Causes, Weapons, and
Tactics of World War I
The “isms,” guns, gas, and guts
Alliances
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In order to provide safety for their citizens,
leaders chose to enter into alliances with
other countries
When an ally went to war, you were
obligated to as well
Triple Alliance (AKA Central Powers)
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Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (until 1915)
Triple Entente (AKA Allies)
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Britain, France, Russia (until 1917), US
(starting in 1917)
Militarism
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New weapons led to build up of militaries
Russia - largest in the world, but very
outdated
Germany - most powerful and modern
army of all
Britain - most powerful navy in the world
Nationalism
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Belief of many countries that they can do
no wrong
Results from propaganda spread by
government and media (yellow journalism)
Very dangerous as citizens do not think
critically for themselves
Imperialism
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Belief that getting new lands around the
globe adds resources and power
Conflicts arise as European nations fight
for position in Asia and Africa
Short Term Cause - “The
Lighting of the Power Keg”
Assassination of the Archduke
Franz Ferdinand of AustriaHungary
Assassination Starts Trouble
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Slavs in Austria-Hungary want freedom
(nationalism)
Slavs are allied with Serbia (alliances)
Gavrilo Princip, a member of the terrorist
organization called the Black Hand, shoots and
kills the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife
in Bosnia
Austria-Hungary immediately declares war on
Serbia
Technology of WWI
Considered the
“First Modern War”
Rifles
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Much more accurate and could shoot
farther
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Poison Gas
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First used by the Germans and later by
Allies
A way to combat trench warfare
Heavier than air to sink into trenches
Burned eyes and/or lungs
Gas masks began to be used.
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Trench Warfare
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Trenches were dug to hide in
6 to 8 feet deep, they filled with water in rain
Men lived in trenches for months or years
without leaving them
Boredom and terror were two most common
states
Stalemate - no movement
No Man’s Land - area between trenches was
cleared with flamethrowers and guarded with
barbed wire
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Machine Guns
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Capable of shooting 300 rounds (bullets)
per minute consistently
Did the work of 80 rifles with a crew of four
Very heavy (140 lbs), jammed a lot, and
overheated before becoming water cooled
by end of war.
Placed on trenches, they stopped troop
movements
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Tanks
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In 1916, these creations began to be used
by the French
Germans quickly created some as well
Soldiers were able to hide behind them
Had troubles with getting stuck in trenches
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Airplanes
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Used primarily to scout enemy lines
Could be used to drop explosives
Had machine guns mounted above wings
Dogfight - air to air fighting between planes
Famous pilots
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Baron von Richtofen (Germany)- “Red Baron”
Eddie Rickenbacker (American flying for France)
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Zeppelins
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Also known as blimps
Used to glide over cities and drop bombs
Very slow but few guns could shoot them
down
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U-Boats
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German submarines that wreaked havoc
with the Allies
Snuck up on prey without warning and
fired torpedoes
Cannot be defended when surfaced, but
cannot see what target is when
submerged
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Your Task: Due Next Block!
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Write a letter from the western front in
WWI describing what life is like in the
trenches.
Ideas you might wish to include:
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Weapons, injuries, food, living conditions,
gangrene, emotions, and relationships