How did two bullets kill 20 million? Things you need to know before we get going…
Countries in Europe were becoming more and more suspicious of each other. Germany was jealous of Britain’s empire and wanted an empire of it’s own. The Balkan countries were up for grabs. Alsace-Lorraine – argued about for ages and ….. Weapons were being developed all across Europe. If that is too much to take in, just remember….
Countries in Europe were getting more and more greedy and They were VERY suspicious of “the other side”. Would you go to war…
Our nation is attacked by a foreign military A nation with whom we have a mutual defense alliance is attacked Our President is assassinated by a terrorist from an unfriendly nation Our President tells us that a country is planning an imminent attack on us A country has just had a fundamentalist revolution and is sending fighters into oil-producing nations in the region An unfriendly nation has just successfully tested a nuclear weapon in violation of a signed UN agreement A US naval vessel is sunk in a foreign harbor by government agents from that country
Observe the two maps:
What empires are missing?
What can this tell us about the outcome of the war? Other Causes: Alliances
What differences do you notice about By 1914 all the major thispowers map, were and linked the by a system of alliances. Europe today? The alliances made it more likely that a war would start. Once started, the alliances made it more likely to spread.
The Main Idea Rivalries among European nations led to the outbreak of war in 1914.
This Section’s Focus Questions:
• What were the causes of World War I? WWI role play: You become the countries of Europe and determine if war can be avoided! Archduke Austria-Hungary Francis (assassinated) King George V Ferdinand Great Britain
Emperor Franz Austria- Czar Nicholas II Joseph Hungary Russia
Kaiser Wilhelm II President Woodrow Wilson Germany
Prince Alexander United States WORLD (took over affairs for ailing Peter I) LEADERS Prime Minister Serbia Rene Viviani OF WWI France
Helpful Memory Aide for some of the Causes of WWI Causes of World War I: Militarism
Germany was competing with Britain to build battleships.
The British feared an attack on their Empire Militarism
Germany was competing with Russia and France to expand their armies 1880 1914 Germany 1.3m 5.0m France 0.73m 4.0m Russia 0.40m 1.2m Causes of WWI: Alliances Alliances
Nations formed alliances--or partnerships--for protection. Alliances were formed to maintain peace but would lead directly to war. Triple Alliance—Germany’s military alliance with Austria- Hungary and Italy. Triple Entente--Great Britain’s alliance with France and Russia. Some European leaders believed that these alliances created a balance of power-- each nation had equal strength, therefore decreasing the chance of war. • Before 1914 European nations were engaged in a struggle to obtain overseas colonies.
•Many nations took part in what became known as the “Scramble for Africa”. •Such imperial contests for power increased tensions between European nations
BRITAIN FRANCE GERMANY ITALY BELGIUM Causes of World War I: Nationalism
Nations wanted to assert their power and independence.
In Europe Slavs, aided by Serbia and Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule.
Serbia’s national flag Causes of WWI: Nationalism Vs. Imperialism Vs. Militarism
Nationalism Imperialism Militarism • Extreme pride people • Other nations were • The policy of feel for their country military also trying to preparedness • Struggle for power expand, and this quest for colonial • Germany built a was visible in the strong navy to Balkans, a European empires is known rival Britain’s region with many as imperialism. ethnic groups. • Germany • Late 1800s: Britain enlarged, bought • The Ottoman Empire and France already latest weapons. that ruled the had large empires. Balkans was falling apart. • German emperor, • Austria-Hungary saw Kaiser Wilhelm II, this and began to wanted colonies annex provinces. for Germany. • The Slavs wanted to • He created a revolt, and Russia stronger military promised protection. to start colonizing. Franz-Josef Kaiser Wilhelm II Czar Nicholas II Leader of Austria-Hungary Leader of Germany Leader of Russia Kaiser Wilhelm II
Built up German army and navy
Determined to make Germany a top nation.
Distrusted by other powers
“Germany must have its place in the sun” “The world belongs to the strong.” The Crisis in Bosnia On 28 June 1914, Heir to Austrian throne Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia, which was recently grabbed by Austria. Hotbed of Slav nationalism, and Serbia wanted the territory for itself, to unite the Slavs Seal of the Black Hand group NEWS FLASH!!!
