Causes of the War

Europe at Its Peak Industrial Revolution at its peak Modernization led to sense that Europeans were at the peak of world civilization Europe had 25% of world population—highest percent of any time in history

Imperial Tensions European nations competed for colonies

Militarism Glorification of war and increase in military spending Germany competed against England’s naval superiority

Nationalism Great pride in one’s country or aspiring to become one’s own country Germany and Italy had only recently become united, independent countries Many countries torn by tensions of different nationalist groups

Combined with militarism and imperial competition, this increased tensions in Europe

The System of Alliances Web of treaties to protect themselves Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria- Hungary and Italy Triple Entente: France, Russia and Great Britain

How do I possibly REMEMBER all of that?

These are the MAIN causes for World War I MAIN –Militarism –Alliances –Imperialism –Nationalism

War Breaks Out

Nationalism in the Balkans

People with diverse religions, ethnic backgrounds, languages As Ottoman Empire receded, new nations were born Russian and Austria competed for colonial control of new nations Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia in 1908 and Serbia resents this

Nationalism in the Balkans

The Assassination of the Archduke

Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria visited Bosnian capital (Sarajevo) on June 28, assassins from the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, plot against him 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip kills the Archduke and his wife (THE SPARK)

The Assassination of the Archduke

Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum Germany gave “blank check” of military support to Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary’s serves ultimatum to Serbia Serbia refuses to let Austria- Hungary’s officials run an investigation in Serbia

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia July 28,1914

The Alliance System Leads to War Russia supported Serbia and Germany supported Austria-Hungary Within one week, almost all of Europe plunged into war: –Germany declares war on Russia and France –Britain declares war on Germany

Alliances and Fronts of the War

What has changed about the alliances????

The Alliances Allied Powers — Britain, France, Russia, Belgium Central Powers — Germany, Austria- Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire

The Western Front Germany tried to take France quickly in the Western Front and then turn to fight Russia (Schlieffen Plan) Instead, battle lines formed in northeastern France and changed little (stalemate) Miles of trenches built (trench warfare)

The Western Front

Battles Along the Western Front Long, bloody battles: Verdun— 680,000 casualties Somme—over 1 million casualties

The Eastern Front Lack of modern technology caused Russia enormous defeats Led to Bolshevik (Russian)Revolution Treaty signed with revolutionary government in Russia—lost one- fourth of territory

The Eastern Front Brest-Litvosk Treaty

The Balkan Front The Allies abandoned attempts to land in Balkans after losing battles to Ottoman Empire (ex. Gallipoli) The Italian Front Italians joined the Triple Entente in 1915 and fought Austria-Hungary

The War Ends 1917 – USA enters war – replaces Russia in Triple Entente Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire were first Central Powers to be defeated Revolts inside Austria-Hungary and Germany helped end the war quickly

New Weapons Used in the War

The Machine Gun Modern industry replaced the single- fire, short-range rifle British machine guns fired 8 round per second, at a distance of 2,900 yards

Artillery Greater power and carried shells much further 24 million shells used in the Battle of Verdun alone

Weapons of the Industrial Age 75 different types of poison-gas used (1 st time – nd Battle of Ypres) Flame throwers Tanks (first used in 1916) Airplanes U-Boats

Casualties of Modern Weaponry Tactics of sending masses of men toward enemy didn’t work against modern weapons (No Man’s Land) Britain suffered 57,470 casualties on the first day of the Battle of Somme Total losses for WWI exceeded 10 million

The Reality of Soldiers’ Lives

Patriotic Fervor Many Europeans looked forward to war at the start Attitudes Change Soldiers changed Europeans’ optimistic fervor through letters about the horrors of war

The Return Home No crowds or heroes’ welcome after the war

Trench Warfare

The Race to the Sea 475 miles of trenches were dug across northern France British troops used over 10 million shovels during the war

Life in the Trenches Charging over the top, crossing no man’s land to reach enemy trenches Boring, terrifying and caused shell shock Horrible living conditions

Effect of the War on the Home Front

Mobilizing for Total War Civilians back home made huge sacrifices Governments controlled industries, rationing Propaganda and Censorship used often

New Jobs for Women Worked in jobs traditionally held only by men, who were at the front Number in paid employment rose by over one million Worked in paramilitary organizations to support soldiers at front

Women’s Wages Paid less than men for same work Industrial and civil work provided better pay and working hours than traditional jobs

Women’s Changing Role Women discovered the benefits of financial autonomy and greater mobility Some refused to return to domestic service Women won right to vote throughout Europe

The Paris Peace Conference

Signing of the Treaty of Versailles

Peace of Justice Leaders of Allied and Central powers met at the Palace of Versailles President Wilson’s 14 Points supported self-determination for all nations and a just peace

Peace of Vengeance Italy and Britain wanted territory France wanted to punish Germany Italy and United States left, leaving peace settlement to France and Britain Wilson - Pressure by United States for Policy of Isolationism

Treaty of Versailles with Germany France and Britain created a severe treaty that punished Germany Germany had to: –Return Alsace-Lorraine region to France –Keep area near France, called Rhineland, demilitarized –Pay war reparations of 32 billion dollars –Agree to war guilt clause

The New Europe Treaties similar to Germany’s signed with other Central Powers Many countries experienced a change in their borders Bulgaria, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia lost territory Many new countries were created

The New Europe