The Great War
1914-1918
Causes and Battles
Tensions rise in Europe
• The time period immediately before World
War I was known as La Belle Epoch (which
means the beautiful era)
– Due to the positive achievements of the
Industrial Era
• However, it was also a time when tension
among various European powers was
increasing for several reasons
Trouble in the Balkans
• One problem was that the
Ottoman Empire was
receding and 2 countries
wanted the land:
• Austria-Hungary wants
land for their empire
• Serbia wants their own
kingdom
German Aggression
• Under Bismarck Germany had
maintained good relationships
with most of Europe
• But Kaiser Wilhelm II, the
new leader of Germany,
destroys the careful balance
– He wants Germany to “have its
place in the sun” and actively
starts to build up Germany’s
arsenal
• Alliances build up as a result
Triple Entente: ______, _____, _____ Triple Alliance: ____, ____, ___
(later known as the Allies)
(later known as the Central Powers)
The Powder Keg of Europe
• The tensions in pre-war
Europe can be remembered
as the MAIN causes of
WWI
• Militarism
• Alliance System
• Imperialism
• Nationalism
The Spark
• June 28, 1914
– Assassination of Archduke
Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo
– The Black Hand
– The catalyst for declarations
of war across Europe
Video:
http://www.history.com/vi
deos/causes-of-world-wari#causes-of-world-war-i
http://www.firstworldwar.com/video/ferdinand.htm
After the assassination…
• Why didn’t the assassination just remain an
issue between Serbia and Austria-Hungary?
The “Blank Check”
“Finally, as far as concerns Serbia, His
Majesty, of course, cannot interfere in the
dispute now going on between AustriaHungary and that country…The Emperor
Francis Joseph may, however, rest
assured that His Majesty will faithfully
stand by Austria-Hungary, as is required
by the obligations of his alliance and of
his ancient friendship.”
-Telegram from German chancellor to AustriaHungary, 1914, pledging German support
The Progression to War
(DON’T COPY THIS) Instead, just notice how
quickly everything escalated
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
July 23: Austria issues ultimatum to Serbia
Serbia doesn’t fulfill the ultimatum
July 28:Austria-Hungary declares war
July 29: Russia mobilizes its army
August 1: Germany declares war on Russia
August 3: Germany declares war on France
August 4: Great Britain declares war on Germany
The War Begins!
• By Aug 4, 1914, the great powers of Europe have
declared war on each other
• Both sides are confident that the war will be short and
victorious; it is viewed as an adventure by many
• Videos:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/videos#wwifirsts
http://www.firstworldwar.com/video/austrohungariantroo
psmarching.htm
Once the war begins, the Ottoman Empire joins the Central Powers.
Italy will not fight at first, and then join the Allies.
The
Schlieffen
Plan
• Germany’s war
strategy
• If you were
Germany, how
would you address
the problem of a
two-front war?
• Why did they feel
confident they would
easily defeat France?
• Did their plan work?
War Fronts
• The battle lines were
known as fronts
• WWI was fought in
many locations,
including European
colonies in East Africa
and North Africa
• However, the most
well known front
was…
The Western Front
• Fought in Belgium and France
• Involved Trench Warfare
– There was very little movement for 4 years, fierce fighting did
not lead to great gains in territory
– Very high casualty rates
– How would you feel as a soldier there?
– Famous battles:
• Battle of Verdun (1916) was the longest battle
• The Battle of the Somme (1916) had over 1 million casualties
• http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/videos#1916-battle-of-thesomme
Other Fronts
• The Balkan Front
– Battles take place in the
Middle East and Turkey
• The Eastern Front
– Fought in Russia
– Despite early successes,
the Russian troops were
severely under-equipped
• Some were instructed just
to pick up the weapons of
their fallen comrades
Where are the three fronts?
War of Attrition
• WWI quickly became a war of attrition
• Basically, each side tried to inflict as much damage as
possible on the other side
• The goal was to try to outlast your enemy
• How would this mentality relate to casualty numbers?
1917: An Important Year
•
Russia withdraws from the
war
The US enters the war-Why?
•
–
Unrestricted submarine warfare
(German U-Boats)
•
–
•
Sinking of the Lusitania (1915)
Zimmerman Telegraph
Provides a huge
psychological, as well as
material and financial, boost
for the allies
http://firstworldwar.com/audio/overth
ere.htm
Total War
• Complete mobilization of
resources and people for the war
effort
• Increased Government Powers
– The draft, rationing, governmentrun economies
• Manipulation of Public Opinion
– Propaganda, censorship
• Increased role of Women and
Minorities
– Jobs led to more freedoms
– African American troops fighting
overseas
sources
http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/
262/268312/art/figures/KISH536.jpg
www.firstworldwar.com
Why was the Balkan region a trouble spot?
WORLD WAR I
The two alliances systems the were created were:
The MAIN causes of the war were:
M:
A:
I:
N:
The event that sparked the war was the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir______________________________
by a member of the Black Hand (A Bosnian nationalist group) in Serbia
How did the other countries get involved?
Germany issues the ___________________, Austria gives Serbia an __________________, Russia mobilizes its army, and so does everyone else
Italy doesn’t join at first, and will actually __________________________. Also, the __________________________joins the Central Powers.
The ________________ Plan was Germany’s war strategy. It failed and resulted in the creation of ________________________.
What is a front?
The Western Front:
The Balkan Front:
The Eastern Front:
Why is 1917 an important year?
A Total War is when all of a country’s people and resources are used in the war effort.
Why is WWI considered to be a total war?
What role did women and minorities play in WWI?
What is propaganda?
Why was the Balkan region a trouble spot?
WORLD WAR I
The two alliances systems the were created were:
The Triple Entente: _________________, ________________, ______________
This group later became known as the Allies.
The Triple Alliance: ________________, _________________, _____________
This group later became known as the Central Powers.
The MAIN causes of the war were:
The event that sparked the war was the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir______________________________ by a member of the Black
Hand (A Bosnian nationalist group) in Serbia
How did the other countries get involved?
Germany issues the ___________________, Austria gives Serbia an __________________, Russia mobilizes its army, and so does everyone else
Italy doesn’t join at first, and will actually __________________________. Also, the __________________________joins the Central Powers.
The ________________ Plan was Germany’s war strategy. It failed and resulted in the creation of ________________________.
What is a front?
The Western Front:
The Balkan Front:
The Eastern Front:
Why is 1917 an important year? _______________left the war and ______________ joined
A Total War is when all of a country’s people and resources are used in the war effort.
Why is WWI considered to be a total war?
What role did women and minorities play in WWI?
What is propaganda?