June 28, 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophia are assassinated by terrorist Gavrilo Princip of the Black Hand!!
July 5, 1914 Germany issues A-H “blank check” for war, pledging military assistance if A-H goes to war against Russia!!
Austria-Hungary is DEMANDING and investigation!
Ferdinand Princip Funeral for Ferdinand & Sofia
Causes of WWI continued: The “July Crisis” Spirals Out of Control
Austro-Hungarian officials learned that the Serbian government had supplied the assassins with bombs “Demands must be and weapons. put to Serbia that would be wholly Because Russia had vowed to protect impossible for them Serbia, Russia’s army began to mobilize and prepare. to accept …” Germany, allied with Austria- Hungary, declared war on Russia and France, Russia’s ally. Germany followed the Schlieffen Plan --Germany’s military plan to defeat France and Russia by crossing into neutral Belgium
Count Berchtold Austrian Prime Minister. The Schlieffen Plan’s Destructive Nature
“Knock out blow” aimed at France first. Avoid French defences by invasion of Belgium. However, did not have Belgium’s permission, and another country vowed to come to Belgium’s aid… Why did Britain get involved?
Britain had Ententes with France and Russia. Only “friendly agreements” but French and Russians were given impression Britain would fight. The Schlieffen Plan forced them into the war through their alliance with Sir Edward Grey the Triple Entente British Foreign Secretary … “There’s some devilry going on in Berlin” “Belgium is a country, not a road”
King Albert I of Belgium denied permission to the Germans August 2, 1914 Germany declared war on France. August 4, 1914 Germans invade Belgium and march on Paris. Great Britain declares war on Germany to protect Belgian neutrality. 8 nations with 17 million soldiers are at war.
Color photo of Belgian troops carrying their FN Mauser Model 1889 rifles. (Color photography was invented around 1900, so WWI color photos are rare but exist!) The inevitability of war? The Alliance System at work.
July 28, 1914 A-H declares war on Serbia July 29, 1914 Serbia’s ally Russia orders full mobilization of its troops August 1,1914 Germany, Austria’s ally, declares war on Russia August 2, 1914 Germany demands Belgium declare access to German troops as part of the Schlieffen Plan to invade France
TWO SIDES OF WWI
ALLIES CENTRAL POWERS
Great Britain Germany France Austria-Hungary Russia Ottoman Empire (in Serbia 1916) Belgium Bulgaria Japan (later) U.S. (later) Italy
August 17, 1914--Battle of Tannenberg, Poland The most complete German victory of the war, involving the encirclement and destruction of the 2nd Russian Army September 12--The Germans rout the Russian invasion of East Prussia. The Russians lose 225,000 men to the German losses Russian Troops Fleeing after the of 50,000. Battle of Tannenberg NEW WEAPONS OF WWI
TANKS – BRITISH FLAME THROWER – GERMANS U-BOATS (UNTERSEEBOOTEN) AIRPLANES GAS POISON MUSTARD MACHINE GUNS TANK TRAPS NEW WAY TO FIGHT – TRENCH WARFARE MINES Frontline trenches. Group of French servicemen
September 5-9, 1914 The First Battle of the Marne The Germans are stopped 40 miles outside of Paris and have to retreat back 50 miles. The First Battle of the Marne
• The German army quickly advanced through northern France and after only one month of fighting were barely 25 miles from Paris. • The French, however, would not give up.
The Battle The Aftermath • The French launched a • The French paid a heavy counterattack along the Marne price, as countless red- coated French troops had River east of Paris on September fallen in the battle. 7, 1914. • Despite the loss of life, it • This battle became known as the helped the Allies by giving First Battle of the Marne. Russia more time to mobilize for war. • 2 million men fought on a battle- front that stretched 125 miles. • Once Russia mobilized, Germany had to pull some of • After five days and 250,000 its troops out of France and deaths, the French had rallied send them to fight Russia on and pushed the Germans back the Eastern Front, which some 40 miles. stretched from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea.
