WORLD WAR I CICERO © 2008

CAUSES The immediate cause of World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo. Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian Black Hand secret society killed Ferdinand. Conflicts between Austria-Hungary and Serbia started with a challenge to the 1878 Treaty of Berlin. Under that treaty, Austria- Hungary assumed a mandate to occupy and control Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Ottoman Empire kept its sovereignty, and Serbia was recognized as a kingdom; however, Serbians were incensed that Austria-Hungary had annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Bosnian crisis of 1908 and Archduke Franz Ferdinand (left) and Gavrilo Princip CICERO © 2008

This led to two Balkan Wars, in which Serbia gained Macedonia and Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire. Ferdinand had been a supporter of both federalism and tribalism, which advocated that Austria-Hungary be reorganized with the Slavic lands to add a third kingdom. A Slavic kingdom could have put tremendous pressure on the Serbians, and Archduke Franz Ferdinand would have been the leader of this new kingdom. In the aftermath of the assassination, Austria-Hungary wanted the Serbian government to punish those responsible. Austria-Hungarian leaders made a list of ten demands for the Serbian government. Austria- Hungary declared war on Serbia when the demands were not met. CAUSES After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Gavrilo Princip is arrested. CICERO © 2008

DECLARATIONS OF WAR Germany’s Declaration of War in 1914 July 28, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. August 1, 1914 – Germany declares war on Russia. August 3, 1914 – Germany declares war on France. August 4, 1914 – United Kingdom declares war on Germany. August 5, 1914 – Montenegro declares war on Austria- Hungary. August 6, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia; Serbia declares war on Germany. August 9, 1914 – Montenegro declares war on Germany. August 11, 1914 – France declares war on Austria- Hungary. August 12, 1914 – United Kingdom declares war on Austria-Hungary. CICERO © 2008

DECLARATIONS OF WAR August 22, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium. August 23, 1914 – Japan declares war on Germany. August 25, 1914 – Japan declares war on Austria- Hungary. November 1, 1914 – Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire. November 3, 1914 – Montenegro declares war on the Ottoman Empire. November 5, 1914 – France and United Kingdom declare war on the Ottoman Empire. May 23, 1915 – Italy declares war on Austria- Hungary. October 14, 1915 – Bulgaria declares war on Serbia. October 15, 1915 – United Kingdom declares war on Bulgaria. The is a diagram of the alliances before World War I. CICERO © 2008

DECLARATIONS OF WAR October 16, 1915 – Frances declares war on Bulgaria October 19, 1915 – Italy and Russia declare war on Bulgaria. August 27, 1916 – Italy declares war on Germany. The diagram represents European alliances before World War I. coat of arms of Bulgaria CICERO © 2008

LEADERS OF WORLD WAR I ALLIED POWERS Woodrow Wilson John J. Pershing David Lloyd George Georges Clemenceau CENTRAL POWERS Franz Josef I Karl I Wilhelm II Mehmed V CICERO © 2008

PARTICIPANTS IN WORLD WAR I ALLIED POWERSCENTRAL POWERS United States British Empire French Third Republic Kingdom of Serbia Kingdom of Romania Empire of Japan Russian Empire Kingdom of Italy Kingdom of Greece Kingdom of Montenegro Belgium Portugal Bulgaria Ottoman Empire Austria- Hungary German Empire CICERO © 2008

WEAPONS land ship/tankbarbed wire Maxim machine gun hand grenade poison gassubmarine bi-plane CICERO © 2008

STRATEGIES TRENCH WARFARE In trench warfare both armies could fight from fortified positions. It was a slow form of combat with heavy reliance on defense. The soldiers built complex trench and dugout systems and stocked them with weapons. Barbed wire protected the trenches. The space between opposing armies’ trenches was “no man’s land.” Attacks almost always resulted in injury and death for the attacking soldiers. CICERO © 2008

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRENCH WARFARE Trench warfare was an important part of combat during World War I. The effectiveness of the new weapons made it impossible to fight in the open for extended periods of time. Trenches were constructed for careful and planned attacks. The trench protected soldiers from attack. Soldiers also dug temporary trenches as close to the front lines as possible. These would protect waves of soldiers attacking the enemy. Attacking soldiers would take cover in a forward trench to regroup while other soldiers followed the first attack. Trenches kept soldiers out of the line of fire as much as possible. British trench design CICERO © 2008

