World War I (1914-1918/19)

Unit Objectives Summarize the events of the war and their impact Compare and contrast WWII on the Western and Eastern Fronts Understand why trench warfare was a necessary evil

European expectations of the war as it started: 1.) Each side celebrated it as an opportunity to show their patriotism and nation’s strength and defend their nation’s honor (Nationalism) 2.) Each side expected a quick easy victory—No one was prepared for an evenly matched five-year war with so many casualties and war damage

U-Boat Warfare British navy was strongest in world, so Germany countered with “Unrestricted U-Boat Warfare” (This is an ID) USED SUBS TO TAKE OUT ANY ENEMY SHIP HEADED TO BRITAIN OR FRANCE; HIT SHIPS WITHOUT WARNING; HIT CARGO AND PASSENGER SHIPS Lusitania:   BRITISH PASSENGER SHIP WITH AMERICANS ON BOARD SUNK BY U-BOAT

Did any of this violate the rules of war?

Rules of War Take prisoners who are injured or surrendering Do not intentionally target civilians Do not intentionally target non-military ships that have no purpose in war (cruise ships) When sinking a cargo ship that may have a role in the war provide a warning so civilians can abandon ship—You want to destroy the cargo, not kill civilians Respect neutrality of other nations

What is the risk in violating rules?

Risk of violating Rules OTHER NATIONS MAY START DOING IT TO YOU

What was the German justification? U-Boats would give up their advantage if they gave away their position when providing a warning U-Boats were more vulnerable than battleships because if sunk they would go down and take entire crew with them Germany’s policy was that any ship flying the flag of or was trading with Britain or France was an enemy of Germany and a legitimate target

Trench Warfare (This is an ID): Western Front: Location in eastern France where fighting took place between France/Britain and Germany— fighting was very static Trench Warfare (This is an ID): LINE OF TRENCHES DUG INTO GROUND TO PROVIDE COVER FROM MACHINE GUNS; RESULTED FROM STALEMATE IN FIGHTING  

Eastern Front: Location in eastern Europe where Russians fought Germans/Austria-Hungary; Little or no trench warfare because the fighting was not as evenly matched as it was in the West (Germany won almost every battle)

WWI Battles Battle of Marne (1914): French counter-offensive after the invasion of France through Belgium that pushed German forces away from Paris and showed that the Schlieffen Plan had failed   Battle of Verdun (1916): German surprise attack on the French; One of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war; Germans won 10 miles of territory

Battle of the Somme (1916): British and French counter-attack that recaptured much of the land lost at the Battle of Marne; Also one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war; British introduced the tank with little short-term impact   Battle of the Argonne Forest (1917): U.S. forces held their position despite being surrounded by German forces—One of the factors that led to an Allied break through in the German line that led to victory