Italy joining the Allies
Promised land in Austria once the Central Powers were defeated, Italy switches sides and joins the allies May 23, 1915 Italy declares war and joins the Allies. Germany and Austria-Hungary now fight a two front war November, 1916 the Ottoman Empire joins the Central Powers A Stalemate on the Western and Eastern Front quickly ensued, and realizing that there would be no quick defeat, both sides dig in for the long haul… Trench warfare had begun and would continue for the next four years!
April-August, 1915 Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey Big failure for the Allies, which lose 250,000 casualties, and the same for the Turks -One of first major battles fought away from the Western front 1916
February 21-July 11 Battle of Verdun Massive German offensive the French. A battle of attrition –warfare meant to wear the other side down. Casualties: 315,000 to 377,000 French killed or wounded 337,000 Germans killed or wounded 150,000 of the dead never buried
"Neither side 'won' at Verdun. It was the indecisive battle in an indecisive war; the unnecessary battle in an unnecessary war; the battle that had no victors in a war that had no victors.” -- Alistair Horne, WWI historian “It's a sin To say that Hell is hot ~ 'cause it's not: Mind you, I know very well we're in hell.”
from The Mad Soldier by Edward July 1-November 18, 1916 Tennant The Battle Somme British & French offensive. One of the largest trench battles of the war! Casualties: 420,000 British 195,000 French 650,000 German The British lost 57,000 men on the first day, July 1st. May, 1917 The French army is exhausted, some units mutiny and France remains on the defensive until the arrival of American troops. Events in Russia March, 1917 The scarcity of food, fuel, and demands for democracy brings down Czar Nicholas II. A provisional government under Alexander Kerensky takes over. Kerensky keeps Russia in the war.
July, 1917 A devastating German offensive and Bolshevik activities break Russian morale. Russian troops start to mutiny and desert. Bolsheviks try to take over, but fail. Party leader Lenin goes into hiding. Grab textbook: Journey Across Time p 793
Group of Russians in the ruins. (Rheims The Marne. France 1917).
Lenin leads the “Bolshevik Revolution” promising land, bread, and peace.
November 7-16, 1917 The Bolshevik Revolution (“Ten Days that shook the World”)— Communist party leaders, under Vladimir Lenin, lead a revolution against the Russian government. The world’s first communist government is set up, using the Communist ideas of Karl Marx Alexander Kerensky flees to the U.S.
The Bolsheviks start negotiating peace with the Germans, signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Why does this year represent a major turning point in WWI and for which side? Germany turns to unrestricted submarine warfare
May 7, 1915 Lusitania –passenger ship---sunk by German submarines. 1198 of the 1959 passengers and crew die. 128 were Americans.
May 23, 1915 U.S begins to reconsider neutrality and favor the Allies.
German Unrestricted Submarine America’s Involvement Warfare U-Boats In 1915, Germany sank a luxury Germany suffered because of a British blockade, so it developed passenger ship to Great Britain small submarines called U-boats to called the Lusitania, killing many, strike back at the British. including 128 Americans U-boats are named after the Americans were outraged, and German for “undersea boat.” Wilson demanded an end to unrestricted submarine warfare. In February 1915 the German government declared the waters The Germans agreed to attack only around Great Britain a war zone, supply ships but later sank the threatening to destroy all enemy ships. French passenger ship Sussex, killing 80 people. Germany warned the U.S. that neutral ships might be attacked. Wilson threatened Germany again, and Germany issued the Sussex The German plan for unrestricted pledge, promising not to sink submarine warfare angered Americans, and Wilson believed it merchant vessels “without warning violated the laws of neutrality. and without saving human lives.” Wilson held Germany accountable for American losses. The United States Struggles to Stay Neutral
Americans thought of World War I as strictly a European conflict.
President Wilson declared that the U.S. would stay neutral —not support or attack either side.
Wilson’s decision reflected the U.S.’s longstanding policy of isolationism, or not being involved in foreign affairs.
