WWI

Just the facts WHO: Many countries in Europe WHAT: A war WHERE: Europe WHEN: 1914-1918 WHY: Countries in Europe were feeling nervous other countries would attack them, so they formed alliances for protection. Once one attack occurred, the war began

Alliance An agreement between nations to defend one another If one country is attacked, the other members of the alliance promise to help them. For example: France and Italy have an alliance. If France is attacked, Italy will _____________!

How it began… Austria-Hungary controlled land in Serbia Serbia thought they owned the land A Serbian man killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand from Austria-Hungary (who was to be king of Austria-Hungary) Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

Who were in the alliances in Europe?

WWI Allied Powers Central Powers Serbia Russia France Belgium Great Britain Austria-Hungary Germany Have students read page 274

What about the United States? Woodrow Wilson (President of the U.S.) decided isolationism was the best option (we were not going to get involved)

However… Germany attacked and sunk the British ship the Lusitania (The U.S. did not agree with this) Germany sent a telegram to Mexico asking them to join the Central Powers-in return, Germany would help Mexico get back land from the U.S. Germany sank 3 U.S. ships

As a result… The United States joined WWI (as an Allied Power), declaring war against the Central Powers Allied Powers Central Powers Serbia Russia France Belgium Great Britain United States Austria-Hungary Germany

New Technology Trench Warfare- Soldiers on each side dug a system of trenches that faced each other. Barbed wire fences protected the front of each trench. No-man’s land was the land between the trenches the no one controlled. The soldiers ate and slept in the trenches which were often filled with rats and water Have students draw a picture of trench warfare

New Technology Poisonous Gas Gas masks (to protect from poisonous gas) Airplanes (used to drop bombs) Machine Gun Tanks

Back in the United States… Cause: Men were fighting, so there were less people to produce food Effect: War Gardens were created Cause: Men were fighting, so there were less people to work in factories Effect: Women worked in factories Cause: Men were needed to fight in the war Effect: Propaganda posters were used to encourage men to enlist

What’s the message?

The war ends… With help from the U.S., the Allied Powers are able to defeat the Central Powers. The Central Powers surrender on November 11, 1918

Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles officially ended WWI Germany was forced to pay heavy fines for their actions The League of Nations was created Goal: to prevent future wars