World History Chapter 17- World War I Section 3- The War

 Major Powers at War Central Powers: Germany, Austria- Hungary, Ottoman Empire & Bulgaria. Central Powers: Germany, Austria- Hungary, Ottoman Empire & Bulgaria. Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, Belgium. Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, Belgium. Italy neutral- viewed actions by Austria-Hungary & Germany aggressive not defensive. Italy neutral- viewed actions by Austria-Hungary & Germany aggressive not defensive. Europeans felt war would not last long. Europeans felt war would not last long.

 Schlieffen Plan Germany’s invasion of Belgium part of Schlieffen Plan. Plan- war strategy of German General Alfred von Schlieffen. Germany’s invasion of Belgium part of Schlieffen Plan. Plan- war strategy of German General Alfred von Schlieffen. Germany had enemies east & west. Schlieffen assumed Russia slow to mobilize. Believed Germany would defeat France in 6 weeks/ fight Russia. Germany had enemies east & west. Schlieffen assumed Russia slow to mobilize. Believed Germany would defeat France in 6 weeks/ fight Russia. Germans encounter resistance in Belgium -heavily fortified. Germans encounter resistance in Belgium -heavily fortified. Russia mobilizes quicker & Germans sent 2 divisions to eastern front. Russia mobilizes quicker & Germans sent 2 divisions to eastern front. Germans encounter British in France. British retreat but inflicts heavy damages. Germans encounter British in France. British retreat but inflicts heavy damages. Germans fight French in Alsace-Lorraine. French delay German advance but offensive collapsed. Germans fight French in Alsace-Lorraine. French delay German advance but offensive collapsed.

 Battle of the Marne French Chief of Command, General Joffre, had troops to protect Paris. French Chief of Command, General Joffre, had troops to protect Paris. In Paris, General Galleni, strengthened army & launched counterattack. French sped troops by commandeered Parisian taxis. In Paris, General Galleni, strengthened army & launched counterattack. French sped troops by commandeered Parisian taxis. Sept 5, 1914: French & Germans fight in northeastern France in Battle of the Marne. French push Germans back 50 miles from Paris. Sept 5, 1914: French & Germans fight in northeastern France in Battle of the Marne. French push Germans back 50 miles from Paris. Germans hold much of industrialized France. Germans hold much of industrialized France. German retreat at Marne -abandonment of Schlieffen Plan, defeat not quick or easy. German retreat at Marne -abandonment of Schlieffen Plan, defeat not quick or easy.

 Russian Disaster Russia went to battle although not fully mobilized. Russia went to battle although not fully mobilized. Aug 13, 1914: Russia invaded East Prussia. Diverted German troops from attack against French & British. Aug 13, 1914: Russia invaded East Prussia. Diverted German troops from attack against French & British. Late Aug 1914: Russians encounter Germans at Tannenberg in present-day Poland. Late Aug 1914: Russians encounter Germans at Tannenberg in present-day Poland. Russians had disastrous defeat- army destroyed. 30,000 killed. 92,000 prisoners. Germans had 13,000 killed. Russians had disastrous defeat- army destroyed. 30,000 killed. 92,000 prisoners. Germans had 13,000 killed.

 Deadlock Germans do battles called “race to the sea” (North Sea). Advance to Dunkirk & Calais. Encounter British at Ypres in Belgium. Germans do battles called “race to the sea” (North Sea). Advance to Dunkirk & Calais. Encounter British at Ypres in Belgium. War front from Swiss border to North Sea. War front from Swiss border to North Sea. Nov war deadlocked. Nov war deadlocked. Belligerent, or warring nations increase number of civilians for war effort- guns, food, ammunition & medicines. Belligerent, or warring nations increase number of civilians for war effort- guns, food, ammunition & medicines. Propaganda (ideas/rumors harm opposing cause) employed. Portrayed enemy as horrible and should not make peace with them. Propaganda (ideas/rumors harm opposing cause) employed. Portrayed enemy as horrible and should not make peace with them.

 Trench Warfare 1915: Western front war of attrition- constant attacks to wear each other down. 1915: Western front war of attrition- constant attacks to wear each other down. Soldiers dug trenches for protection. Two parallel trenches, 500 miles long, went from Switzerland to North Sea. Soldiers dug trenches for protection. Two parallel trenches, 500 miles long, went from Switzerland to North Sea. Barbed wire and land mines in front of trenches. Barbed wire and land mines in front of trenches. Land separating trenches called “no-man’s land”. Soldiers crossed it and struck down by machine guns/heavy artillery. Land separating trenches called “no-man’s land”. Soldiers crossed it and struck down by machine guns/heavy artillery. Battle of Ypres Germans used poison gas (yellow-green chlorine gas). Caused blindness, choking, vomiting, torn lungs & death. Battle of Ypres Germans used poison gas (yellow-green chlorine gas). Caused blindness, choking, vomiting, torn lungs & death.

 Verdun & Somme 1916: War on Western Front still stalemated. 1916: War on Western Front still stalemated. Italy enters war on side of Allies. Did not gain much after battles with Austria-Hungary. Italy enters war on side of Allies. Did not gain much after battles with Austria-Hungary. Feb 1916: Germans surprise attack French at Verdun on Meuse River. French, under General Petain, held firm & Germans abandon attack. Feb 1916: Germans surprise attack French at Verdun on Meuse River. French, under General Petain, held firm & Germans abandon attack. Battle of Verdun one of bloodiest of the war. Battle of Verdun one of bloodiest of the war. Later in 1916: British & French attack Germans at Somme River Valley. Casualties: 500,000 Germans; 400,000 British; & 200,000 French. British introduced tank. Not effective- slow, clumsy & did not know to utilize them. Later in 1916: British & French attack Germans at Somme River Valley. Casualties: 500,000 Germans; 400,000 British; & 200,000 French. British introduced tank. Not effective- slow, clumsy & did not know to utilize them.