OBJECTIVES ALLIED POWERSCENTRAL POWERS The main objective of the Allied Powers was to stop Germany and the Central Powers’ attempts to expand their land in Europe and Asia. The American conflict with Germany stemmed from Germany’s violation of a neutrality agreement when German submarines attacked American passenger ships. The main objective of the Central Powers was to acquire as much land as possible in Europe and Asia. Germany believed France, England, and Russia prevented its expansion. Germany was determined to expand its borders. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Mons August 23–27, 1914 The Battle of Mons was the first major action the British Expeditionary Force took during World War I. British soldiers were overwhelmed during the attack. After the French and Belgian armies retreated, the British planned to hold off the advancing German soldiers although they suffering terrible losses. The British finally retreated on August 27, and only two hundred forty British soldiers survived the battle. It was still a British victory because British troops held the Germans and regrouped. Battles of Charleroi and Mons CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Tannenberg August 23–September 2, 1914 The Germans and the Russians fought the Battle of Tannenberg in which the Second Army of Russia was almost destroyed. Additional battles continued in Russia. With the aid of railroad transportation, the German army fought on both fronts of the Russian army. The battle ended in a German victory; Russian soldiers were captured, killed, or retreated. Battle of Tannenberg, August 23–26, 1914 CICERO © 2008

BATTLES First Battle of Marne September 5–12, 1914 The First Battle of Marne was along the Marne River in Paris, France. The Allied Powers went on the offensive, constantly attacking the German First and Second Armies. It seemed as if by September 9, both armies would be surrounded. When German General von Moltke had a nervous breakdown after seeing what could happen, the Germans retreated; and the Allied Powers were victorious. Battle of Marne CICERO © 2008

BATTLES First Battle of Aisne September 13–28, 1914 The First Battle of Aisne was between the German First and Second Army and the Allied Powers. The Allies launched an assault on the Germans, who had halted their retreat at the Aisne River. However, the Germans launched a counterattack, and used a machine gun in their attack. Nonetheless, the Allied Powers continued to push back the German advances. Fighting stopped on September 28, as it was clear neither side could win the battle. During the First Battle of Aisne, French troops capture an alleged spy. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Albert September 25–29, 1914 During the Battle of Albert, the French Tenth Army pushed eastward and attacked the German lines near Albert. The French Tenth Army was met with heavy resistance from the German Sixth Army. The Germans were attempting to drive westward to the English Channel, and they eventually took many agricultural regions in northern France and cut supply routes from the British Expeditionary Force. However, neither side gained new ground, and the battle ended in a stalemate. Battle of Albert CICERO © 2008

