World War I World War I 7 th Grade Social Studies Harold E. Winkler Middle School 7 th Grade Social Studies Harold E. Winkler Middle School

Review:  We have discussed the causes of World War I:  Militarism  Alliances  Imperialism  Nationalism  …and the “spark that ignited the bomb”… – The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914.

“ The War of the Industrial Revolution ” : New Technology

New Technology: Guns  By the end of 1914, all of Europe was engaged in conflict.  The German plan against France was to strike France as fast as possible through the small country of Belgium.  The invention of the machine gun halted the plan… it was used by both sides and allowed the French to fend off the strong German attack. 4:35

New Technology: Tanks  Tanks were first used by the British in defense of machine guns.  Only flamethrowers and well thrown grenades could disable the tank.

New Technology: Flame Throwers & Grenade Launchers This brutal piece of weaponry could annihilate an entire trench and wipe out a solider brigade.

Germany’s “Big Bertha” Gun

New Technology: Chemical Weapons  WWI was the first major war to use chemical weapons.  Chlorine and Mustard Gas were the two post popular chemical weapons.  They caused suffocation, blindness, and death.  Soldiers would protect themselves using gas masks.

Young Indiana Jones – World War I Gas Scene 3:59

Mustard Gas Burns

New Technology: The Airplane  Both sides used aircraft for spying, some bombing and air battles.  Airplanes were slow, clumsy, and unreliable.  The most famous of pilots was the German – Red Baron and American – Eddie Rickenbacher

The Flying Aces of World War I Eddie Rickenbacher, US Francesco Barraco, It. Rene Pauk Fonck, Fr. Manfred von Richtoffen, Ger. [The “Red Baron”] Willy Coppens de Holthust, Belg. Eddie “Mick” Mannoch, Br. 2:53

New Technology: U- Boats/Submarines  Submarines were used by both sides to destroy navy fleets.  Would cause destruction to trade.  Germany used “unrestricted submarine warfare”, to destroy all ships against the German war effort.

The Western Front & Trench Warfare

 The most important battles fought in France, along the Western Front.  Both sides dug long trenches that faced each other.  The land between the trenches was known as “No Man’s Land”.  Trench warfare was brutal and long. The Western Front

Trench Warfare

 Soldiers had very little food that was edible.  Food was often attacked by rats.  The rats were huge because they fed on decomposing bodies! Trench Warfare 3:04

Trench Warfare

 Trench life was brutal!  Poisonous gas caused blindness or lifelong nervous system and/or lung problems.  Soldiers had emotional collapses also known as… “Shell Shock”.  Soldiers feet standing in dirty water in the trenches led to TRENCH FOOT!

Horrible Histories: Winter in the Trenches & Food 4:13

Results of World War I  Allies Powers victory on November 11, 1918: – “…on the 11 th hour, of the 11 th day, of the 11 th month.” – Also known as Armistice Day.  Casualties:  10 million people dead.  Political Results:  Rise of the United States as a super power.  New countries created throughout Europe.  “Unfair” Treaty of Versailles (1918).  Forming of the League of the League Nations.

Brain Pop – World War I