The Powder Keg IgnitesThe Powder Keg Ignites World War I began in Eastern Europe Crisis began with the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary Was visiting Bosnia but also home to many Serbs and Slavics Serbians were unhappy with the visit Viewed Austrians as foreign oppressors Serbian terrorist group known as the Black Hand carried out the assassination
Video of AssassinationVideo of Assassination
Assassination of ArchdukeAssassination of Archduke Archduke ignored warnings of anti-Austrian unrest in Sarajevo June 28, he and his wife were shot They were in an open car in Sarajevo
Austria Strikes BackAustria Strikes Back Government of Vienna saw assassination as an excuse to crush Serbia Germany was upset by the assassination Germany gave Austria the “blank check”- a promise of unconditional support no matter what the cost. Austria sent Serbia and ultimatum Tried to avoid the war Serbia was supposed to end all anti-Austrian agitation in punish the Serbians who were involved in the plot
The UltimatumThe Ultimatum Serbia agreed to most but not all the terms of the ultimatum July 28, Austria declared war on Serbia
The Alliances Kick InThe Alliances Kick In Carefully planned alliances kicked in when conflict arose. After Austria declared war, Serbia went running to its ally Russia Nicholas II asked William II to ask Austria to soften the demands, this failed Russia then began to mobilize- prepared troops for war August I- Germany responded by declaring war on Russia
The Alliances Kick InThe Alliances Kick In Russia went to its ally France France gave same kind of backing Germany did to Austria Germany demanded France stay out of the conflict Germany declared war on France
II. How It Began
A.The Balkans ( “ Powder Keg of Europe ” )
WAR
Germany Invades BelgiumGermany Invades Belgium Italy and Britain remained uncommitted Italy chose to remain neutral Neutrality- policy of supporting neither side in a war Schlieffan Plan Germany’s location presented itself as a two-front war (France in the west and Russia in the east) Schlieffan Plan was designed to avoid this issue Plan- attack France first because Russia was slow to industrialize
Schlieffan PlanSchlieffan Plan Goal: to surprise attack France by going through Belgian borders European countries signed a treaty to keep Belgium neutral Idea was to encircle and crush France’s army Germany invaded Belgium on August 3 rd When Germany went through Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany on August 4th
Section 2: A New Kind of War
Information about the Great War Great War was the largest conflict in history up to that time France mobilized 8.5 million men, Britain nearly 9 million, Russia 12 million, and Germany 11 million
Stalemate on the Western Front German forces fought their way through Belgium toward Paris Belgium tried to resist but German power was much too powerful
The Schlieffan Plan FailedThe Schlieffan Plan Failed Russia mobilized faster Russia won small victories over Germany Germany had to then fight a two front war (France and Russia) Battle of the Marne- ended Germany’s hope of a quick victory on the Western Front
The StalemateThe Stalemate Both sides dug deeper trenches to protect their armies Stalemate- a deadlock in which neither side is able to defeat the other Battle lines in France remained unchanged for 4 years
New TechnologyNew Technology Machine guns Artillery gun Poison Gas Trench Warfare Tanks Airplanes Submarines
B. Trench Warfare
1. Goals 2. Conditions 3. Success
German “U” BoatsGerman “U” Boats Damaged the Allied side Sank many ships going to Britain
The Eastern Front Battle of Tannenburg (August of 1914) Central Powers crush Russians (Poor supplies and leadership) who never were a threat again
War Around the WorldWar Around the World Ottoman Empire had a strategic location Ottomans joined the Central Powers Turkey cuts off Russia from the Dardanelles- a vital strait connecting the Black Sea ad the Mediterranean Turkey fought Russia
3 Front War3 Front War 3 rd Front- Middle East Arab nationalists led by Husayn ibn Ali declared a revolt against Ottoman Rule British sent T.E. Lawrence- Lawrence of Arabia- to support the Arab revolt
Section 3: Winning the WarSection 3: Winning the War
Waging Total WarWaging Total War Nations realized that a modern mechanized war required the channeling of a nation’s entire resources- total war To achieve total war- government took a stronger role Both sides set up systems to recruit, arm, transport, and supply armies that numbered in the millions
Conscription Britain imposed conscription- “the draft”- required all young men to be ready for military or other service Government raised taxes and borrowed huge among of money to pay the costs of war Countries rationed food and other products such as boots and gasoline