“The Great War” World War I
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Balkan Nationalism Decline of the Ottoman Empire “Yugoslav”-ism Fears of Austria-Hungary
Mobilization Russia Mobilization Schlieffen Plan Britain and Belgium
Alliance System German fears French fears Triple Alliance and Triple Entente
Militarism National armies Naval arms race
“World” war? Africa ANZAC East Asia India Middle East
Technology and Tactics Trench Warfare New tools of war
Total War Conscription Rationing Propaganda
Propaganda
Russian Revolution
Uncle Sam Cultural and economic ties to the Allies Unrestricted submarine warfare
Armistice “Backstabbing” myth
Coach Lerch’s Final Thoughts World War I was the culmination of the major developments of 19th century Europe (Nationalism, Industrialism, Imperialism) It was also an important factor in many of the key events of the 20th century (Communist Revolutions, Colonial Nationalism, WWII, and more)