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

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

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)

(stage one) French Army

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

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

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)

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!!

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

Stalemates

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

WESTERN FRONT

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

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.

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

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

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

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Battle of Jutland

German Destroyer

British ship firing a broad-side

Losses at the Battle of Jutland

WWI U-boat

Submarine Warfare

“Dazzle”

Thought it would confuse enemy subs…

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