British-French Entente Cordial (1905)
 Many of the royal families of Europe were related:
The emperors of Germany, the Czar of Russia and the
King of England were first cousins. Many felt that this
relationship would keep them from fighting each other.
(the Willy-Nicky Letters were sent from Wilhelm of
Germany to his Cousin Nicholas of Russia right before
the war to keep Russia from supporting the Serbs, often
beginning “Dear Nicky”)
4. The Alliance System
Triple Entente
Great Britain
France
Russia
Triple Alliance
(Central Powers)
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
Italy
Note: Italy, though allied with Germany and Austria-Hungary before the
war through trade, refused to join them when the war started. Instead,
Italy entered the war on the Allied side in May 1915.
4. The Alliance System
Triple Entente:
Triple Alliance:
Two Armed Camps!
Allied Powers:
Central Powers:
The Major Players: 1914-17
Allied Powers:
Central Powers:
Nicholas II
[Rus]
Wilhelm II [Ger]
George V [Br]
Victor Emmanuel
II [It]
Enver Pasha
[Turkey]
Pres. Poincare [Fr]
Franz Josef [A-H]
Main Causes of WWI
RAQ # 1
Rank the main causes of WWI from 1-4
with 1 being the cause that you feel was
the most important reason the war began.
Explain why you believe this way.
Europe in 1914
The Balkans, 1914
The
“Powder Keg”
of Europe
The Balkans, 1914
The "Powder keg of Europe“ refers to the
Balkans in the early part of the 20th century. In
this time period there were a number of
overlapping claims to territories and spheres of
influence between the major European powers
such as Russia and Austria-Hungary and, to a
lesser degree, Imperial Germany, Great Britain,
and Italy. In addition to the imperialistic
ambitions and interests in this region, there was a
growth in nationalism with the indigenous
peoples of this region leading to the formation of
the independent states of Greece, Serbia,
Montenegro, Bulgaria and Romania.
The
“Spark”
The Assassination of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand,
the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was
assassinated while traveling to inspect troops in
Sarajevo, Bosnia.
His assassin was Gavrilo Princip, a member of
the Black Hand organization that was calling for
Serbian independence from Austria.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand &
His Family
The Assassination: Sarajevo
The Assassin:
Gavrilo
Princip
Part of the group “The Black Hand” a secret society that was formed in
1911 by Serbian army officers
whose goal was to create an independent
Serbia by use of violent acts.
The Assassination
The Archduke's death set into motion an unstoppable
mechanism based on entangling alliances whereby most of
Europe was pulled into World War I.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuLviBGy7Yc
RAQ #2
After watching the video discuss the following questions with your
partner:
Do you think World War I would have happened if the assassination
would not have taken place? Explain why or why not.
Why did the assassin’s take the cyanide poison after their mission was
complete? Is this true Nationalism?
Who’s To Blame?
Notice how Italy has it’s arms crossed!
Who’s To Blame for Starting WWI?
Although Austria started the war, in response to the actions of the Serbian
terrorist group, The Black Hand, Germany was largely responsible for the
war becoming a global conflict.
Germany sided with Austria, due to their alliances.
This in turn provoked Russia, who feared a teutonic (German) expansion.
Germany had had a plan to invade France (the Schlieffen Plan) for over a
decade, and took the hostilities as a chance to enact their plan. They invaded
France partly by going through Belgium, despite the fact that Britain had an
agreement to defend Belgium for around 60 years.
Germany had never expected Britain to uphold the agreement, and was
surprised when the British sent an invasion force.
By 1917 America was deciding whether to actively join the war, and the
excuse came when a German U-boat sunk a US hospital ship, the Lusitanian.
Timeline Of World War I
RAQ #3
After receiving the timeline handout of
WWI find two interesting facts concerning
the order in which the war progressed and
then discuss the impact of these facts
(politically, economically or socially) with
your partner.
The Schlieffen Plan
The German plan to attack
France consisted of sweeping
through Belgium to quickly
knock France out of the war. At
the same time, a Belgium
invasion would keep the British
military off of the continent.
The Germans then planned to
turn on the Russians who
would be slower to mobilize.
The plan was meant to
“AVOID” a two-front war: for
various reasons the
Schlieffen Plan failed and
Germany found itself battling
enemies on both sides.
Mobilization
 Germany -Home by
Christmas!
 No major war
in 50 years!
 Nationalism!
It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go;
It's a long way to Tipperary,
To the sweetest girl I know!
Goodbye, Piccadilly,
Farewell, Leicester Square,
It's a long, long way to Tipperary,
But my heart's right there!
During the First World War
the Irish regiment “the
Connaught Rangers” were
witnessed singing this song
as they marched through
Boulogne on 13 August 1914.
The song concentrated on
their longing for home and
became one of the most
popular songs during the war.
