The Human Costs of World War I (Ch. 13, Sec. 3-B)

What new ways to fight wars were introduced in WWI? Trench warfare led to bloody stalemate on Western Front (Schlieffen Plan) Long range artillery guns hurled shells for miles Machine guns fired rounds a minute Armored tanks became a staple of modern armies Poison gas was used by both sides Airplanes became important weapon of war

How did WWI affect the civilian population supporting the war effort? Congress gave President Wilson direct control of economy / War Industries Board Rising wages were undercut by rising food & housing costs / Large corporations made huge profits Victory gardens aided shipments of food to Allied troops Espionage & Sedition Acts targeted socialists & labor leaders

How did WWI affect the civilian population supporting the war effort? (cont’d) The Great Migration saw hundreds of thousands of Southern blacks move to cities in the North (and the West) Women’s efforts & support during the war helped lead to 19 th amendment (1920) A 1918 flu epidemic killed around 500,000 Americans & 30 million people worldwide

What were the total casualties of World War I? Central Powers mobilized around 22.8 million soldiers / Allies total was estimated at 42.2 million Central Powers had 15.4 million casualties (killed, wounded, & missing) for a casualty rate of 67% The Allied casualties (killed, wounded, & missing) were 22 million or 52% casualty rate Final war toll estimated at 22 million dead (over half civilians), 20 million wounded, 10 million left homeless, & a cost of $338 billion