Warm Up What were the causes of WWI? What are the cons of alliances? Why did the US get pulled into WWI? How did Wilson convince Americans that the war was a good cause?

World War I: Battles & Technology EQ: How was WWI fought? Explain how changes brought about by technology and other innovations affected individuals and groups in North Carolina and the United States.

(Triple Alliance)Central Powers COMBATANTS OF WWI (Triple Alliance)Central Powers (Triple Entente)Allied Powers World War I Russia France Great Britain United States (1917) Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire (Later Bulgaria)

Why was WWI a Stalemate? What’s a stalemate? Neither side can make a move to win Both sides of the war threw arms and troops in to win but………… Millions die without gaining ground. WHY?

Precursor to Battle of Verdun After two years of warfare, Germans realize they can’t break through the Allied lines in France. German General Falkenhayn proposes a war of attrition against the French Army. A war of attrition is about killing more people than you lose. Attack a position the French can’t afford to lose Kill as many French troops as possible

The Battle of Verdun February 21, 1916 – December 18, 1916 One of the most costly battles of WWI. Germans attempt to conquer key French city of Verdun. Would have opened Paris up to invasion.

New Tactics Germans attack with flame throwers for the first time. Flame throwers used to clear French out of trenches German troops begin attack with grenades instead of rifles Manage to move forward three miles in a day. New types of poison gas introduced by Germans.

Results French Casualties German Casualties 550,000 dead German Casualties 434,000 dead British begin battle of the Somme to relieve French army at Verdun. Neither French or German army gains a real advantage.

Significance French hold Verdun thanks to forts Convinced that a system of fixed heavy forts is the best defense WWI becomes a war of attrition. Armies fight lengthy battles, with very high casualties.

Trench Warfare Trench Warfare – type of fighting during World War I in which both sides dug trenches protected by mines and barbed wire Trenches were dug from English Channel to Switzerland 6,250 miles 6 to 8 feet deep Immobilized both sides for 4 years

Myth

Reality

THE TRENCH SYSTEM 1st: No Man’s Land 2nd: Barbed wire, mines, etc. Layout: 1st: No Man’s Land 2nd: Barbed wire, mines, etc. 3rd: Front line 4th: Communication trench 5th: Support trenches

LIFE IN THE TRENCHES Boredom Elaborate systems of defense barbed wire Concrete machine gun nests Mortar batteries Troops lived in holes underground Boredom Soldiers read to pass the time Sarah Bernhardt came out to the front to read poetry to the soldiers

WWI WEAPONRY The countries fighting grew more and more desperate to break the stalemate. The war of attrition led to more terrifying ways to kill humans

What new weapons were used in WWI? Machine gun Poison gas (Mustard gas) Carried by the wind Burned out soldier’s lungs Deadly in the trenches where it would sit at the bottom Submarine Airplane Tank Hand grenades Flame Throwers Why these weapons? Why now? INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION!!!

Poisonous Gas Poisonous gasses like mustard gas used by both sides. Fired by artillery into opposing lines. Hundreds of thousands die due to exposure.

German submarines, called U-boats, torpedoed enemy ships and neutral ships trading with the enemy.

German U-Boat torpedoes a British ship

Wrap-up Why was a “war of attrition” used during WWI? How did changes in military technology change the way wars are fought? What effect might this war have on soldiers who survive the war?