Privately, Wilson favored the Allied because:
1) Germany had aggressive tactics.
2) The U.S. also had greater political, cultural, and commercial ties to Great Britain and France than to Germany.
3) Financially, the U.S. did more business with the Allies.
By 1917 Britain purchased nearly $75 million worth of war goods each week from the U.S.
The United States in World War I
The Main Idea The United States helped turn the tide for an Allied victory.
"Doughboys" (outdated slang for American Soldiers) in the trenches. 1917
February 1, 1917 Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare.
February 3, 1917 America breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany
Arthur Zimmerman, German ambassador To Mexico
March, 1917 7 American vessels are sunk by German submarines. The Zimmermann Telegram is made public, revealing an alleged plot—In return for Mexican support, Germans promised to help Mexico regain Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona from the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson General Pershing
April 6, 1917 America declares war on Germany, mobilizes and sends troops to France under General "Blackjack" Pershing The American Army
Raising an Army In May 1917, Congress passed the Selective Service Act, requiring men between 21 and 30 to register for a draft. In the summer of 1917, new recruits reported for training but found almost nothing ready. Soldiers slept in tents until barracks were built, and supplies hadn’t yet arrived. New recruits learned military rules with sticks and barrels instead of rifles and horses. American Military Women
The majority of Americans who served in the military were men, but some women also signed up to serve overseas. During the war, more than 20,000 nurses served in the U.S. Army in the United States and overseas. Women also served in the navy and marines, usually as typists and bookkeepers. Still, some women became radio operators, electricians, or telegraphers. The U.S. Army Signal Corps recruited French-speaking American women to serve as switchboard operators. Known as the Hello Girls, they served a crucial role in keeping communications open between the front line and the headquarters of the American Expeditionary Forces. Mobilizing the Economy
• Going to war was extremely expensive, and President Wilson needed to find ways to pay for it.
Taxes Loans and Liberty Regulating Bonds • Congress passed the Industry War Revenue Act • Wilson sparked an • Congress created of 1917, which intense campaign administrative established very to sell Liberty boards to prepare high taxes. Bonds--a form of industries for loan to the • It taxed wealthy war. government from Americans up to 77 • The War American people. percent of their Industries incomes. • The national debt Board (WIB) grew from $1.2 regulated all war • It increased federal billion to $25.5 revenue by 400 materials. billion in three percent within two • It increased years. years. industrial production by 20 percent. Analyze these posters!
What purpose did these posters serve?
GERMANY goes on the Offensive
March-July 1917 The German Friedensturm
It is designed to destroy the Allies before the American forces arrive in large numbers. The Germans lose 800,000 soldiers in four months. Germany and Russia Declare a Truce
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed on 3 March 1918 between the new Bolshevik government of Soviet Russia and the Central Powers ended Russia's participation in World War I. The Germans’ Last Offensive • On July 14, 1918, the Germans launched their last offensive at the Second Battle of the Marne. • U.S. blew up every bridge the Germans built across the Marne River, and the German army retreated on August 3, after suffering 150,000 casualties. • The Allies began a counterattack in September 1918 with the “100 days Offensive” and defeated German troops near the French- German border. Der Schwartze Tag (The black day) August 8, 1918 German forces take heavy losses. The army knows the war is lost.
• August 8-11, 1918 The Battle of Amiens Allied offensive that heavily damages the Germans. The Germans are forced to retreat • German morale is completely broken..
•By 1918 the war crippled the German economy, causing food strikes and riots, and revolution swept across Austria-Hungary. Kaiser Wilhelm II tells his advisors that Germany must come to an understanding with the enemy. “The war must be ended.”
•Austria-Hungary, and then Germany, surrendered, and the Allies demanded that Germany surrender its weapons and allow Allied occupation of some areas. November 11, 1918 The Germans sign the Armistice – cease-fire--ending the war. The Allied Forces Arrive at the Paris Peace Conference to draft The Treaty of Versailles.
