Europe Plunges Into War Chapter 26 Part 1

Introduction Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war against Serbia set off a chain reaction within the alliance system. The countries of Europe followed through on their pledges to support one another. As a result, nearly all of Europe soon joined what would be the largest, most destructive war the world had yet seen.

The Great War Begins July 31, 1914: Russia announces full mobilization of its armed forces. August 1, 1914: Germany, taking Russia’s mobilization as a defacto declaration of war, declares war on Russia. August 3, 1914: Germany declares war on France. August 4, 1914: Germany declares war on neutral Belgium and invades in a right flanking move designed to defeat France quickly. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany.

The Great War Begins Nations Take Sides By mid-August 1914, there are two sides at war throughout Europe: Central Powers—Germany, Austria-Hungary; later joined by Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire Allies—Great Britain, France, Russia; later joined by Japan, Italy (once a member of the Triple Alliance, but switched sides because Italians believed the war was unjustly started)

A Bloody Stalemate As the summer of 1914 turned to fall, the war turned into a long and bloody stalemate, or deadlock, along the battlefields of France. This deadlocked region in northern France became known as the Western Front.

The Conflict Grinds Along The Schlieffen Plan Called for attacking and defeating France in the west and then rushing east to fight Russia. Counted on the slow mobilization of Russian forces due to lack of railways. Called for 39 days for the fall of Paris, and 42 days for the defeat of France. General Alfred Graf von Schlieffen

The Conflict Grinds Along (continued) By early September Germany had swept into France and reached the outskirts of Paris September 5, 1914—At the First Battle of the Marne, Germany is forced to retreat. With this defeat the Schlieffen Plan failed because Germany was then forced to fight a two front war.

War in the Trenches Conflict descends into trench warfare—armies fighting from trenches. Battles result in many deaths and very small land gains. Life in trenches is miserable, difficult, unsanitary. New weapons only lead to more deaths. The slaughter reached a peak in 1916. February 1916: Battle of Verdun—Each side lost more than 300,000. July-November 1916: The Somme—Each side suffered more than 500,000 casualties. Only 5 miles were gained in each of these battles.

New Weapons of the War Poison Gas Machine gun Tank Submarine (U-Boat) chlorine and phosgene—both toxic substances that caused suffocation mustard gas—a blistering agent that caused severe burns and blisters on the skin and stripped severely damaged the lungs. It sometimes took five weeks to die from mustard gas exposure. Machine gun Tank Submarine (U-Boat) Airplanes

Troops in the trenches equipped with gas masks, Battle of Ypres, 1917

Mustard gas burns from World War I

The British Vickers machine gun required a six man team to operate The British Vickers machine gun required a six man team to operate. One to fire, one to feed the ammunition, and the rest to help carry the weapon and supplies.

British Mark I tank on September 26, 1916

Submarines: German U-Boat U-14

Flying Aces Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918) was a German fighter pilot known as the "Red Baron". He was the most successful flying ace of World War I, being officially credited with 80 confirmed air combat victories. He was killed in combat with Canadian pilots near the Somme River.

The Battle on the Eastern Front Early Fighting Eastern Front—site of main fighting along the German-Russian border. Russians push into Austria and Germany, but soon forced to retreat. Russia Struggles Russia’s war effort was suffering by 1916; many casualties and few supplies. The huge size of Russian army keeps it a formidable force and prevents Germany from sending more troops to the Western Front.