Western Front Schlieffen Plan failed Belgians resisted Russia mobilized more quickly than expected

First Battle of the Marne September 5-12, 1914 Culmination of German advance into France British & French push Germany back Allied victory Sets stage for trench warfare

Eastern Front Battle lines shifted back & forth over larger areas No trench warfare but higher casualties

The Eastern Front The Frozen Front Lack of food and clothing; 100’s froze to death daily Russia not industrialized was always short on food, clothing, weapons, and ammo Russia’s asset was its numbers Germany blockaded the Baltic Sea and the Ottoman Empire controlled the Black Sea

War Around the World Though most fighting took place in Europe, WWI was a global conflict Japan, allied with Britain, used war as excuse to seize German outposts in China & the Pacific

Balkans Bulgaria joined Central Powers Helped defeat Balkan rival, Serbia Romania joined Allies Hoped to gain some land in Hungary Crushed by Central Powers Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary & later Germany

Winning the War One country will leave One country will enter 1917 Europeans cracking under strain of war Morale was low Stalemate seemed unending One country will leave One country will enter

Lusitania May 1915, German submarine torpedoed British liner About 1200 killed 128 Americans Germans stopped unrestricted submarine warfare for the moment

USA Unrestricted submarine warfare stopped after Lusitania, 1915 Pressure from President Wilson 1917 Germans desperate Started again Wilson angrily denounces Germany 1917, British intercept telegram between German foreign minister Arthur Zimmermann to Mexico

Zimmermann Note

USA Declares War Brought much needed morale boost & financial aid April 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war 1918, about 2 million American soldiers join the Allied troops Wilson to Congress, “We have no selfish ends to serve-” “to make the world safe for democracy” “War to end all Wars” Brought much needed morale boost & financial aid

Total War Nations entire resources going into the war effort. Governments took stronger role in directing economic and cultural lives of people

Total War Conscription Germany Governments raised taxes “The draft” All warring nations Germany Forced civilian labor Governments raised taxes Rationed food, boots, gasoline, etc. Forbade strikes

Total War International law allows wartime blockades to stop contraband. However, British navy formed blockade in the North Sea and blocked everything Germans retaliate Unrestricted submarine Warfare