1. What countries make up the Allied forces?
What countries are the Central Powers?

2. (Caught between a rock and a hard place…)
EARLY CAMPAIGNS
(Caught between a rock and a hard place…)

3. The Schlieffen Plan
Developed by German General Alfred von Schlieffen in the 1800s
He wanted to avoid a “two- front war”
His solution? Send everyone to attack France, defeat them quickly, then send everyone to the Russian border (before Russia could mobilize)

4. (stage one)
French Army

5. Battle of the Marne September 5-12, 1914
Germany pursued French soldiers retreating South, but this left their own flanks open to attack
The French took advantage of the breaks in German lines and attacked from Paris
The Germans were forced to retreat
The Schlieffen Plan was aborted

7. Marne cont.
The Germans retreat only 40 miles, digging in, and setting up trenches at the Aisne River
The French catch up and build their own trenches
Both sides move North, trying to outflank the other, until their trenches extend to the North Sea

8. Why it didn’t work
The problem? Schlieffen died. Later generals “watered down” the plan.
Germany attacked France through Belgium and got within 30 miles of Paris
But, Germany didn’t bring enough men to finish the job (left too many men guarding the Russian border)
Turned into a stalemate (tie)

9. Gallipoli Campaign 25 April 1915 – 9 January 1916
Britain attacked the Ottoman Empire (OE)
Allies want to open the strait to secure sea access to Russia and capture Constantinople – the Ottoman capital
Ends in terrible defeat for the Allies and massive casualties on both sides
Almost 400,000!!

10. In Summary... Germany attacked France ⇨ stalemate
Russia attacked Germany and A-H ⇨ stalemate
The O.E. attacked Russia ⇨ stalemate
Italy attacked A-H ⇨ stalemate
Britain attacked the O.E. (the Gallipoli Campaign) ⇨ stalemate

11. Stalemates

12. Misconceptions War is dominated by the offensive
Barbed wire, better artillery, and machine guns have given the advantage to defensive strategies
The fastest and largest army will win
Again, modern war is dominated by the defense
War is short; consisting of one massive effort
Nationalism drives people to fight longer

13. WESTERN FRONT

14. NOTES QUIZ
*All you need is a pen/pencil.

15. Battle of Verdun Longest battle of the war
February 21st – December 18th, 1916
German surprise attack on French
Estimated one million casualties
The longest battle of the war was fought for approximately 10 months. The Battle of Verdun was fought in 1916 between February 21st and December 18th. This German surprise attack on the French resulted in an estimated one million casualties.

16. Battle of the Somme 1.July – 19.November 1916
France and Britain against Germany on the Western Front
Largest battle of WWI
General Sir Douglas Haig
First battle to use Tanks 16

17. The Plan British artillery will bombard the German trenches
Creeping Barrage – the artillery slowly increases distance to keep pace with the infantry
The infantry walk across No Man's Land and take the German side 17

19. Reality Britain = 420,000 France = 195,000
Battle began with a week of bombarding
Allied forces rushed to cross No Man's Land
German troops survived in massive dug-outs and began mowing down Allied troops with machine guns
British casualties = 57,000; 20,000 dead (just on the first day!)
Total casualties:
Britain = 420,000
France = 195,000
Germany = 650,000 in counter-attacks
British gained about 7 miles at the deepest point 19

20. 20

21. 21

22. Battle of Jutland

23. German Destroyer

24. British ship firing a broad-side

25. Losses at the Battle of Jutland

26. WWI U-boat

27. Submarine Warfare

28. “Dazzle”

29. Thought it would confuse enemy subs…

30. U-Boats violated the “Rules of War”
1917, Germany declared “unrestricted submarine warfare” – it would sink any ship going to Britain (even neutral ships!)