A WORLD CRISIS

The Great War Europe cared more about the archduke’s death than America did. In five weeks, war was declared…but not just because of this, but because of political factors

Causes of WWI Nationalism- Extreme pride or devotion that people feel for their country or culture. Nationalism led to a competition for power. The Balkans were fiercely fought for as the Ottoman Empire began to decay and the Austro-Hungarian Empire saw a possibility for expansion AHE moved in and annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Continued… The Serbs fought against the Austria- Hungry Empire and the Russians began to assist the Serbs in their efforts. Imperialism made counties desire more territory than in prior history. In places like Great Britain and France they had expanded to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia….Germany wanted the same….

Causes of WWI German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, wanted colonies for Germany as they provided more natural resources. They needed a strong Military Militarism- The policy of preparedness and building up weapons. Germany built a navy and took on the world’s strongest sea power- GB

Germany Grows Germans had the latest weapons of the times- machine gun and large artillery A Extremely strong Navy The Schlieffen Plan- A surprise invasion of France by passing through Belgium with a subsequent attack on Russia. GB, France, and Russia all began to bulk up too.

Alliances Allies are created to maintain peace…but they end up sending Europe into war. Triple Alliance- Germany, Austria Hungary, and Italy Triple Entente- Great Britain, France, and Russia Balance of Power- Each nation or alliance had equal strength. MAD

Remember that the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand exposed the flaws in this idea. After the first attack on Austria Hungary, Europe goes into war. Austria Hungary blamed Serbia's for Ferdinand’s murder and declared war. Russia had allied with the Slavs… Germany saw Russia’s joining as aggression so Germany joins in against Russia and Austria Hungary Then Germany declares war against Russia’s ally France

The Germans take Belgium 1914- Germany moved into Belgium, which was neutral ground, and attacked thinking the best strategy was surprise. However, Britain had allied with Belgium! So the attack made Britain join the war too.

THE SIDES OF THE WAR CENTRAL POWERS- Germany, Austria- Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire ALLIED POWERS- Great Britain, France, Russian 30 more nations soon joined, mostly on the side of the Allied Powers

At first the Schlieffen Plan worked well as Belgium had only 6 division compared to 36 German divisions. German’s Field Marshal said, “Our advance in Belgium is certainly brutal…all who get in the way must take the consequences.”

Germany VS France France stilled used the row and bayonet technique Germany had superior fire…Machine Guns. A well trained MG team could set up in 4 seconds. 1 machine gun could fire 600 bullets a minute Early on, 15,000 French died per day in battle.

The 1st Battle of the Marne September 7, 1914- Battle of the Marne- 2 million men fight. 250,000 die. France pushed Germany back by 40 miles The French were still not completely winning, but it gave Russia time to mobilize.

By late 1914, two massive systems of trenches stretches for 400 miles in Europe Page 234-235 Trench war is not new- It occurred during the American Civil War and in Asia. People lived in trenches trying to avoid Grenades, MG Fire, and exploding artillery shells.

Fighting in The Trenches. Chlorine Gas by Germans Masks worked well. The British used tanks, but many got stuck in the mud early on. Air Planes Why weren’t the new weapons effective in the Trenches? http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAss etId=149E5FF0-1775-48B7-B180- 2ECCE5ECF5C4&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US