Strategies of W.W. I

Strategies of WW I Propaganda War of Attrition Trench Warfare

Propaganda The spreading of ideas and information to promote a certain cause or to damage an opposing cause –used by governments to portray the enemy as evil or inhuman –used to gain support for war effort (recruitment & financial) –stories were often greatly exaggerated or made up

German Atrocities in Belgium

Recruitment Posters

Financing the War

War of Attrition Each side tries to wear down the other side by constant attacks Battle of Verdun (German offensive) Battle of Somme (Br. & Fr.)

Trench Warfare Used mostly on the western front –dug in a zigzag formation so a blast would be confined to a small area –stretched from the Swiss frontier to the English Channel (over 400 miles) No Man’s Land was the area in between opposing trenches

Inside the Trenches

Trench Warfare “No Man’s Land”

Technology of Modern Warfare

Heavy Artillery Used prior to the attack Damaged men’s brains and made their ears bleed Could shell enemy lines from 10 miles away “Big Bertha”

Machine Gun Fired 600 bullets per minute Made it impossible to cross no man’s land

Poison Gas It was an uncertain weapon because of shifting winds Blinded or choked victims Caused burns and blisters

Flame Throwers Grenade Launchers

Armored Tank Did little to break the stalemate Moved slowly and often broke down

Zeppelins Used by Germany to bomb the British coast

Airplanes Used mainly for observation Flying aces battled in dog fights “The Red Barron”

Submarines German U-Boats roamed the Atlantic Merchant and Allied Ships were attacked Allies organized convoys to combat attacks

Allied Ships sunk by German U-Boats

The Cost of Modern Technology Causalities of WW I