German Atrocities in Belgium
MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS
OF WORLD WAR I
Total war – belligerents use all available
resources against their enemies
– Mobilization of large numbers of soldiers that results
in their removal from production jobs
– Food rationing
– Use of propaganda to divert attention to the war effort
– Changes in government policy to address wartime
economics
MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS
OF WORLD WAR I
High casualty rates:
8.5 million soldiers killed, 21
million soldiers wounded; countless
civilian deaths due to starvation,
disease, and slaughter
MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS
OF WORLD WAR I
 Trench warfare
Western Front in France; little gains for each
side resulting in high casualties for both sides
Modern military technology:
• Poison gas: caused blinding, blistering, and death by choking
• Machine guns: improved during WWI; large numbers of casualties at
one time made it difficult for forces to advance and created stalemates
• Tanks: armored vehicles that moved across wide areas but did not
promote the fast-moving war that was planned
• Airplanes: photo reconnaissance, dropping of bombs, warfare in the air
• Submarines (U-boats): unrestricted warfare on naval ships
• Flame throwers: used to flush soldiers out of trenches
Recruitment Posters
Recruits of the
Central Powers
A German Soldier
Says Farewell to
His Mother
AustroHungarians
New French Recruits
A German Boy Pretends to Be a
Soldier
Soldiers Mobilized
14
12
Millions
10
8
6
4
2
0
France
Germany
Russia
Britain
The War of the
Industrial
Revolution:
New
Technology
Krupp’s “Big Bertha” Gun
Tanks
Armored
vehicles that
moved across
wide areas
but did not
promote the
fast-moving
war that was
planned.
French Renault Tank
British Tank at Ypres
German U-Boats
Unrestricted warfare on naval ships
Allied Ships Sunk by U-Boats
Dots represent Allied
ships sunk by UBoats! 12,547 were
sunk around 1500
were out of action!
The Airplane
Used for photo
reconnaissance of
trenches, dropping of
bombs and eventually
warfare in the air
“Squadron Over the Brenta”
Max Edler von Poosch, 1917
The Flying Aces of World War I
Eddie
Rickenbacher, US
Francesco
Barraco, It.
Eddie “Mick”
Mannoch, Br.
Willy Coppens de
Holthust, Belg.
Rene Pauk
Fonck, Fr.
Manfred von
Richtoffen, Ger.
[The “Red Baron”]
Curtis-Martin
U. S. Aircraft Plant
The Zeppelin
Flame
Throwers
Used to flush soldiers
out of trenches
Grenade
Launchers
Poison Gas
Caused blinding,
blistering, and
death by choking
Machine Gun
Improved during WWI;
large numbers of
casualties at one time
made it difficult for
forces to advance and
created stalemates.
War of the Industrial Revolution
RAQ #10
Explain the effects of the major new
military technologies on World War I.
Which new weapon do you think was
responsible for the high causality rates in
WWI?
The Western Front:
A “War of Attrition” or “Trench
Warfare”
A Multi-Front War
The Western Front
Trench Warfare
Western Front
Trench Warfare
Here is the horror, savagery and pointlessness of trench warfare.
Opening scene of All Quiet on the Western Front, 1979 version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXtsiqrhqsU
RAQ # 8
After watching the video clip, analyze the following quote:
“The honor of fighting for your country tends to fade as the reality of war sets
in. All men do it for the honor and pride of defending their countries at first but
in the end they fight for each other.War is part of the human character, it's
never going away. One must devote a good part of life learning its history as to
not forget its lessons……. less we repeat our mistakes.”
Trench Warfare
“No Man’s
Land”
Battle of Verdun War Memorial
February, 1916
e German offensive.
e Each side had 500,000 casualties.
Battle of The Somme
July, 1916
e 60,000 British soldiers killed in one day.
e Over 1,000,000 killed in 5 months.
War Is Hell!
Sacrifices in War
The
Eastern
Front
Video – War on the Eastern Front
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijN9B-OpiYQ
The Gallipoli Disaster, 1915
On April 24th, 1915, an amphibious
force of British, French, Australian,
and New Zealand troops began
landing on the Turkish peninsula of
Gallipoli. Their aim, to knock
Germany's ally, Turkey, out of the
war. Only a small Turkish force
awaited them on the cliffs
overlooking the shore. However, the
Gallipoli landing was a disaster
caused by inadequate intelligence,
insufficient attention to the terrain,
an underestimation of the enemy's
strength and resilience in defense of
their native soil. Nine months after
landing, the allies withdrew after
incurring over 250,000 casualties,
including over 46,000 dead.
The Gallipoli Disaster, 1915
The
“Colonial”
Fronts
War of Imperialism
Sikh British Soldiers in India
Fighting in Africa
Black Soldiers in the
German Schutztruppen
[German E. Africa]
British Sikh
Mountain Gunners
Fighting in Africa
3rd British Battalion, Nigerian Brigade
Fighting in Salonika, Greece
French colonial marine infantry from
Cochin, China - 1916
America
Joins
the
Allies
Events that led to US involvement
In WWI
The Sinking
of the Lusitania
Events that led to US involvement
In WWI
The Zimmerman
Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram
 A 1917 diplomatic proposal from the German Empire to
Mexico to make war against the United States. The
proposal was intercepted and decoded by British
intelligence. Revelation of the contents outraged
American public opinion and helped generate support for
the United States declaration of war on Germany in April.
