1. The Great War Begins
US History II

2. Ripple Effect Assassination of FF
Alliance system accelerated involvement
Europe is at total war in a matter of weeks

3. Schlieffen Plan Germany’s strategic plan to win WWI
Attack France on Western Front first with 90% of German army (How and Why?)
Move through Holland, Belgium, & Luxembourg
Win quickly (within weeks)
Once France is defeated concentrate all efforts on Eastern Front – Russia

4. Stalemate Emerges trench warfare Soldiers dug in – fixed positions
Defensive warfare
“No Man’s Land”
Offensive attacks resulted in high casualties
Horrible conditions (trench foot, etc.)

5. <Sept. 1914> Battle of the Marne
1st horrific battle of the war
500,000 casualties on both sides
German invasion stalls – the beginning of 3 years of stalemate trench warfare

6. <April 1915> Battle of Gallipoli
Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey
British/French attempt to take the capitol Constantinople
Get Turkey out of the war
Secure a supply route to Russia
Attempt failed – heavy casualties
300,000 Turks / 214,000 Allies

7. <Feb.-Dec. 1916> Battle of Verdun
German massive attack in northeast France
Historically significant to the French – they would defend homeland at all costs
Longest and bloodiest battle of WWI
250,000 deaths and over 1 million wounded
No ground was gained for either side

8. <July-Nov. 1916> Battle of the Somme
Allies attack Germany north & south of the Somme River
Allies gain only 5 miles of territory
“pals” joined together
wiped out many town’s generation of young men
British 420,000, French 195,000 & German 650,000 casualties