1. “The War to End All Wars…”

2. Setting the Stage For War
The Congress of Vienna set the scene for a balance of power in Europe; not one dominant country
Germany was not figured into the balance at this time because it was not a united country
After the unification of Germany and the powerful economy and military it established under Kaiser Wilhelm and Bismarck, the balance was upset

3. Rivalries Play a Part
Rivalries over land began to surface during the Age of Imperialism
Competition over land and raw materials sparked tension between nations of Europe
Great Britain
Austria-Hungary
France
Germany
Russia
Italy

4. The “M.A.I.N.” Causes of WWI
M is for Militarism: glorifying war and your military powers
A is for Alliances: defense agreements among the nations involved in WWI
I is for Imperialism: nations gaining control of territory for their own benefit
N is for Nationalism: feelings of loyalty and patriotism towards a region

5. The Alliances of WWI ALLIED POWERS (Triple Entente): Russia France
Great Britain
United States
Serbia
Italy

6. The Alliances of WWI CENTRAL POWERS (Triple Alliance): Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
Italy

7. The Spark of War
Though countries were aligning, a peace remained in Europe
In the Balkan region, growing tensions among nationalities emerged
“the powder keg of Europe”

8. Assassination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary visited Sarajevo in June 1914
When he would become emperor, he would give the Slavs a voice in gov’t and not all liked that
He and his wife were assassinated by Princip, a member of the Black Hand
Serbians held responsible for death by Austrian gov’t
Germany promises to support Austria-Hungary in any action it takes against Serbia

9. Gavrilo Princip

10. Archduke Ferdinand and his wife

11. Prep for War
Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia: let us in to investigate the Archduke’s death or it’s WAR!
Serbian response of yes to an investigation but no to a trial made the Austrians mad
In July 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

12. A Tangle of Alliances Leads to WWI
Russia supports Serbia immediately in a show of support for Slavic people
Russia now declares war on Germany and A-H
France and Great Britain follow suit and support Russia
In great shows of patriotism by citizens, WWI had begun

13. Schlieffen Plan War strategy by the Germans
They invaded Belgium on Aug. 3, 1914
Problem Germans faced: 2 front war
Schlieffen felt that the Russians would be slow to mobilize, so focus first on western front and take Paris
From the beginning, this plan was flawed

14. Battle of the Marne Fought b/t French and German troops in NE France
The French pushed the Germans away from Paris, saving the city
This battle signified the end of Schlieffen Plan

15. Russian Involvement
Russia quickly mobilized and entered the war on the eastern front
This diverted the Germans attention from the western front
This worked until the Russians were severely beaten at Tannenberg

16. Stalemate
For the first part of the war neither side was an obvious victor
In order to fuel the war effort at home, propaganda was used to boost morale
New types of warfare needed to be developed

17. Trench Warfare
Dug on the western front so soldiers could have protection
They lived, fought in these trenches
They endured cold, rats, disease, uncomfortable living conditions
Charged “over the top” to attack enemy trenches
Once poison gas was introduced by the Germans, it changed trench warfare

24. Battles of Verdun and Somme
Verdun: Germans surprised Allies in France
French held firm and Germans abandon attack
***One of the bloodiest battles of the war***
Somme: British and French offensive against the Germans
Inconclusive and costly in lives
The tank was introduced here

25. The Eastern Front Less entrenched Constant changes in battlefields
Russia not as prepared as western European countries
They eventually stepped their efforts up and helped alleviate attention from the western front

26. Attack at Gallipoli
Churchill (head of British navy) wanted to take the Gallipoli peninsula to supply Russia and strengthen Serbia
Then they could take the Ottoman Empire out of the war
Turks drove Allies back

27. Warfare + Water
The Germans realized that the British dominated the Atlantic
The British began to blockade German coast (food and fertilizer)
In response, the Germans used their U-boats (submarines) to attack ships in the Atlantic
At first, warships but eventually commercial ones

28. Warfare + Water (cont’d)
In May 1915 the Germans sunk the Lusitania and America outraged
President Wilson said if they didn’t stop, US would enter the war

31. US Enters the War
US citizens were conflicted about entering (especially immigrants)
The Lusitania angered citizens, but not enough to go to war
Tensions exploded in 1917
The Zimmerman Telegraph
Germany promises to help Mexico recover lost territory if they help Central Powers in war
Anti-German sentiment pushes US into war

32. A Shift in the War
The US was a breath of fresh air to the Allied forces
The US:
Boosted morale
Gave resources and manpower
Helped guard the Atlantic with the convoy system

33. Total War
Armies were running low on manpower, so mechanized warfare was used more
Everyone (soldiers, workers, women, etc) needed to contribute to the effort…thus, TOTAL WAR

34. A Global Effect…
Resources and manpower was needed from European colonies
In return, these natives (i.e. Arabs and Africans) hoped for independence or citizenship at war’s end
This often did not happen

35. End of War
With the help of Americans, the French pushed the Germans back into Germany
The demise of the other Central Powers soon followed
The Ottoman Empire and A-H surrendered
On November 11, 1918 at 11am the Germans surrendered to Allied forces (Armistice Day)

36. End of the War = Problems
Bloodiest war in history: 8.5 million dead and close to 16 million wounded
Political structures of western Europe was shattered
The Armenian Genocide took place at end of WWI
Mass killings of Armenians by Turks
Used Armenian support of Allies as an excuse
Put in labor camps, shot, starved, etc
Over 1 million killed

37. Wilson Pursues Peace
Before the war’s end US president formulated a plan for world peace and for dealing with Germany
The 14 Points: plan for world peace
First five: causes of the war; next 8: specific boundary changes
self-determination
League of Nations
Allies reject the 14 Points, France and Britain want their interests protected

38. Paris Peace Conference
So, the “Big Four” (US, Italy, GB, France) meet in Paris to work on a peace treaty
***Russia and Central Powers not invited***
Here, Wilson gave up some of his idealistic ideals so the League of Nations would be accepted

39. Treaty of Versailles This cut down Germany and punished them
The Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919)
Provisions
9 new nations
Demilitarize Germany
Reparations to Allies
War-Guilt Clause

41. Europe

42. Feelings Fade…
People not as fired up about war now, they are war-weary and exhausted
Family, land, resources, etc were lost

43. Treaty of Versailles Not Perfect
Weaknesses of treaty eventually help lead to WWII
treaty humiliates Germany
Russia felt ignored: excluded from peace conference; lost territory
Issue of colonies & colonized peoples
Vietnam

44. Legacy of WWI Germans shocked at Treaty’s harshness
Worldwide economic depression
Search for scapegoats in Germany sets the scene for WWII