World War I

What will we cover?  Long and short term causes of the war  Opposing sides and nations involved  Trench Warfare  Weapons used during the war  Equipment used during the war  Events/battles during the war, including the Russian Revolution  How nations paid/provided for the war  Use of propaganda during the war  End of the war  Results/impact of the war

The long term causes of World War I: 1. Militarism – arms races/build up of artillery in anticipation of conflict 2. Alliances – European nations teamed up to offer support to one another in event of conflict 3. Imperialism – efforts to expand and possess foreign territories 4. Nationalism – extreme pride and patriotism; confidence in one’s country

MAIN Causes of the Great War MAIN Causes of the Great War M ilitarismM ilitarism A lliancesA lliances I mperialismI mperialism N ationalismN ationalism

Militarism  Caused by tension between alliance networks in Europe (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente)  arms race to increase military strength (quantity and quality)  universal conscription a policy of many European powers  Plans developed for mobilization of forces in case of outbreak of war (ex. Schlieffen Plan) Schlieffen Plan  Increased military budgets by European Powers between  Naval expansion (especially between Germany and Great Britain)

Alliances  In order to protect themselves and strengthen their status in Europe, nations formed alliances.  These alliances were in many cases meant to PREVENT war.  However, the alliances had the potential to turn a small conflict between two nations into a more widespread conflict (which they eventually did)

Triple Entente Britain France Russia Triple Alliance Italy Germany Austria VS. Alliances

How did these alliances start? 1871 – Germany is a ‘satisfied power’ 1871 – Germany is a ‘satisfied power’ Aimed now at keeping peaceAimed now at keeping peace France is biggest threat to peaceFrance is biggest threat to peace Try to isolate France by taking away alliesTry to isolate France by taking away allies 1879 – Germany forms Dual Alliance 1879 – Germany forms Dual Alliance GermanyGermany Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary 3 years later, Italy joins forming the Triple Alliance3 years later, Italy joins forming the Triple Alliance 1881 – Germany signs treaty with Russia 1881 – Germany signs treaty with Russia taking another ally away from France.taking another ally away from France. – For a complete timeline of all alliances

Kaiser Wilhelm II German Ruler German Ruler “I and the army were born for one another” “I and the army were born for one another”

1890 – new German leader allows treaty with Russia to lapse 1890 – new German leader allows treaty with Russia to lapse Russia retorts by forming an alliance with France Russia retorts by forming an alliance with France just what Germany didn’t want just what Germany didn’t want Germany would be forced to fight from two sidesGermany would be forced to fight from two sides Germany starts building ships comparable to British ships Germany starts building ships comparable to British ships

Britain reacts by forming an alliance with France Britain reacts by forming an alliance with France 1907 – Britain then makes another treaty with Russia and France, forming the Triple Entente 1907 – Britain then makes another treaty with Russia and France, forming the Triple Entente Britain was not bound to fight with France and Russia, but rather promised not to fight against them. Britain was not bound to fight with France and Russia, but rather promised not to fight against them.

Imperialism  Contributed to the increase in rivalry in Europe  Great Britain, Germany and France competed for economic expansion in Africa.  In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria- Hungary, the Balkans and Russia.

Nationalism  Nationalist movements led to the unification of Italy in 1861 and that of Germany in  Another result of the Franco-Prussian War of was that France was left seething over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, and regaining that territory was a major goal of the French.  Nationalism posed a problem for Austria-Hungary and the Balkans, areas comprised of many conflicting national groups.

The short term/immediate cause of World War I: June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist.

Why/how did this happen? 1908 – Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina 1908 – Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbia who had hoped to rule these provinces became upset. Serbia who had hoped to rule these provinces became upset. Tension between Serbia and Austria grew… Tension between Serbia and Austria grew… Serbia continually vowed to take the land backSerbia continually vowed to take the land back Austria continually vowed to crush any Serbian effort of the land…Austria continually vowed to crush any Serbian effort of the land…

Bosnian Crisis of 1908 Serbia threatened war on Austria-Hungary following the annexation of Bosnia. Russia pledged support to Serbia and began to mobilize. Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, to threaten war on Russia. The beginning of World War I was postponed when Russia backed down, but relations between Austria- Hungary and Serbia were greatly strained.

Basic representation of the alliances centered on the Balkans. The Balkans: The “Powder Keg” of Europe

Assassination in Sarajevo June 28, 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, was assassinated Killed by Serbian nationalist (Gavrilo Princip) belonging to an organization known as The Black Hand Following the assassination Germany pledged its full support to Austria- Hungary, pressuring them to declare war on Serbia Convinced the Serbian government had conspired against them, Austria- Hungary issued Serbia an ultimatum, to which Serbia consented almost entirely.

Sarajevo

Gavrilo Princip

Chain reaction to Ferdinand’s assassination: June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. July 28: Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia. August 1-3: Germany declares war on Russia, France. August 4: Great Britain declares war on Germany.

Austria moves to punish Serbia, Russia comes to the aid of Serbia, and then all those alliances engage as everybody declares war on everyone else in a tragic domino effect.

The official annunciation of the war in Berlin (August 2, 1914)

Neutral Countries: Netherlands, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland Triple Entente Britain France Russia Triple Alliance Italy Germany Austria VS. Allied Powers Britain France Russia Italy Japan Central Powers Italy Germany Austria Bulgaria Ottoman Empire Italy Germany Austria

Cheerful German soldiers on the train to the front

Advance of French soldiers into the war surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd

The Schlieffen Plan designed to prevent a two-front war for Germany designed to prevent a two-front war for Germany goal - to knock France/Britain out of the war before Russia could mobilize goal - to knock France/Britain out of the war before Russia could mobilize Called for [surprise] attack of French from the north by invading through Belgium rather than only crossing the Maginot Line Called for [surprise] attack of French from the north by invading through Belgium rather than only crossing the Maginot Line enlarged scope of war by bringing in Belgium and Britain enlarged scope of war by bringing in Belgium and Britain

The Schlieffen Plan was unsuccessful, leading Germany and the Central Powers to fight a two front war. Militarism