The Great War

What lingering issues remain from last era? German-French rivalry Nationalism in Austria-Hungary Nationalism in Ottoman Empire Russia on the verge of revolt

Causes 1.) Alliance system Triple Alliance Triple Entente Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary (1882) Central Powers Triple Entente France, Britain, Russia Allies

Causes 2.) Competition and Militarism Economic Militarism Germany a powerhouse (scared Britain) Germany obtaining overseas holdings Russia is huge (scared Germany) Militarism Glorification of military Arms race Competition to build up armies and navies

Nationalism France hated Germany Wanted Alsace and Lorraine back Russia sponsored Slavs against Austria-Hungary Threatened A-H and Ottomans Balkans were a “powder keg”

The Start (spark) Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to A-H throne) assassinated by Serbs (June 28, 1914) A-H took opportunity to crush Serbia Delivered ultimatum (final set of demands) Must end all anti-Austria movements Punish any Serbian official responsible Austria part of investigation Serbia refused, A-H declared war (July 28, 1914)

Alliances Kick In Russia mobilized to back Serbia Germany declared war on Russia France declared war on Germany Back ally Russia Avenge Franco-Prussian War

Britain declares war on Germany in response to invasion of Belgium Schlieffen Plan Defeat France quickly, then defeat Russia

Reaction to War Many rushed to enlist (Ended domestic problems) Both sides thought they were making the world a better place Seemed very exciting (Nationalism!!) Expected “a splendid little war” “Home by Christmas!” (Ended domestic problems)

What were they getting into? New Kind of War Schlieffen Plan failed Russia mobilized quickly French and British held off German advance (Miracle of the Marne) Each side dug trenches Trench Warfare Two-Front War Stalemate

Trench Warfare “No Man’s Land”

New Technology Machine Gun Artillery Poison Gas (Germans first

Tanks (British first) Aircraft Zeppelins Gasoline powered biplanes

Submarines U-Boats Forced Allies to use convoys

What effect will this type of warfare have on the people?

A Multi-Front War

Multi-Front War Western Front France and Britain vs. Germany Complete stalemate Major battles First Marne Verdun Somme

The Western Front

Multi-Front War Eastern Front Russia vs. Germany and Austria-Hungary Russia lost at Tannenberg 1914 (stopped their advance) Much more mobile that Western front

Italy switched sides—joined Allies General stalemate, but disastrous loss at Caporetto British and French rescued them

Multi-Front War Middle East Ottomans join Central Powers Cut off shipping to Russia British and French attacked Gallipoli Campaign Incited revolts against Ottoman Turks Promised independence T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) Balfour Declaration

Winning the War A modern war required total war Channel all resources into war effort Conscription (“the draft”) – young men required to join war effort. Rationing Major borrowing

Women and the War Factories Agriculture Nurses Challenged idea that women can not handle demanding jobs Will give women the right to vote

1917 – Tides turn Russian Revolution takes off 1917 Russia signs Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918 Germany could concentrate on Western Front Balance of forces shifted again United States joined April 1917

Economic Warfare Britain blockaded German ports Germans used U-boats Confiscated contraband (also food and clothing) Germans used U-boats Sank Lusitania (1,200 dead, 128 Americans) Germany temporarily stopped

U. S. Declared War Why? Cultural ties Submarine warfare Financial? Submarine warfare Lusitania 1915 Desperate by 1917, resumed unrestricted sub warfare Zimmermann Telegram British intercepted telegram from German ambassador to Mexico Mexico encouraged to declare war on United States

Impact of US Fresh troops and supplies Financial aid Morale boost United States troops saw little combat 118,000

End of the War Austria Hungary and Ottomans near collapse (nationalist groups) Asked for peace Defeats purpose of Germany being in war (Second Battle of the Marne, 1918) Germans made a last ditch offensive Exhausted them Generals told Kaiser war could not be won Riots across Germany Kaiser stepped down

German generals told Kaiser war could not be won Riots across Germany Kaiser stepped down

Armistice New German government agreed to end war November 11, 1918 11:00 AM

Peace Costs of war Flu pandemic