 Eastern Front Front in Russia more mobile than Western Front in France. Front in Russia more mobile than Western Front in France. Many battlefield changes. Neither side could gain a decisive victory. Many battlefield changes. Neither side could gain a decisive victory. 1915: Germany & Austria-Hungary concentrated on ousting Russia from war. 1915: Germany & Austria-Hungary concentrated on ousting Russia from war. Russia not highly industrialized to fight a modern war. Suffered great loss of territory & numerous casualties. Russia not highly industrialized to fight a modern war. Suffered great loss of territory & numerous casualties.

 Eastern Front con’t Allies promised Russia Constantinople & Dardanelles if Allies won. Russians rebuild army due this agreement. Allies promised Russia Constantinople & Dardanelles if Allies won. Russians rebuild army due this agreement. 1916: Russia fights Germany with little success. Fared better against Austria- Hungary- captured cities & took prisoners. 1916: Russia fights Germany with little success. Fared better against Austria- Hungary- captured cities & took prisoners. Russian efforts help Allies on Western Front as Germany sent forces from West to East- why Germany not successful at Verdun. Russian efforts help Allies on Western Front as Germany sent forces from West to East- why Germany not successful at Verdun.

 Gallipoli Campaign Winston Churchill, head of British Navy, convinces Allies to launch offensive at Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. Winston Churchill, head of British Navy, convinces Allies to launch offensive at Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. Intended goals of offensive: 1. Supply Russia & strengthen Serbia through Dardanelles; 2. Take Constantinople and eliminate Ottoman Empire as a threat; 3. Precipitate collapse of Austria-Hungary. Intended goals of offensive: 1. Supply Russia & strengthen Serbia through Dardanelles; 2. Take Constantinople and eliminate Ottoman Empire as a threat; 3. Precipitate collapse of Austria-Hungary. Jan 1916: Turks drive Allies back. Allies withdrew forces. Jan 1916: Turks drive Allies back. Allies withdrew forces.

 Seas British maintain naval superiority. British maintain naval superiority. Prevent Germany from invading Great Britain. Prevent Germany from invading Great Britain. Keep war materials from reaching Central Powers by Sea. Keep war materials from reaching Central Powers by Sea. Germans want to disrupt Ally shipping. Germans want to disrupt Ally shipping. Both sides depended on sea routes for food & war supplies. Both sides depended on sea routes for food & war supplies.

 Seas con’t Great Britain blockaded all German ports. Germany received supplies through neutral countries: Holland, Denmark, Sweden & Norway. Great Britain blockaded all German ports. Germany received supplies through neutral countries: Holland, Denmark, Sweden & Norway. Germans call blockade “the hunger blockade”. Said it violated international law. Germans call blockade “the hunger blockade”. Said it violated international law. British ignore Germans. Stopped ships that might carry contraband (prohibited goods). Seized cargo. British ignore Germans. Stopped ships that might carry contraband (prohibited goods). Seized cargo.

 Submarine Warfare Germans fight British warships with submarines or U-boats. Germans fight British warships with submarines or U-boats. Germans strike not only warships but also civilian & commercial ships. Germans strike not only warships but also civilian & commercial ships. 1915: German U-boat attacked British Liner Lusitania & killed 1,200 people including 128 Americans. Germans justified attack- claimed Lusitania carried weapons. 1915: German U-boat attacked British Liner Lusitania & killed 1,200 people including 128 Americans. Germans justified attack- claimed Lusitania carried weapons.

 Submarine Warfare con’t Germans continued to sink British & French ships. President Wilson issued ultimatum to severe diplomatic ties to Germany. Germans temporarily suspended unrestricted submarine warfare. Germans continued to sink British & French ships. President Wilson issued ultimatum to severe diplomatic ties to Germany. Germans temporarily suspended unrestricted submarine warfare. May 1916: Battle of Jutland: British & German vessels, off coast of Denmark. Both sides claimed victory. British maintained control of the Seas & kept up blockade. May 1916: Battle of Jutland: British & German vessels, off coast of Denmark. Both sides claimed victory. British maintained control of the Seas & kept up blockade.

 U.S. Enters War 1917: American immigrants divided about the war. Irish Americans anti-British. German Americans supported Central Powers. Others supported Allies. 1917: American immigrants divided about the war. Irish Americans anti-British. German Americans supported Central Powers. Others supported Allies. Most Americans, along with President Wilson, view war as European conflict. U.S. angry about sinking of Lusitania but not ready to enter war. Most Americans, along with President Wilson, view war as European conflict. U.S. angry about sinking of Lusitania but not ready to enter war. Germany wants U.S. out of war & stop British blockade. Resume unrestricted submarine warfare & sink merchant ships. President Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany. Germany wants U.S. out of war & stop British blockade. Resume unrestricted submarine warfare & sink merchant ships. President Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.

 U.S. Enters War con’t German Foreign minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent telegram to German ambassador in Mexico. Promised Mexico (for their support) to regain New Mexico, Texas & Arizona. British intercepted telegram & sent it to U.S. government. U.S. became more anti-German. German Foreign minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent telegram to German ambassador in Mexico. Promised Mexico (for their support) to regain New Mexico, Texas & Arizona. British intercepted telegram & sent it to U.S. government. U.S. became more anti-German. April 2, 1917: President Wilson asked Congress to declare war. U.S. entrance into war helped ensure Ally victory. April 2, 1917: President Wilson asked Congress to declare war. U.S. entrance into war helped ensure Ally victory.