At the end of this lesson you will be able to:  Identify several new weapons and technological improvements developed during World War I  Predict the actions of the United States in response to the war in Europe  Compare and contrast weapons that are used today with those from WWI  Hypothesize an outcome for the war based on the new technology used by each side

World War I A new kind of warfare for a global conflict

Review A World Wide Struggle Central Powers  Germany  Austria-Hungary  Bulgaria  Ottoman Empire Allied Powers  Great Britain  France  Russia  Serbia  Italy  Japan (32 in total)

Technological Developments Changed the Nature of Modern Warfare  Due to industrialization weapons were mass produced  New weapons never tried before were used for the first time

Machine Guns  In 1914 machine guns were required to rest on a tripod and needed 4-6 men to operate it but it could fire rounds a minute.

Machine Guns  By the end of the war a machine gun could fire twice as much and could be used by 1-2 men.

Submarines  German U-boats - attack 1) allied warships and 2) allied shipping boats.  May 7, 1915 Sinking of the Lusitania off the coast of Ireland killing 1,109 people (124 were Americans). The Lusitania was a passenger liner but on the day it was sunk it had ammunitions and 12 six inch guns.  Did the Germans have the right to attack?

British Blockades in North Sea  Mission – to prevent ships from reaching Germany in an attempt to ruin their economy and starve the people.  German Reaction – Use U-boats to sink ships carrying food and guns to Britain.  Battle of Jutland – Fought in North Sea on 5/31/1916 – Germans wanted to destroy portion of Britain’s navy & blockade, Britain wanted to keep German navy away from their shipping lanes.

WWI Propaganda

The Zeppelin  These airships were used as bombers in WWI by the Germans. At first they were successful because they could outrun airplanes.  Their great weakness was their vulnerability to gunfire.

Chemical Weapons  Germans were the first to use poisonous gas made up of chlorine which would cause choking and even death.  The French used tear gas in grenades (riot control)  Mustard gas was first used during WWI and was responsible for about 70% of the million-plus gas casualties. Effects - burn any body-tissue which it touches. Effects - burn any body-tissue which it touches.

 By the end of the war devices were invented to protect the soldiers  However, more than a million died as a result of chemical weapons

Airplanes  Were used for the first time in WWI  Mostly used for observing troop movements b/c they were slow  Eventually machine guns were added to them so they could join in the fighting

Tanks  Britain created the first tank – an armored vehicle with machine guns and cannons on it.  Made it safer to advance and kill enemy.  Travel was easier through rough terrain

 1916  1917

Trench Warfare  Trenches were used by both sides as a way to fight the enemy advancing into unwanted territory

 What do you see?

Two Fronts of WWI  Western Front –A series of trenches that ran from the North Sea to the Swiss border (map 517)  Germany was to the East and the Allies to the West.  Eastern Front – fighting that occurred from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea (map 515)  Much longer than the Western Front so trenches were not as developed

Average Year for British Soldier  15% - on the front line (where the fighting occurs)  10% - on the support line (ready to support the front line)  30% - on reserve line  20% - rest  25% - other (hospital, traveling, leave, training courses, etc.)

New & Modern Weapons  Machine Guns  Navy Battleships Battleships U-boats U-boats  Zeppelin  Tanks  Airplane  Mustard Gas  Trench War – strategy was to defend position while attacking enemy  No Man’s Land –  Attrition – wear down enemy’s resources so they can no longer fight war

The U.S. Enters WWI

 Policy of Neutrality  Woodrow Wilson President at beginning of WWI  He and most Americans believed WWI was a European issue – no reason to get involved.  America is a country of immigrants – many have relatives living in Europe. What does this mean?  U.S. business traded with both sides – very good for U.S. economy

 Use of Propaganda  Great Britain used propaganda to make the Germans look bad (i.e. U- boats attacking defenseless civilians)  U.S. also had government agency that controlled the news of the War.

 Zimmerman Note  Zimmerman was a German official who sent a telegram to the German ambassador in Mexico  This proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico  If Mexico joins WWI on the side of Germany they would help Mexico regain Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.  Predict American response?

 April 6, 1917 Congress votes to declare war on Germany.  President Wilson declares, “The world must be made safe for democracy.”