1. GERMANY’S INITIAL ADVANCES
WWI
GERMANY’S INITIAL ADVANCES

2. Germany’s Objectives
avoid war on two fronts

3. Germany’s Objectives
take Paris, France quickly

4. Germany’s Strategic Answer: The Schlieffen Plan
Belgium is neutral (neutrality is guaranteed by Britain)
Germany demands to be given safe passage through Belgium
Why Belgium? Germany’s true objective is to take Paris, France (Schlieffen Plan)
To pass through Belgium & Luxembourg would allow for surprise attack on France
Belgium refuses
August 4, Germany invades Belgium

5. The Schlieffen Plan

6. Belgian Response Belgian military is roughly a tenth of Germany’s
Belgian military & civilian militia try to fight back – buys time for France and England to prepare counter-offensive
Any efforts by Belgian civilians to resist was dealt with severely:
People shot on the spot
Buildings burned to the ground

7. International Response
August 4, Britain declares war so Canada declares war
August 6, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
August 12, 1914 – France & Britain declare war on Austria-Hungary
October 1, 1914 – First troops from Canada leave to be trained in Britain

9. Results of Schlieffen Plan
Germany was able to penetrate French territory quickly and on schedule with relatively few losses
Belgian resistance bought time for France and Britain to mobilize – Germany did not expect this
Russia mobilized quicker than Germany thought
Germany struggled to get supplies to the front quick enough to maintain control in Belgium and France

10. France Mobilizes

11. The First Battle of Ypres
October – November, 1914
Germany fails to reach the north sea

12. The Western Front is Created
Almost 1000 km of trenches are built by both sides

13. The Deadlock on the Western Front
1914 – 1917, the two sides are in a deadlock
Attack after attack from both sides results in little change in territory, but huge casualties
Casualties = dead AND wounded
Both sides seek help from allies

14. The Great War/The War to End All Wars

15. Italy: Whose side are you on anyway?
Before WWI, they had a defensive pact with the Triple Alliance
When G & A-H declared war on other countries, Italy declared itself “neutral”
Italy negotiates an agreement of land with Britain & France if the Allies win the war
May, 1915: Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
August, 1915: Italy declares war on Germany

16. The Sinking of the Lusitania
Departs New York City, bound for Liverpool, England
Carrying munitions and 1,198 passengers, mostly British and Canadian
German U-boats sink her off the coast of Ireland
Death of 128 Americans onboard caused uproar
Helped turn public opinion against Germany

17. Battle of the Somme (July – November, 1916)

18. Battle of the Somme – July 1, 1916
Germans were capable of defending themselves well
60, 000 casualties on the first day for Allies
No Canadians fought the first day but 1st Newfoundland Regiment fought at Beaumont Hamel
Suffered devastating losses
At roll call, only 68 men answered to their names of the 801 that fought

19. Battle of the Somme (July – November, 1916)
Battle becomes synonymous with the horror of WWI
The Germans call is “das Blutbad” (The Bloodbath)
Devastation on both sides:
Britain, France, + Commonwealth
Canada
Germany
Casualties
650,000
24,000
600,000
Deaths
147,000
unknown
164,000
The Allies gained only 13 km

20. The U.S. Enters the War
Germany launches all-out submarine warfare in North Atlantic Ocean in February, 1917 despite promise with U.S. not to
Zimmerman telegram (Germany asks for Mexico’s support; promises lost territory in return)
U.S. declares war on Germany in April, 1917
American troops arrive in France in June, 1917

21. April, Vimy Ridge

22. April, Vimy Ridge
Germans were well defended and previous Allied attacks by British
and French were unsuccessful
all 4 Canadian divisions fought at the same time
General Arthur Currie studied French tactics and employed the same
strategies (ie. used air photos, rehearsed strategy)
In 3 days, Canadians were able to take Hill 145 amid terrible weather and
fierce defence by Germans
10,000 casualties
4 Canadians win the Victoria Cross

23. April, 1917 - Vimy Ridge 4 Canadians win the Victoria Cross
Major-General Arthur Currie is knighted on the battlefield by
King George V
Seen as “the birth of the nation”

24. April, Vimy Ridge
In 1922, France ceded 100 hectare preserved battlefield park to Canada
Memorial there to represent Canadian sacrifices and for the 11,285 presumed dead in France with no known grave

25. The Last Hundred Days August 4, 1918 – November 11, 1918
Previous successes at Vimy, France and Passchendaele, Belgium awarded Canadian soldiers with the reputation of being very effective shock troops
Canadians were given the responsibility of being at the front during attacks in the last hundred days which lead to a series of successes

26. The Last Hundred Days August 4, 1918 – November 11, 1918
Overall objective is to take Hindenburg Line
Canadians help take Amiens, Arras, Canal du Nord, Cambrais, and others
In 100 days, 100,000 Canadians advanced 130 km, captured 32,000 prisoners, acquired 3,800 pieces of artillery, machine guns, mortars
30 Canadians & Newfoundlanders earned Victoria Cross
6,800 died, 39,000 wounded
Last person of the Commonwealth to die in war was Canadian

27. November 11, 1918 – Armistice Day
Germany signs an armistice agreement
Celebration in major cities but not necessarily on the front