The Treaty of London 1839: Why Britain declared war on Germany In 1839 Britain had signed an international treaty saying that Belgium would always remain a neutral country. Germany had signed this too. When Germany invaded Belgium Britain entered the war to defend Belgium’s right to be neutral.

1914 – 1915 Illusions and Stalemate Many Europeans were excited about war “Defend yourself against the aggressors” Domestic differences were put aside

1914 – 1915 Illusions and Stalemate War would be over in a few weeks Ignored the length and brutality of the American Civil War

1914 – 1915 Illusions and Stalemate Belief that Modern industrial war could not be conducted for more than a few months “Home by Christmas” No major war in 50 years

1914 – 1915 Illusions and Stalemate “Fatal attraction of war” Exhilarating release from every day life A glorious adventure War would rid the nations of selfishness Spark a national re-birth based on heroism

Recruitment Posters

Recruits of the Central Powers A German Soldier Says Farewell to His Mother Austro-Hungarians

New French Recruits

A British Boy Pretends to Be a Soldier

Myth of War

General Alfred Graf von Schlieffen The Schlieffen Plan Invade western front 1st Counted on the slow mobilization of Russian forces due to lack of railways Called for 39 days for the fall of Paris, and 42 days for the defeat of France General Alfred Graf von Schlieffen

The Schlieffen Plan After defeating France concentrate on the Eastern front Avoid fighting a 2 front war

The Schlieffen Plan’s Destructive Nature Germany made vast encircling movement through Belgium to enter Paris Underestimated speed of the British mobilization Quickly sent troops to France

The Schlieffen Plan’s Destructive Nature Sept 6-10, 1914 Battle of Marne Stopped the Germans but French troops were exhausted With this defeat the Schlieffen Plan failed Germany was forced to fight a two front war

The Schlieffen Plan’s Destructive Nature As the summer of 1914 turned to fall, the war turned into a long and bloody stalemate along the battlefields of France Stalemate = to bring to a standstill; deadlock This deadlocked region in northern France became known as the Western Front.

The Trenches Both sides dug trenches for shelter Conflict descends into trench warfare Trench warfare = armies fighting from trenches Battles result in many deaths and very small land gains Life in trenches is miserable, difficult, unsanitary.

Life in the Trenches Elaborate systems of defense barbed wire Concrete machine gun nests Mortar batteries Troops lived in holes underground

Trench Warfare

The Trenches

Life in the Trenches Boredom Soldiers read to pass the time Soldiers were expected to carry all their equipment with them at all times Suppose to keep it clean and in good condition They were British after all

How the uniform and equipment changed after just three weeks in the trenches…

Their equipment is scattered everywhere… Boredom and sleep are obvious… No smiling and relaxed faces… No clean uniforms…

Life in the Trenches Trench warfare baffled military leaders Attempt a breakthrough Then return to a war of movement Millions of young men sacrificed attempting the breakthrough

Trench Foot Affected feet become numb and then turn red or blue. Advanced immersion foot often involves blisters and open sores, which lead to fungal infections If left untreated, immersion foot usually results in gangrene, which can require amputation.

Trench Foot

Trench Rats The soldiers had very little decent food, and what food they had was often attacked by rats. These rats were the size of small rabbits and badgers because they had fed on the decomposing bodies of dead soldiers.

Body Lice Men in the trenches suffered from lice The first symptoms were shooting pains in the shins and was followed by a very high fever Although the disease did not kill, it did stop soldiers from fighting Accounted for about 15% of all cases of sickness in the British Army.