1. “The Shots Heard ‘Round the World” and how WWI began
“The Great War”
“The Shots Heard ‘Round the World” and how WWI began

2. Balance of Power
At the turn of the century (1900) Europe maintained peace through a “balance of power”
Balance of power – war is unlikely if all sides are relatively evenly matched
The trick is to maintain the balance
Problem: all nations are competitive and suspicious of each other
Any upset to the balance could trigger war.

3. What challenges faced the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

4. The Balkans: The “Powder Keg of Europe”
The Balkans – European nations of Serbia, Alabania, Montenegro, Greece and Bulgaria
Austria-Hungary illegally annexed Bosnia-Herzogovinia in 1908
Serb terrorist oganization – the “Black Hand” – wished to reconnect this region with the Kingdom of Serbia

5. The Shots heard ‘round the world
The Black Hand engaged in assassination attempts against the Royal family of Austria-Hungary.
On June 28, 1914 Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia visited Sarajevo
Franz Ferdinand was progressive – favoured giving ethnic regions more autonomy

6. The wrong turn that lead to WWI
The Black Hand had a number of assassins stationed throughout the city
After a failed attempt to assassinated Franz Ferdinand the plot was called off
Franz Ferdinand’s chauffeur made a wrong turn after leaving the hospital after visiting those wounded in the assassination attempt
The car came face to face with Gavrilo Princip who seized the moment and fired shots into the car, killing Franz Ferdinand and his wife

7. The Funeral of Ferdinand and Sophia

8. Franz Ferdinand’s Tunic

9. The Arrest of Gavrilo Princip

10. The Guns of August
After the assassination Austria issues Serbia an ultimatum
Serbia accepts virtually all the points but refuses to surrender its sovereignty.
July 28, 1914 Austria opens fire against Serbia
Russia mobilizes against Austria to protect Serbia and appeals to Germany to reign in Austria
Germany gives Austria a “blank cheque” – fully supports Austria
Germany mobilizes against Russia
France mobilizes its troops

11. The Schlieffen Plan

12. The Schlieffen Plan
In 1904 France and Great Britain established an Entente Cordial (friendly understanding) to help each other in the event of German aggression
Later Russia was included and the Triple Entente was formed
As a result, a German general, Alfred von Schlieffen, created a plan to defend itself against a combined attack, particularly from France and Russia

13. The Plan
Von Schlieffen believed it would take the Russians 6 weeks to mobilize and reach the German border.
France would be invaded first through neutral Belgium
Schlieffen’s original plan called for German forces swinging to the coast to prevent British forces from connecting with French forces
Paris would then be taken from behind

14. The Plan Continued
With France defeated, Germany would race its entire force to the Eastern front and defeat Russia.

15. Changes to the Plan 1906 General Moltke modified the plan.
Instead of sweeping through Holland and swinging close to the sea, the German forces would only trounce through Belgium and head more directly to Paris
Moltke assumed two things:
Britain would not join the fight
Belgium would not resist the German army
He was wrong on both accounts
Your Task:
Draw the original route in one colour
Draw the changed route in a different colour.

16. How the Plan Failed
On August 2, 1914 Germany put the plan into action when Russia declared
Germany invaded France through Luxembourg & Belgium
However, the Belgians put up strong defence, slowing the German advance, and the British Expeditionary Force reached Belgium and France quicker then expected
The German army advanced to within 60 km of Paris before being repelled at the Battle of the Marne
German hopes for a quick decisive victory had been dashed.

17. Race to the Sea
With the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, Germany attempted to outflank the Allies
The Allies in turn tried to outflank the Germans
The Race ended with the First Battle of Ypres on October 19, 1914
Now a battle front extended from the English Channel to the Swiss Alps and both sides dug in for what would be 4 years the most brutal warfare in the history of humanity

19. Canada Prepares for War

20. Canada’s Reaction
When Britain declared war on Germany, Canada was automatically at war.
Canada could, however, decided how much support she would offer
Reaction in English Canada was strong, even exuberant
Prime Minister Robert Borden

21. Laurier supports the War Effort
Former Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier supported Canada’s involvement in WWI, however he opposed Borden’s plan for conscription
“Let the friends and foes of Britain know that there is in Canada but one mind and one heart, and that all Canadians stand behind the mother country, conscious and proud that she has engaged in this war to save civilization from the uncontrolled lust of conquest and power.”

22. Early Preparation Canada was poorly prepared for war in 1914
Sir Robert Borden appointed Sam Hughes (an officer in the Boer War) as Minister of Militia
Hughes acts quickly to recruit and organize a Canadian Expeditionary Force
Established training base in Valcartier, Quebec

23. Sam Hughes Controversial character
Praised for how quickly he organized Canadian recruitment and training
But, he was anti-Catholic and very stubborn
Made poor decisions for equipping Canadian soldiers
Ross rifle – would jam when dirty
MAcAdam Shield Shovel – useless as either

24. The War Measures Act (1914)
Confers emergency powers on the federal Cabinet
Allows government to govern by “decree” – gives extreme power to federal government
Suspends normal democratic rights
Censor publications, communications
Arrest, detain citizens without charge
Seize and dispose of property
Thousands of Canadians of “enemy origin” (Austrian, German, Ukrainian) were detained and imprisoned