Europe Plunges into War The Western and Eastern Fronts

The Outbreak of War July 28, 1914 – Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia –alliance system begins 1.Russia mobilizes army (July 31) 2.Germany asked Russia to cancel mobilization – or war would begin 3.Russia didn’t reply 4.Germany declared war on Russia (August 1) 5.Knowing France would join Russia – Germany declares war on France (August 3) What problem does Germany have now that they have declared war on Russia and France?

Declarations of War 1914 July 28 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. July 31 Russia announces full mobilization. August 1Germany declares war on Russia. August 3 Germany declares war on France. August 4 Germany invades Belgium, Britain declares war on Germany August 5 Montenegro on Austria Hungary August 6 Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia Serbia declares war on Germany. August 9 Montenegro declares war on Germany. August 11 France declares war on Austria-Hungary. August 12 The United Kingdom declares war on Austria-Hungary. August 22 Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium. August 23 Japan declares war on Germany. August 25 Japan declares war on Austria-Hungary. November 1 Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire. November 3 Montenegro declares war on the Ottoman Empire May 23 Italy declares war on Austria- Hungary. October 14 Bulgaria declares war on Serbia October 15 The United Kingdom declares war on Bulgaria. October 16 France declares war on Bulgaria August 27 Italy declares war on Germany; Romania enters on the Allied side 1917 April 6 The United States declares war on Germany. December 7 The United States declares war on Austria-Hungary.

The Western Front The Schlieffen Plan Called for Germany to quickly crush France before Russia was fully ready Plan had many faults: –more resistance in Belgium; German advances delayed –Russia mobilized faster –Britain met German forces in northern France –France attacked in the south

Germany invaded France through Belgium (a neutral nation) Britain brought into war once Germany entered Belgium, Britain pledged to defend Belgium’s neutrality August 4, 1914 Britain declares war on Germany

German offensive stalled in September with France and Britain taking stand along Marne River The First Battle of the Marne was perhaps the single most important event of the war –This ended hopes of quick victory for Germany –Ruined Schlieffen Plan –Germany was pushed back

By fall 1914 Britain and France stabilized Germany along the western front Nov. 1914: neither side could deal final blow –settled down to trench warfare –for next 3 years: fighting only preserved stalemate w/ many casualties

Stalemate

The Frozen Front Along the German and Russian Border More mobile, yet many casualties By 1916, Russian is ready to collapse Behind in industrialization –Short on food and supplies Numbers served as an asset

New Technology

New tools of warfare did not deliver the expected fast-moving war All the new technology did was kill greater numbers of people more effectively

Introduced by the Germans but used by both sides Caused blindness, severe blisters, or death by choking

Fires ammunition automatically-had been much improved by WWI By wiping out waves of attackers the machine gun made it hard for forces to advance. Question: What do you think some problems would be with the machine gun?

Appeared for the first time in battle by the end of 1915 First used to spot enemy’s position Attacked ground targets (communication centers) Zeppelins used to bomb England –Caused little damage Initially pilots shot at each other with pistols before machine guns were mounted.

Armored combat vehicle that moved on chain tracks Could cross many types of terrain Introduced by the British in 1916 at the Battle of Somme Labeled as a water tank in transport to keep the new machine a secret—hence the name Tank

Introduced by the Germans in 1914 Effective warship — primary weapon against ships was the torpedo, an underwater missile Question: How are these helpful? I thought we were fighting on land?

New Technology Video

Stalemate on Western and Eastern Fronts Main combatants look for ways outside of Europe to help end stalemate No alliance or new battle fronts helped

And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda jklchttp:// jklc

Allied plan to attack a region in the Ottoman Empire known as the Dardanelles — narrow sea strait that acted as a gateway to the capital, Constantinople By securing the Dardanelles the allies could –Take Constantinople –Defeat the Turks –Open a supply line to Russia

Starts February 1915 British, Australian, New Zealand, and French troops –ANZAC-Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Turks defended the western side of the strait By May Gallipoli was in stalemate Both sides dug trenches to battle out the rest of the year. Allies evacuate in December

ZXRVkhttp:// ZXRVk 7:15

Germany’s colonies came under assault Japan overran German outposts in China and captured Germany’s Pacific island colonies English and French troops seized control of three out of four German possessions in Africa

The British and the French recruited troops from colonial territory. Troops and laborers from India, S. Africa, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Indochina. Many who did not fight helped supply Some felt their service would lead to independence. Ex: Gandhi

May 7, 1915 a German Submarine sank the British passenger ship Lusitania 1,198 dead, including 128 U.S. citizens Germany claimed the ship had been carrying ammunition, which turned out to be true (relatively small amount) American public is outraged, President Wilson sends protest to Germany Germany finally agrees not to attack neutral and passenger ships

Jan. 1917—Germans announce that their submarines would sink without warning any ship in the waters around Britain = Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Germany had used this policy in 1915 when the Lusitania sank of the coast of Ireland. Returned to the policy b/c they were desperate for an advantage over the Allies

Germany knew this might lead to war with the US but gambled that their naval blockade would starve Britain into defeat before the US could mobilize. President Wilson sends warnings but Germany sinks 3 US ships

January of British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico

The letter stated that Germany would help Mexico “re-conquer” the land it had lost to the US if Mexico allied with Germany

Last straw! April 2, 1917-President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany (official declaration April 6 th ) American population already favored allies: –Common history/language bond with England –Common democratic institutions and legal system with England –Economic ties

Lusitania – Discovery channel bvUZemWg0