Who is left out? Peace
The Main Idea The Allies determined the terms for peace in the postwar world. France Great Britain United States Italy
Casualties Casualties Casualties Casualties 1,368,000 942, 135 116,516 680,000
France suffered Spent nearly 8 U.S. entered the Switched sides at the most because billion pounds to war in 1917 and the beginning of Northern France pay for the war no battle had War based on the was a battle field effort. been fought on promises proposed U.S. soil. in the 1915 Treaty Invaded twice by Borrowed a billion of London germany since from the United U.S. businessmen 1870 States lent vast sums of By 1918 Italy was money to suffering from high 90 % of coal and Many of its citizens countries like inflation and iron industries were Blamed Germany Britain and France unemployment seized by for the war to fight the war. Germany during wanted revenge. the war, and New markets many of these Sayings like “once where open to the mines were a German always U.S. which flooded a German” European powers deliberately when became popular. could no longer Germany supply or support. retreated. Role Play: Based on what you know howThe do you Paris think each Peace country Conference would approach each of
• Presidentthe major Wilson ledquestions American negotiators entering attending the Paris the peace Peace conference conference.in Paris in January Answer 1919. each question as if your group was the– fourHe was main the first Allied U.S. President powers to visit France, Europe while Great in office. Britain, U.S., & Italy • Wilson acted as an unbiased leader to prevent squabbling among European 1. nations.Who is to blame for the war? 2. • TheWho Paris shouldPeace Conference pay reparations began on January for 12, the1919 cost of the war? 3. • GermanyWhat and should the Central happen Powers towere the not smallerinvited to attend. nations and countries effected by war? 4. What should be the purpose of the treaty of Versailles? Summary there was Conflicting Needs at the Peace Conference
The delegates arrived at the Peace Conference with competing needs and desires.
Better World Revenge Independence • Leaders of • President Wilson had • Many Allies Yugoslavia and a vision of a better wanted to punish Czechoslovakia world. Germany for its wanted to build role in the war. • He wanted nations to new nations. deal with each other • France accused • Poland, divided openly and trade Germany of between with each other tyrannical Germany and fairly. conduct, Russia, wanted exemplified by the one nation. • Wanted countries to huge loss of life. reduce their weapons • He proposed a “14 point plan” with the development of a “League of Nations”
Which options do you think would be chosen for the Treaty? Why?
Paris Peace Conference, January 1919. The main signatories of the treaty were Britain (Prime Minister David Lloyd George), the USA (President Woodrow Wilson), France (Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau) and Italy (Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando). These leaders were known as the 'Big Four' and met to decide the fate of Germany after the First World War.
The Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919 The German army & navy would be disarmed The Germans would have to pay $80 billion in damages or reparations. Germany had to accept full responsibility for causing the war Problems 1919-1924
Anger directed at the government, the new “Weimar Republic” for signing the Treaty of Versailles
Economic problems as all profit is sent directly to the Allies as reparations pay-outs
Rise of extremist groups attempting to wrestle power from the de- stabilised government (Communists, eventually the Nazis.)
The Impact of World War I
Political Economic Social • The war led to the • WWI devastated • The war killed 37 overthrow of European million people and monarchies in economies, giving left 7 million men disabled. Russia, Austria- the U.S. the Hungary, Germany, economic lead. • The war drew and the Ottoman more than a • Germany forced to Empire. million women into pay $80 billion in the U.S. workforce, • It contributed to the reparations, thus which helped them rise of the Bolsheviks ensuring the pass the to power in Russia in German people to Nineteenth 1917. poverty for the Amendment to get foreseeable future the vote. • It fanned the flames • It also encouraged of nationalism and African Americans the formation of new to move to independent northern cities for European countries. factory work. Impact in Europe
• The effects of World War I in Europe were devastating. – 1) European nations lost almost an entire generation of young men. – 2) France, where most of the fighting took place, was in ruins. – 3) Great Britain was deeply in debt to the U.S. and lost its place as the world’s financial center. – 4) The reparations forced on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles were crippling to its economy. • World War I would not be the “war to end all wars,” as some called it. – Too many issues were left unresolved. – Too much anger and hostility remained among nations. • Conflict would again break out in Europe, bringing the United States and the world back into war.