Causes, Weapons, and Tactics of World War I The “isms,” guns, gas, and guts

Alliances In order to provide safety for their citizens, leaders chose to enter into alliances with other countries When an ally went to war, you were obligated to as well Triple Alliance (AKA Central Powers) Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (until 1915) Triple Entente (AKA Allies) Britain, France, Russia (until 1917), US (starting in 1917) In order to provide safety for their citizens, leaders chose to enter into alliances with other countries When an ally went to war, you were obligated to as well Triple Alliance (AKA Central Powers) Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (until 1915) Triple Entente (AKA Allies) Britain, France, Russia (until 1917), US (starting in 1917)

Militarism New weapons led to build up of militaries Russia - largest in the world, but very outdated Germany - most powerful and modern army of all Britain - most powerful navy in the world New weapons led to build up of militaries Russia - largest in the world, but very outdated Germany - most powerful and modern army of all Britain - most powerful navy in the world

Nationalism Belief of many countries that they can do no wrong Results from propaganda spread by government and media (yellow journalism) Very dangerous as citizens do not think critically for themselves Belief of many countries that they can do no wrong Results from propaganda spread by government and media (yellow journalism) Very dangerous as citizens do not think critically for themselves

Imperialism Belief that getting new lands around the globe adds resources and power Conflicts arise as European nations fight for position in Asia and Africa Belief that getting new lands around the globe adds resources and power Conflicts arise as European nations fight for position in Asia and Africa

Short Term Cause - “The Lighting of the Power Keg” Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria- Hungary

Assassination Starts Trouble Slavs in Austria-Hungary want freedom (nationalism) Slavs are allied with Serbia (alliances) Gavrilo Princip, a member of the terrorist organization called the Black Hand, shoots and kills the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Bosnia Austria-Hungary immediately declares war on Serbia Slavs in Austria-Hungary want freedom (nationalism) Slavs are allied with Serbia (alliances) Gavrilo Princip, a member of the terrorist organization called the Black Hand, shoots and kills the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Bosnia Austria-Hungary immediately declares war on Serbia

Technology of WWI Considered the “First Modern War” Considered the “First Modern War”

Rifles Much more accurate and could shoot farther

Poison Gas First used by the Germans and later by Allies A way to combat trench warfare Heavier than air to sink into trenches Burned eyes and/or lungs Gas masks began to be used. First used by the Germans and later by Allies A way to combat trench warfare Heavier than air to sink into trenches Burned eyes and/or lungs Gas masks began to be used.

Trench Warfare Trenches were dug to hide in 6 to 8 feet deep, they filled with water in rain Men lived in trenches for months or years without leaving them Boredom and terror were two most common states Stalemate - no movement No Man’s Land - area between trenches was cleared with flamethrowers and guarded with barbed wire Trenches were dug to hide in 6 to 8 feet deep, they filled with water in rain Men lived in trenches for months or years without leaving them Boredom and terror were two most common states Stalemate - no movement No Man’s Land - area between trenches was cleared with flamethrowers and guarded with barbed wire

Machine Guns Capable of shooting 300 rounds (bullets) per minute consistently Did the work of 80 rifles with a crew of four Very heavy (140 lbs), jammed a lot, and overheated before becoming water cooled by end of war. Placed on trenches, they stopped troop movements Capable of shooting 300 rounds (bullets) per minute consistently Did the work of 80 rifles with a crew of four Very heavy (140 lbs), jammed a lot, and overheated before becoming water cooled by end of war. Placed on trenches, they stopped troop movements

Tanks In 1916, these creations began to be used by the French Germans quickly created some as well Soldiers were able to hide behind them Had troubles with getting stuck in trenches In 1916, these creations began to be used by the French Germans quickly created some as well Soldiers were able to hide behind them Had troubles with getting stuck in trenches

Airplanes Used primarily to scout enemy lines Could be used to drop explosives Had machine guns mounted above wings Dogfight - air to air fighting between planes Famous pilots Baron von Richtofen (Germany)- “Red Baron” Eddie Rickenbacker (American flying for France) Used primarily to scout enemy lines Could be used to drop explosives Had machine guns mounted above wings Dogfight - air to air fighting between planes Famous pilots Baron von Richtofen (Germany)- “Red Baron” Eddie Rickenbacker (American flying for France)

Zeppelins Also known as blimps Used to glide over cities and drop bombs Very slow but few guns could shoot them down Also known as blimps Used to glide over cities and drop bombs Very slow but few guns could shoot them down

U-Boats German submarines that wreaked havoc with the Allies Snuck up on prey without warning and fired torpedoes Cannot be defended when surfaced, but cannot see what target is when submerged German submarines that wreaked havoc with the Allies Snuck up on prey without warning and fired torpedoes Cannot be defended when surfaced, but cannot see what target is when submerged

Your Task: Due Next Block! Write a letter from the western front in WWI describing what life is like in the trenches. Ideas you might wish to include: Weapons, injuries, food, living conditions, gangrene, emotions, and relationships Write a letter from the western front in WWI describing what life is like in the trenches. Ideas you might wish to include: Weapons, injuries, food, living conditions, gangrene, emotions, and relationships