World War I

Causes of the War Ethnic Nationalism Continual Imperialism Military Strength Alliance Systems

How did nationalism and imperialism lead to the out break of war? A: Both encouraged each European nation to pursue its own interests for power.

Setting off the Powder Keg 28 June 1914 Archduke of Austria-Hungry Assassinated Shot by a Serbian National War broke out between the Austria Empire and Serbia

Making it Complicated The Germans were allied with the Austrian-Hungary Empire Kaiser Wilhelm Germany would escalate the war Had one of the Strongest Armies

Russian Involvement Germany Declared war on Russia Tsar Nicholas II Russia was allied with Serbia Not Well equipped for War Could not mobilize Army very quickly

France Allied to Russia from the Franco-Russo Treaty Well Trained and Updated Military Looking for Revenge from the Franco-Prussian War Army Doubled

Britain “Splendid Isolation” Wanted to Stay out of the War Had the World’s Most Powerful Navy “Dreadnaughts” Alliances and Belgium Neutrality brought Britain into the War

Ottoman Empire Considered the “Sick man” of Europe Followed very traditional Islam Much like Russia, not prepared for a major war Subject to Revolution

1879 The Dual Alliance                                         Germany and Austria-Hungary made an alliance to protect themselves from Russia 1881 Austro-Serbian Alliance                                      Austria-Hungary made an alliance with Serbia to stop Russia gaining control of Serbia 1882 The Triple Alliance                                          Germany and Austria- Hungary made an alliance with Italy to stop Italy from taking sides with Russia 1914 Triple Entente (no separate peace)                                      Britain, Russia and France agreed not to sign for peace separately.                                                                                        1894 Franco-Russian Alliance                                       Russia formed an alliance with France to protect herself against Germany and Austria-Hungary 1907 Triple Entente                                          This was made between Russia, France and Britain to counter the increasing threat from Germany. 1907 Anglo-Russian Entente                                         This was an agreement between Britain and Russia 1904 Entente Cordiale                                         This was an agreement, but not a formal alliance, between France and Britain.

Sides are Drawn Triple Entente (Allies) Central Powers Germany The United Kingdom France Russia Later allies Italy (1915) Australia United States (1917) Central Powers Germany Austria-Hungary The Ottoman Empire

War Hopes and Desires Before WWI Quick Victory: much like the Franco-Prussian War of 1871 A Decisive War, a very short fight between nations “A war to end all Wars” After WWI War will last over 4 years Devastating to much of Europe Millions killed Did not end all wars, WWII

Rifles and Pistols German 1898 Mauser British Enfield US Springfield French Carbines German Lugers French and British Revolvers 1911 Colt .45 (US Made and Mr. Romani’s Favorite)

Artillery and Mortars Artillery Ruled the Battlefield Range 1 to 26 miles 2nd Killer next to Rifles Millions of Tons of Shells fired throughout the war Support Infantry advancements The Paris Gun

Machine Guns First Time effective use Could Lay down 600 rounds per minute Used in nests and bunkers Tended to be grouped like artillery

Poison Gas First Time Use on the Battlefield Created a Horrific results and effects Hard to employ in battle Became Illegal by Geneva Convention after the War

Trench Warfare Both Armies dug in for a long War Restricts both movement and advancements “No man’s land” “Going over the Top” Counter Attacks (Prelude…Siege of St. Petersburg, VA)

Tanks Rhombus shaped Very Slow Had either machine guns or cannons Vulnerable to war hazards and engineers Who came up with the idea? Da Vinci

Naval Warfare British Dreadnaughts Rules the Seas German counter act with U-Boats First time submarines are used in Warfare Germans use unrestricted submarine warfare

New Technology in War Telegraph Gas Masks Aviation Railways Anti-Aircraft Guns Zeppelins and Blimps