World War I The “Great War” Before The Entry of the United States

What do we already know?? What caused World War I? What caused World War I? What was the “spark” that started the War? What was the “spark” that started the War? What countries were on what side? What countries were on what side? How did alliance structure pull other countries into the war? How did alliance structure pull other countries into the war?

Mobilization Plans What the heck is Mobilization? What the heck is Mobilization? Mobilization is the process of getting a country ready for war. Mobilization is the process of getting a country ready for war. Size of the country Size of the country Size of the war Size of the war Industry Industry Technology Technology Transportation Transportation

Plans by Country France- Plan XVII France- Plan XVII Attack Germany’s Ruhr Valley (Center of Industry) Attack Germany’s Ruhr Valley (Center of Industry) If Germany can’t produce war materials, it can’t fight If Germany can’t produce war materials, it can’t fight Russia- Plan 19 Russia- Plan 19 Attack Germany and Austria- Hungary at the same time Attack Germany and Austria- Hungary at the same time Germany- Schlieffen Plan Germany- Schlieffen Plan Attack France first, France could mobilize faster then Russia Attack France first, France could mobilize faster then Russia Go around French defenses through Belgium Go around French defenses through Belgium Once France was defeated, attack Russia who hopefully would still be mobilizing Once France was defeated, attack Russia who hopefully would still be mobilizing

The Western Front (France & Belgium) Germany takes Belgium quickly Germany takes Belgium quickly German armies advance to within 43 miles of Paris before being stopped by French and British armies at the 1 st Battle of the Marne (Sept. 6-12, 1914) German armies advance to within 43 miles of Paris before being stopped by French and British armies at the 1 st Battle of the Marne (Sept. 6-12, 1914) Both sides dug a system of Trenches that effectively led to a stalemate on the Western Front Both sides dug a system of Trenches that effectively led to a stalemate on the Western Front Important Battles- Battle of Verdun, Battle of the Somme Important Battles- Battle of Verdun, Battle of the Somme

The Eastern Front (Russia) Much more fluid then the Western Front because of the large amount of land involved Much more fluid then the Western Front because of the large amount of land involved Russia had plenty of troops, but training and equipment was often poor or non-existent Russia had plenty of troops, but training and equipment was often poor or non-existent By 1917 Russia’s economy is crippled By 1917 Russia’s economy is crippled November 1917 Russian Communists overthrow Tsar Nicholas II and in March 1918 sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ending their involvement in WWI November 1917 Russian Communists overthrow Tsar Nicholas II and in March 1918 sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ending their involvement in WWI

Fighting Around the World Clashes in Africa over colonies Clashes in Africa over colonies German colonies in the pacific were taken by the British, Australians, and Japanese German colonies in the pacific were taken by the British, Australians, and Japanese Middle East- Fighting took place in current day Turkey, Central Russia, Iraq, and the Arab Revolt in Saudi Arabia Middle East- Fighting took place in current day Turkey, Central Russia, Iraq, and the Arab Revolt in Saudi Arabia Naval Warfare- British Blockade of Germany, Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, Battle of Jutland Naval Warfare- British Blockade of Germany, Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, Battle of Jutland

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Neutrality of the United States The U.S.A. did not enter the war until April 6, 1917 The U.S.A. did not enter the war until April 6, 1917 American troops would begin to arrive in France during the fall of 1918 American troops would begin to arrive in France during the fall of 1918