Europe Plunges Into War Chapter 29 Section 2

Main Idea One European nation after another was drawn into a large and industrialized war that resulted in many casualties. Much of the technology of modern warfare, such as fighter planes and tanks, was introduced in World War I.

Introduction By 1914, Europe was divided into two rival camps. The Triple Entente Great Britain, France and Russia The Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy Austria’s declaration of war against Serbia set off a chain reaction within the alliance system. Pledged to support each other.

The Great War Begins Russia began moving its army toward the Russian-Austrian border in response to Austria’s declaration of war against Serbia. Russia expected Germany to join Austria, therefore, they also moved their troops to the German border. Germany took this as a declaration of war. Germany declared war on Russia on 8/1/1914

The Great War Begins (cont.) Russia looked to France for help. Before France could react, Germany declared war on them, too. Great Britain declared war on Germany.

Nations Take Sides By mid-August 1914, the battle lines were clearly drawn. Germany and A-H were on one side. Central Powers Later joined by Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire Britain, France and Russia on the other side. Allied Powers or Allies Japan soon joined Italy joined later

I thought Italy was part of the Triple Alliance… Italy had been a member of the Triple Alliance with Germany and A-H. However, Italians felt that Germany and A-H unjustly started a war and changed sides.

A Bloody Stalemate Many people felt that the war would be short. By fall of 1914, the war turned into a long and bloody stalemate. This deadlocked region in northern France became known as the Western Front.

The Conflict Grinds Along Germany was facing a war on two fronts. Developed a battle strategy known as the Schlieffen Plan. Called for attacking and defeating France in the west then rushing to fight Russia in the east. Germans felt this plan would work because Russians lagged behind Europe in their railroad system. This meant longer waits for supplies on the front line.

The First Battle of Marne German leaders needed a quick victory over France. Things looked good for Germany at first. They entered the outskirts of Paris. Allies, however, regrouped and attacked the Germans. After four days of fighting, Germans gave the order to retreat.

Single Most Important Event of the War The First Battle of Marne. Defeat of the Germans left the Schlieffen Plan in ruins. Russian forces had already invaded Germany in the east. Germany was forced to fight a two front war. Sent troops to the east. Western Front remained in stalemate.

War in the Trenches By 1915, the armies on the Western Front had dug miles of parallel trenches to protect themselves from enemy fire. This set the stage for trench warfare. Soldiers fought each other from the trenches. Armies traded huge losses of life for small land gains.

Trench Life Life in trenches was pure misery. Mud Rats Food – nonexistent Sleep – nearly impossible

No Man’s Land Space between the trenches = no man’s land. When ordered to attack, soldiers would enter this area. Faced many rounds of gunfire Stay in the trench? Gunfire went right into the trenches, too

New Tools Military strategists were at a loss. The new tools of war had not delivered the fast moving war they expected. Machine guns Poison gas Armored tanks Larger artillery Big Bertha Technology killed greater numbers of people more effectively. The slaughter reached a peak in 1916. February 1916: Battle of Verdun—Each side lost more than 300,000. July-November 1916: The Somme—Each side suffered more than 500,000 casualties. Only 5 miles were gained in each of these battles.

Australian troops in the trenches equipped with gas masks, Battle of Ypres, 1917

Mustard gas burns from World War I

The British Vickers machine gun required a six man team to operate The British Vickers machine gun required a six man team to operate. One to fire, one to feed the ammunition, and the rest to help carry the weapon and supplies.

British Mark I tank on September 26, 1916

Submarines: German U-Boat U-14

Flying Aces Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918) The Red Baron Shot down 80 enemies before being shot down

The Battle on the Eastern Front War on the Western Front claimed thousands of lives. Both sides were still sending millions more men to fight on the Eastern Front. Stretch of battlefield along the German and Russian border. Russians and Serbs were battling Germans and Austro-Hungarians. More mobile than in the west. Slaughter and stalemate were still common.

Early Fighting Russian forces launched an attack into both Austria and Germany. Germans counterattacked and crushed the Russian army, killing 30,000 Russians. Russians drove deep into Austria after two wins. Three months later (December 1914) Austrians defeated the Russians and pushed them out of their country.

Russia Struggles By 1916, Russia’s war effort was near collapse. Russia was not industrialized like other European countries. Short on food, guns, ammunition, clothes, boots and blankets. Allied supply shipments were limited by German control of the Baltic Sea, extensive submarines in the North Sea and Ottoman control of the Black Sea.

Russia’s Asset Russian army’s one asset – it’s numbers. The Russian army, due to it’s population, managed to hold up hundreds of thousands of German troops on the Eastern Front. As a result, Germany could not fully attack the west. Fighting soon spread to Africa, Southwest and Southeast Asia.