BATTLES The First Battle of Arras October 1–4, 1914 In the First Battle of Arras, the French prevented the Germans from advancing to the English Channel. The French Tenth Army successfully attacked the Germans, but were counterattacked in Douai. The French Tenth Army was forced to retreat. While the French held Arras, they lost Lens to the First, Second, and Seventh Armies of Germany. symbol of the German Army CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Ypres October 19–November 22, 1914 Also known as the Battle of Flanders, the British Expeditionary Force moved north and stopped the Germans at Passchendaele Ridge in this battle. At the same time, the Belgians opened the gates of the Yser River to flood low-lying land to prevent a German advance. Trench warfare continued. The Germans lost many young soldiers in this battle, which the Germans called the “Massacre of the Innocents.” Battle of Ypres CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Neuve Chapelle and Artois March 10–13, 1915 In the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and Artois, British troops attacked. The British goal was to break the German lines and the French were to attack the Vimy Ridge. This was the first battle that utilized aerial photography, and the Allies mapped all of the German lines in the region. The Germans launched a counterattack that halted the Allies’ advancement. The British captured little ground during this battle. These wounded British soldiers are prisoners in German trenches. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Isonzo June 23–July 7, 1915 The Battle of Isonzo was contested between the Italians, fighting with the Allies, and the Austro-Hungarians, who sided with the Central Powers. The Italians wanted to move the Austrians from their defensive positions. Even though the Italian army was twice the size of the Austrian army, the Austrians fought from an uphill position. The Austrian army received reinforcements, and the Italians were defeated. one of the many trenches used during the Battle of Isonzo CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Verdun February 21–December 18, 1916 The French and Germans fought the Battle of Verdun. It resulted in deaths of approximately 250,000 soldiers, and at least one million were wounded. The Battle of Verdun was one of the longest battles of World War I. The French and German armies launched constant attacks against each other. The French mounted the final offensive on December 11. The Germans retreated to their position before the battle after the last French offensive. Violence took place in all areas of Verdun. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Jutland May 31–June 1, 1916 The Battle of Jutland was the largest naval battle of World War I. The battle pitted the German navy against the British navy. It was the only time during World War I that battleships were used. The German navy wanted to lure the British Grand Fleet into a trap and defeat it. The battle continued for a little over one month. Fourteen British and eleven German ships were sunk. Both sides claimed victory, but there was not clear victor in the Battle of Jutland. Battle of Jutland CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Somme July 1–November 18 t 1916 Also known as the Somme Offensive, the Battle of the Somme was one of history’s bloodiest battles. During the conflict, the Allies attempted to fight their way through the German lines to draw Germans away from the Battle of Verdun. The Allied and Central Powers suffered 1.4 million casualties. The British and French armies only captured approximately five miles of territory. Soldiers of the 11 th Cheshire Regiment are stationed in their trenches. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Gorizia August 6–17, 1916 Also known as the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo, the Italian Army used the railroads to transport troops between Isonzo and Trentino. The Austrian forces were weakened as the Italian troops continued their attack. The Austrians retreated to the Gorizia sector, signifying a victory for the Italians. This victory boosted the Italians’ morale, and Italy declared war on Germany on August 28, Italian soldiers are stationed in their trenches along the Isonzo River during the Battle of Gorizia. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Flers-Courcelette September 15, 1916 The tank was first used in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. The British army attempted to break through the German lines and utilized tank warfare in their attack. Although the British, New Zealand, and Canadian armies gained territory in the attack, they could not break the German lines. The German Army stopped the British before they advanced to Morval. soldiers from the 2 nd Battalion of the Auckland Regiment after the Battle of Flers-Courcelette CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Gaza March 26, 1917 In the Battle of Gaza, the British drove back Turkish forces on the Arabian Peninsula and Mesopotamia. The Turkish forces had been trying to cut the Allied Powers’ supply route through the Suez Canal. When the Turkish forces were about to be expelled from Gaza, however, the British called for a retreat, stating there was a threat of Turkish reinforcements. However, the Allies had defeated the reinforcements. coat of Arms of the Ottoman Empire CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Second Battle of Arras April 9–May 16, 1917 Australian, British, and Canadian soldiers fought the Germans in the Second Battle of Arras. The Allied Powers’ objective was to move the German soldiers from territory so the French Army could attack and capture the higher German ground on the Douai Plain. Although the Allied Powers did not win this battle, they made significant advances in military tactics such as counter-battery fire and the creeping barrage. the frontline at Arras before the battle CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Second Battle of Aisne April 16–May 9, 1917 The Second Battle of Aisne was part of the Nivelle Offensive, which the French army had organized. The attack was successful for the French, and there were 40,000 French causalities on the first day. Despite suffering tremendous losses, French Commander Robert Nivelle continued to launch full-scale attacks, which the Germans repelled. The French were defeated. The battle ruined Nivelle’s career, and French soldiers’ morale plummeted. the Western Front in 1917 CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Messines June 7–14, 1917 The map depicts military action during the Battle of Messines, from June 7–14. In the Battle of Messines, General Herbert Plummer led an attack of the British Second Army. The battle is remembered because the British soldiers detonated nineteen mines before launching their infantry attack. This tactic surprised the Germans and the British were victorious. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Passchendaele July 31–November 6, 1917 Also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, the Allied forces wanted to breach the German lines and take control of Passchendaele. This town contained the Germans’ main submarine base. The Germans took cover in trenches and fought off the Allied Powers’ attack for some time. Although Canadian forces captured Passchendaele, the Allies suffered almost 500,000 casualties. Allied soldiers move over a duckboard track in the Chateau Wood. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Caporetto October 24–November 19, 1917 Also known as the Battle of Karfeit, this was a combined effort of the German and Austrian-Hungarian armies. The combined armies routed the Italians, who had no reserves to provide assistance to their front lines. The use of storm troopers and new infiltration maneuvers Oskar von Hutier pioneered led to this Central Powers’ victory. The map depicts military action during the Battle of Caporetto and the Italian retreat. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Cambrai November 20–December 6, 1917 In the Battle of Cambrai tanks were used successfully. Although the British Army did not defeat the Germans, they proved the Hindenburg Line could be broken. However, the Germans counterattacked using new infiltration tactics. Although the British were maintained control of the ridge, the Germans advanced in other areas and won a strong tactical victory. British soldiers prepare for action in their trenches, and a tank patrols in the background. CICERO © 2008

THE TREATY OF BREST-LITOVSK Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Russian Soviet Socialist Party. Russians were weary of World War I and the enormous sacrifices they endured. This discontentment led to popular support of the Bolshevik Party. Its leader, Vladimir Lenin, promised that if he were elected to a position of power, he would remove Russian forces from the war. After winning the election in November 1917, Lenin pursued an armistice with Germany. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed, and Russia was no longer a combatant nation. The treaty granted the Central Powers control of territory that included Finland and the Baltic provinces. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk CICERO © 2008

THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I an American doughboy circa 1918 United States President Woodrow Wilson announces a break in diplomatic relations with Germany on February 3, Originally, the United States pursued a policy of isolationism. After a German U-boat sank the British passenger ship Lusitania, President Woodrow Wilson demanded Germany end attacks on passenger ships. The British Royal Navy then intercepted the Zimmerman telegram in which a German diplomat encouraged Mexican officials to ally with German if the United States declared war on Germany. These events as well as the sinking of American merchant ships led the United States Congress to declare war on Germany on April 6, CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Third Battle of Aisne May 27–June 6, 1918 The Third Battle of Aisne featured the main goal of the Germans to capture the Chemin des Dames Ridge before the Americans, who had just joined the Allies, arrived in Europe. The German army fought strongly against the English and French armies that tried to stop their offensive. Although close to victory, German soldiers were fatigued and they suffered enormous numbers of casualties. As a result, the Germans halted their advance and regrouped. This map depicts the Western Front on July 15, 1918 CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Hamel July 4, 1918 In the Battle of Hamel, Allied forces under Lieutenant General Josh Monash’s command utilized new tactics that enabled them to win the battle within ninety minutes. This battle also featured new technology; soldiers parachuted into enemy grounds. This took their adversaries by surprise and disrupted the Central Powers’ defensive strategy. In addition, Allied forces coordinated their attacks to weaken the Central Powers’ defenses. American and Australian soldiers prepare for battle in the trenches. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Second Battle of Marne July 15–August 5, 1918 The Second Battle of Marne was the last major offensive along the Western Front. The French countered the German advance. More than 168,000 German soldiers were killed. The Army of the Allied Powers continued to launch attacks on the Germans and forced they to retreat. The German defeat halted a planned German invasion of Flanders. The Allied Powers are indicated with green; the Central Powers are indicated with orange. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Amiens August 8–11, 1918 The Battle of Amiens began the Hundred Days Offensive, an Allied Powers’ effort to end World War I quickly. During this battle, many German soldiers surrendered. In addition, the Allied Powers advanced seven miles on the first day of the battle. Erich Ludendorff, a Central Powers commander, stated that this battle was a “black day of the German Army.” The battle also ended trench warfare on the Western Front. Amiens, 1918 CICERO © 2008

BATTLES The Meuse-Argonne Offensive September 26–November 11, 1918 Also known as the Battle of the Argonne Forest, this was the final offensive of World War I. The United States, along with the Allied Powers, organized an offensive of three phases. In each phase the Allies would push back the German army until it was decimated. These phases continued until the Germans surrendered, and the Allied Powers were victorious. Hill 223 was one of the areas the Allied Powers Army captured during this offensive. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Canal du Nord September 27, 1918 The Battle of Canal du Nord was one of the battles during the Hundred Days Offensive. During this battle, four divisions of the Canadian Corps attacked the Germans. Their attack surprised and quickly defeated the German forces. Many German defending the Canal du Nord retreated, were captured, or killed. The Allied victory at Canal du Nord created a decisive opening for the march into Cambrai. Canadian engineers built a bridge across the Canal du Nord. CICERO © 2008

BATTLES Battle of Vittorio Veneto October 23–November 3, 1918 The Italian army was successful in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. This Italian victory caused the collapse of the Austrian-Hungarian army. With the Austrian-Hungarians defeated, the Italian Front of World War I was closed. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was also destroyed. With its greatest ally defeated, Germany had no military support to open another front to the south. Battle of Vittorio Veneto in northeastern Italy CICERO © 2008

ARMISTICE ENDS THE WAR After a three days of negotiations, representatives of the Allied Powers and Germany signed the armistice on a railway carriage in Compiegne Forest on November 11, The expression “the eleventh of the eleventh of the eleventh” is derived from this date. The armistice went into effect at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. According to the armistice, German troops were to leave Belgium, France, and the eastern bank of the Rhine. The remainder of the German fleet was forced to surrender its weapons and ships to the Allied Powers. Germany also was forced to renounce its peace treaties with Russia and Romania. The armistice was reached on November 11, CICERO © 2008

THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES David Lloyd George (United Kingdom), Vittorio Orlando (Italy), Georges Clemenceau (France), and Woodrow Wilson (United States) The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I. It was signed on June 28, 1919, at the Paris Peace Conference even though the armistice had been in place since November 11, Germany and its allies were required to accept full responsibility for World War I. Germany was required to disarm and concede any territorial gains made during the war. In addition, Germany was required to pay reparations to any countries it damaged during the war. CICERO © 2008

AFTERMATH OF WORLD WAR I future Chancellor of Germany, Adolf Hitler In the aftermath of World War I, other conflicts that were a direct result of the war took place. Germans believed the Treaty of Versailles was unfairly punitive. Adolf Hitler gained popularity in Germany when he urged Germans to fight the injustices imposed on them after World War I. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire caused conflicts as nations sought to control territory in the Middle East. These conflict would intensify throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century. CICERO © 2008