WORLD WAR I

Why do people go to War?  Write one reason why people go to war and hand it in on a scrap piece of paper.  What are some fundamental reasons for World War I?

I. Taking Sides- The Power of Alliances A.Germany wanted to protect itself from being isolated by France and Russia. B.Otto von Bismarck worked out alliances to make sure Germany was safe from France.  He made deals with Russia and Austria-Hungary. When they could not get along, Russia pulled out, but still said they would be neutral if Germany went to war with France.

C. Germany builds the Triple Alliance 1. Germany 2. Italy 3. Austria-Hungary

II.More Alliances  Trying to avoid being isolated, France bails out Russia financially and forms a military alliance with them.  Germany is concerned facing enemies on two fronts and builds up military.  Great Britain is concerned about Germany’s naval build up.

A. Mostly out of Fear of the Triple Alliance another alliance forms B. The Triple Entente 1. France 2. Great Britain 3. Russia

Serbia  Gained independence from the Ottoman Empire (Turkey)  Wanted Bosnia-Herzegovina so they could have access to the Adriatic Sea  These two territories were protectorates of Austria-Hungary  Austria-Hungary then annexed B&H and this really upset Serbia

Russia  Is a Slavic nation and supports other Slav nations like Serbia  There was a nationalist movement to combine all Slavic nations under Russia  This gave Britain concern—Russia would have access to the Balkan Peninsula and therefore the Mediterranean Sea.

Germany  Instead of fueling the British/Russia argument, Germany tries to bring the Ottoman Empire into the Triple Alliance.  Both Great Britain and Russia think this is a bad idea. Instead of being rivals, the two countries become more united.

III. Immediate Cause of War A. The Assassination of Austria-Hungary’s heir, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo- capital of B&H B. Gavrilo Princip a Serbian nationalist shoots them as they drive in an open car. C. Austria-Hungary vows to make Serbia pay and issues an ultimatum D. Serbian government rejects it and Europe mobilizes towards war.

 6 July, 1914 The 'Blank Check'  After Sarajevo, Count Leopold von Berchtold, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, drew up a letter for the Emperor Francis Joseph to sign and send to Wilhelm II to try and convince both of Serbia's responsibility. On July 6th, Wilhelm II and his Imperial Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, telegrammed Berchtold that Austria-Hungary could rely that Germany would support whatever action was necessary to deal with Serbia -- in effect offering von Berchtold a 'blank check.' Telegram from the Imperial Chancellor, von Bethmann-Hollweg, to the German Ambassador at Vienna. Tschirschky, July 6, 1914  Berlin, July 6, 1914  Confidential. For Your Excellency's personal information and guidance  The Austro-Hungarian Ambassador yesterday delivered to the Emperor a confidential personal letter from the Emperor Francis Joseph, which depicts the present situation from the Austro-Hungarian point of view, and describes the measures which Vienna has in view. A copy is now being forwarded to Your Excellency.  I replied to Count Szagyeny today on behalf of His Majesty that His Majesty sends his thanks to the Emperor Francis Joseph for his letter and would soon answer it personally. In the meantime His Majesty desires to say that he is not blind to the danger which threatens Austria-Hungary and thus the Triple Alliance as a result of the Russian and Serbian Pan-Slavic agitation. Even though His Majesty is known to feel no unqualified confidence in Bulgaria and her ruler, and naturally inclines more to ward our old ally Rumania and her Hohenzollern prince, yet he quite understands that the Emperor Francis Joseph, in view of the attitude of Rumania and of the danger of a new Balkan alliance aimed directly at the Danube Monarchy, is anxious to bring about an understanding between Bulgaria and the Triple alliance [...]. His Majesty will, further more, make an effort at Bucharest, according to the wishes of the Emperor Francis Joseph, to influence King Carol to the fulfilment of the duties of his alliance, to the renunciation of Serbia, and to the suppression of the Rumanian agitations directed against Austria-Hungary.  Finally, as far as concerns Serbia, His Majesty, of course, cannot interfere in the dispute now going on between Austria-Hungary and that country, as it is a matter not within his competence. The Emperor Francis Joseph may, however, rest assured that His Majesty will faithfully stand by Austria-Hungary, as is required by the obligations of his alliance and of his ancient friendship.  BETHMANN-HOLLWEG

Mobilization  Read pgs on Who enters War vs. Who.

IV. Who is at War A. Central Powers 1. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire 2. Strengths: German Army and land stretching from N to S. B. Allied Powers 1. Great Britain, France, Russia?, Italy, Japan, Serbia, Romania, Belgium, Eventually the U.S. 2. More Soldiers, British Navy, Greater industry

V. Industrialized War A. Thanks to mass production and the Industrial Revolution, we have many new advancements in weaponry. 1. U-Boats, Long Range Artillery, Machine Guns, Tanks, Airplanes, Poison Gas 2. Prior to WWI, most soldiers were professional. For WWI, Men were drafted.

B. Western Front 1. German was to execute The Schlieffen Plan. Schlieffen argued that if war took place it was vital that France was speedily defeated. If this happened, Britain and Russia would be unwilling to carry on fighting. Schlieffen calculated that it would take Russia six weeks to organize its large army for an attack on Germany. Therefore, it was vitally important to force France to surrender before Russia was ready to use all its forces. Germany wanted to end the war quickly by attacking though Belgium and taking out France.

Western Front Continued 2. When Germany attacked in the West, they were held up by the Belgium army and were shocked by how quickly Britain came to aid France.

Western Front Continued 3. France won at the Battle of the Marne and it changed the nature of the war. 4. War on the Western Front became an entrenched war. Realities_of_War__The_ Trenches__Weapons __and_Death.asf atch?v=Jlf---13Q0g

C. Eastern Front 1. Eastern Front was more wide open 2. Germany attacked into Russia and defeated the Russians at the Battle of Tannenberg. 3. Russia lost half its men and Germany moved into Russian Poland. “By the time the battle ended on 30 August, Samsonov's Second Army was destroyed, with 95,000 Russian troops captured, another 30,000 killed or wounded, and only 10,000 (mostly from the retreating flanks) escaping. The Germans suffered fewer than 20,000 casualties and captured over 500 guns. Sixty trains were required to transport captured Russian equipment to Germany.30 August Rather than report the loss of his army to Tsar Nicholas II, Samsonov committed suicide by shooting himself in the head on 29 August 1914.”Tsar Nicholas II29 August 1914

VI. U.S. enters the War A. US traded with both sides B. Sinking of the Lusitania C. Zimmerman Telegram D. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare E. Russia overthrows the Czar becoming a more appealing ally

F. Propaganda 1. Selected pieces of information (both true and false) used by the government to support the war effort. ayes-Over_There.html ayes-Over_There.html G. WW1throughPostersAndCartoons.pptx WW1throughPostersAndCartoons.pptx H. US declares War April 6 th, 1917 against Germany.

See Russian Revolution PPT  Russian Revolution Russian Revolution

VII. Defeat of Central Powers A. With Russia out, Germany can focus all troops on the Western Front B. Germans again reached the Marne River, but by this time, US soldiers were arriving in France. C. The Allies stop the Germans at Chateau-Thierry and push Germans back to their own border. D. On November 11 th, 1918, Germany signed an armistice to stop the fighting.

Wilson’s 14 Points  Hand out worksheet. Use pages to answer questions.