1. Western Front Schlieffen Plan failed Belgians resisted
Russia mobilized more quickly than expected

2. First Battle of the Marne
September 5-12, 1914
Culmination of German advance into France
British & French push Germany back
Allied victory
Sets stage for trench warfare

3. Eastern Front Battle lines shifted back & forth over larger areas
No trench warfare but higher casualties

4. The Eastern Front The Frozen Front
Lack of food and clothing; 100’s froze to death daily
Russia not industrialized was always short on food, clothing, weapons, and ammo
Russia’s asset was its numbers
Germany blockaded the Baltic Sea and the Ottoman Empire controlled the Black Sea

5. War Around the World
Though most fighting took place in Europe, WWI was a global conflict
Japan, allied with Britain, used war as excuse to seize German outposts in China & the Pacific

6. Balkans Bulgaria joined Central Powers
Helped defeat Balkan rival, Serbia
Romania joined Allies
Hoped to gain some land in Hungary
Crushed by Central Powers
Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary & later Germany

7. Winning the War One country will leave One country will enter 1917
Europeans cracking under strain of war
Morale was low
Stalemate seemed unending
One country will leave
One country will enter

8. Lusitania May 1915, German submarine torpedoed British liner
About 1200 killed
128 Americans
Germans stopped unrestricted submarine warfare for the moment

10. USA Unrestricted submarine warfare stopped after Lusitania, 1915
Pressure from President Wilson
1917 Germans desperate
Started again
Wilson angrily denounces Germany
1917, British intercept telegram between German foreign minister Arthur Zimmermann to Mexico

11. Zimmermann Note

12. USA Declares War Brought much needed morale boost & financial aid
April 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war
1918, about 2 million American soldiers join the Allied troops
Wilson to Congress,
“We have no selfish ends to serve-”
“to make the world safe for democracy”
“War to end all Wars”
Brought much needed morale boost & financial aid

13. Total War Nations entire resources going into the war effort.
Governments took stronger role in directing economic and cultural lives of people

14. Total War Conscription Germany Governments raised taxes
“The draft”
All warring nations
Germany
Forced civilian labor
Governments raised taxes
Rationed food, boots, gasoline, etc.
Forbade strikes

15. Total War
International law allows wartime blockades to stop contraband.
However, British navy formed blockade in the North Sea and blocked everything
Germans retaliate
Unrestricted submarine
Warfare