Alliances Triple Alliance Triple Entente

There were 3 main fronts in the war: Western Front: In France Most of trench warfare took place here Most fighting took place between French and British on one side and Germans on the other. This led to a Stalemate on Western Front lasting until 1917. **Stalemate= Neither side could force the other into surrendering.

Eastern Front: Most fighting here was between the Germans and Russians with some involvement from Serbia and other nations trying to break free from imperial rule. Italian Front: Most fighting here included Italy alongside the French against Germany and Austro Hungary and the very countries it had allied itself with at the beginning of the war. Russia withdrew from the war in 1917 which had a major impact as Germany then focused on the Western Front with a stronger potential for victory!

The “Spark”

Assassination Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28th, 1914.

Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed in Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist group called the Black Hand who believed that Bosnia should belong to Serbia.

Domino Effect Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia. Germany pledged their support for Austria -Hungary. Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

Domino Effect Germany declares war on Russia. France pledges their support for Russia. Germany declares war on France. Germany invades Belgium on the way to France. Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany.

Allied Powers Central Powers World War I

Why was WWI a Stalemate? What’s a stalemate? Neither side can make a move to win. Machine gun. How did this change war? How was it fought before? Trench Warfare = “solution”. Millions die without gaining ground.

Prior to WWI: The Russian Revolution Russians were discontent over economic, political and social issues concerning high taxes, working conditions, and political rights. Czar (Tsar) Nicholas II was losing popular support and his authoritarianism which weakened his power. In 1917, this led to The Russian Revolution when Nicholas II was overthrown and he and his heirs were executed. As a result, Russia withdrew from the war, British and French defenses on the Western Front were crucial in final outcome of the war and the allies were needed.

The United States enters WWI: The U.S. entered the war the same year Russia withdrew. The U.S. had declared neutrality at the outbreak of The Great War but due to factors like the 1915 German U-boats sinking the of the British passenger ship, Lusitania, which brought American protests and the 1917 sinking of U.S. merchant ships, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany in April, 1917. The armistice of November 11, 1918 ended fighting between the Allies and the Central Powers.

What new weapons were used in WWI? Machine gun Poison gas Submarine Airplane Tank Why these weapons? Why now? INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION!!

What were the results? Germany surrendered. Allies impose Treaty of Versailles. ~ The Treaty of Versailles was a major peace treaty of WW1. ~ Wilson brought his 14 Point Plan to the peace conference at Versailles, France. ~Points within the 14 Point Plan was intended to undo M.A.N.I.A.

Casualties? Total troops mobilized by all countries in WW1 65,038,810 Total troops dead from all countries in WW1 8,556,315 Total troops wounded from all countries in WW1 21,219,452 Total missing or POWs 7,750,945

World War One - The Treaty of Versailles World War One ended at 11am on 11th November 1918. In 1919, Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson from the US met to discuss how Germany was to be made to pay for the damage world war one had caused. Wilson had devised a 14 point plan that he believed would bring stability to Europe.

Germany expected a treaty based on these fourteen points Germany expected a treaty based on these fourteen points. However, negotiations between the 'big four' Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson of America did not go smoothly. Wilson believed that his fourteen points was the only way to secure everlasting peace. The French however, wanted the defeated nations to be punished severely and believed Wilson's plan too lenient. European victors wanted to weaken Germany and enhance their own standing in the world. The Treaty of Versailles was structured to punish Germany and included the “War Guilt Clause” which was a feature to where Germany accepted responsibility for starting the war.

“The War Guilt Clause” German reparations Military restrictions such as limiting the army to 100,000 soldiers No Air Force or submarines Demilitarization of the Rhineland German territorial loss

But….The League of Nations was not successful because….. Very weak/Unstructured Not all of the major powers were members of the league U.S. chose not to join Germany and Russia were not allowed to join Japan and Italy withdrew The league had no authority/influence in international affairs Could not enforce