 The message came as a coded telegram dispatched by the
Foreign Secretary of the German Empire, Arthur
Zimmermann, on 16 January 1917 to the German
ambassador in Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt.
 The telegram instructed Ambassador Eckardt that if the
U.S. appeared likely to enter the war, he was to approach
the Mexican Government with a proposal for military
alliance, with funding from Germany. Mexico was
promised territories in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
that had been lost to the United States starting in 1836 as
parts of the former Republic of Texas.
America Joins the Allies
When war erupted in 1914, the United States attempted to remain
neutral and was a proponent for the rights of neutral states.
RAQIsolationist
#9
foreign policy was encouraged by Congress's
giving other
a political
into US
Theapprehensions
United Statesabout
is currently
part countries
of the North
Atlanticdoor
Treaty
policies and the cultural melting pot of the United States' population.
Organization (NATO) where member nations (28 current members)
are In
in spite
alliance
with factors,
each other.
ThereStates
are numerous
reasons
of these
the United
did enter World
WartoI be
when
Wilson asked Congress for permission to go to war,
allied
withPresident
other countries.
and on April 6, 1917, congress officially declared it. President
Wilson, along with many Americans, justified their involvement as
act of
of those
high principle
List "an
some
reasons.and idealism...[and]...as a crusade to make
the world safe for democracy."
Would we go to war if any of our NATO allies are attacked?
The Yanks
Are Coming!
Americans in the Trenches
Women
and the
War
Effort
Financing the War
Munitions Workers
French Women Factory
Workers
German Women Factory Workers
Working in the Fields
A Woman Ambulance Driver
Red Cross Nurses
Russian Women Soldiers
RAQ #5
Until the recent passage of a law permitting women
to fight in war, the United States never allowed women to be on
the front lines in battle.
Why did countries heavily involved in WWI allow this?
Do you agree that we should allow women to fight in war?
Should the United States make it mandatory that every
citizen serve at least one year in the military? Why or
Why not? What would be the benefit of this?
Posters:
Wartime
Propaganda
Australian Poster
RAQ #6
Propaganda is a powerful tool that
governments must use to gain
support when involved in war.
Analyze this propaganda poster put
forth by the Australian government
and explain the symbolism it is
referring to so as to gain support from
the citizens.
Why would Australia be willing to get
involved in the war in Europe?
American Poster
Financing the War
German Poster
RAQ #7
What emotion is being used in this German propaganda poster ?
Do you agree with the use of such an emotion to gain support?
With your elbow partner, create a propaganda poster and slogan that would
create support for the citizens of the United States if we were to go to war.
Be creative! Don’t use slogans/posters from the past.
Think of Your Children!
“Art”
of
World
War I
“Oppy Wood” – John Nash, 1917
“Those Who Have Lost Their Names”
Albin Eggar-Linz, 1914
Another Disaster!!!
1918 Flu Pandemic
(Depletes All Armies)
50,000,000 –
100,000,000 died
The End Of The GREAT WAR!
11 a.m., November 11, 1918
The Armistice is signed!
The End Of The GREAT WAR!
On November 11, 1918, a depleted Germany agreed to an armistice
in what was then known simply as the Great War, putting a merciful
end to four years of conflict that killed some 10 million soldiers and
left 21 million more wounded.
The legacy of the First World War didn't end there, however, nor did
it end seven months later, when a formal peace treaty was signed in
the glittering Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, France.
The Versailles Treaty required Germany to acknowledge its guilt in
causing the war, and to pay hefty economic reparations in
compensation for the losses and damages of the Allies.
Widespread hatred of the treaty in Germany helped fuel the rise of
Adolf Hitler, whose unchecked aggression led directly to a second
devastating world war just three decades later.
The Aftermath
10,000,000 Dead
The Somme American
Cemetary, France
116,516 Americans Died
World War I Casualties
10,000,000
9,000,000
8,000,000
7,000,000
6,000,000
5,000,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
Russia
Germany
Austria-Hungary
France
Great Britain
Italy
Turkey
US
Impact of WWI
 Treaty of Versailles – required Germany to accept full responsibility
for the war.
 Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points - became the basis for the terms of the
German surrender at the end of the First World War.
 The League of Nations – organization created to help reduce the
future possibility of war
 The Great Depression United States emerged as a major creditor and financier of post-War
restoration.
Germany was burdened with massive war reparations. Britain and
France needed to rebuild.
US banks were more than willing to loan money. However, once US
banks began failing ... the banks not only stopped making loans, they
wanted their money back.
This put pressure on European economies, which had not fully
recovered from WWI, contributing to the global economic downturn.
Impact of WWI
Summary:
The global economy was greatly affected by World War I
leading countries to take drastic measures.
In a paragraph, identify characteristics of World War I
that include total war, trench warfare, modern military
technology and high casualty rates and explain how they
affected countries involved in World War I.