General Information… Map of Europe greatly changed Started on July 28, 1914 Ended on November 11, 1918 Almost 8,000,000 dead *** Russia the most = 1.7 million Almost 22,000,000 wounded Map of Europe greatly changed

Reasons for start of war… Extreme nationalism – pride in country Imperialism Militarism – building up military Alliance system - <KEY REASON> European powers formed rival alliances to protect themselves PROBLEM? One event could drag all countries involved into a conflict.

The First World War: Who? Central Powers: Allies: Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Russia (Until 1917) France Great Britain Italy Japan United States (1917)

The Black Hand.. The main objective of the Black Hand was the creation, by means of violence, of a Greater Serbia. Its stated aim was: "To realize the national ideal, the unification of all Serbs. This organization prefers terrorist action to cultural activities; it will therefore remain secret."

The spark that lit the fuse…. The one event that started the Great War happened in the Balkans. The Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria) was assassinated while visiting Serbia. The Black Hand was responsible….

The Assassin and the Archduke Gavrilo Princip

The Reaction to the Assignation The Assignation of the Arch Duke Caused: Austria-Hungary to declared war on Serbia Russia felt that they needed to protect Serbia so they declared war on Austria-Hungary Germany Joined its Ally Austria-Hungary against Russia France Joined to protect its Ally Russia Germany attacked France and Britain became fearful of Germanys aggression and declared war on Germany. The Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers and the Japanese joined the Allied Powers

Kaiser Wilhelm II “You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees!!”

Trench Warfare Trenches dug from English Channel to Switzerland 6,250 miles 6 to 8 feet deep Immobilized both sides for 4 years

Why Trenches? Tradition of fighting in a line was still around. But there were new military technologies created by industrialization Very deadly, in one battle (the battle of Verdun) as many as 700,000 died.

New Weapons Blimps Airplanes Long Range Artillery Tanks Gas Ships Submarines

1917 The Americans Enter the War Why? In 1915 German Submarines (called U-Boats) Sink the Lusitania killing 128 Americans German Submarines (Called U-Boats) are attacking American Ships Zimmerman Note US intercepted a note from Germany to Mexico, It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back in return for an alliance

Also in 1917, Russia Leaves the War In 1917 Russia experiences the Bolshevik Revolution or Communist Revolution causing them to leave the war. This was a radical change for Russia where they switched there economy from Capitalist to Socialist or Communist (More Tomorrow) (Anastasia)-Disney Cartoon 1997 LENIN

The War Ends German leaders knew America entering the war would increase the strength of Allied Powers. Wanted to deal decisive blow to Allied Powers before U.S. had time to ready for war Central powers made one last final push West in 1918 Germans fail and Allies go on offensive forcing Germany to sign an Armistice (or formal document of surrender)

Treaty of Versailles: Officially Ends the War The Germans were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles which forced the Germans to: pay enormous amount of money to war’s victims (Britain, France, United States) Reduce their armed forces to less then 100,000 men. Return conquered lands to France, Russia Give German land to form Poland Loose of Colonies around the world

Too hard on Germany? German reaction to the Treaty of Versailles: Furious, though no choice but to sign Fines crippled the German economy and sent them into a depression. Bitterness would affect German politics in years to come (Hitler)

Figure 31.1: Approximate Comparative Losses in World War I