WWI Overview

Underlying Causes of War Imperialism Leads to rivalries among European nations** Militarism Aggressive military build-ups in preparation for war** Nationalism 1) A nation doing what is in its best interest 2) minorities in nations with diverse populations wanted independence Alliances Nations bound to come to one another's aid**

The Spark that began the War Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophie travelled from Austria-Hungary to Sarajevo, Bosnia Bosnia was a new province within the Austro-Hungarian Empire The first assassination attempt by the Black Hand** failed Gavrilo Princip later pulled out his pistol and shot the Archduke and his wife

Chain Reaction Bosnia was the center of a nationalist dispute between Austria-Hungary (A-H) and Serbia A-H believed that Serbia was behind the Archduke's assassination Following an ultimatum, A-H declares war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. On July 29, Russia, Serbia's ally and protector, starts mobilization for war Germany, A-H's ally demanded that Russia stop mobilization Russia refused, leading to Russia's ally, France to begin mobilization In response, Germany began mobilizing. On August 1st Germany declared war on Russia.

Germany's plan Germany had long been planning its war strategy Geography- located between France on the West and Russia on the East To avoid being trapped, Germany followed its Schlieffen plan** To get to France as quickly as possible, Germany cut through Belgium**

Alliances in WWI Neutral Powers Central Powers Allied powers Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and Albania Central Powers Germany, A-H, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Allied powers Russia, France, Serbia, and Great Britain As well as Belgium, Italy, Greece, Romania, Portugal, and all colonial holdings

Image of WWI Allies

Stalemate Both sides mistakenly believed the war would be over in 6 weeks German advance brought them within 30 miles of Paris when the French and British held tem off in the Battle of the Marne At this point both sides dug in, and the war became defensive with the strategy of trench warfare

An image of soldiers going "over the top" The British government wanted to encourage men to enlist for war. They said the war would be safe, hardly any fighting, a good lark and over by Christmas. They used advertising posters to encourage this idea. An image of soldiers going "over the top"

The reality of ‘going over the top’ was very different.

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

Posters always showed men ready and willing to fight. They never showed the boredom of the trenches or actual fighting taking place. Why do you think the government showed no fighting?

Mass Devastation

Freezing Winters

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.

Trench Foot

Modern Warfare Rifles- Bolt Action Rifle Pistols Artillery- mounted field guns used in trenches Bayonets- used by the French Torpedoes Flame Throwers Mustard and Chlorine Gas Smokeless gunpowder U-Boats Zeppelins- blimps Tanks- Airplanes Grenades Trench Mortars

Effects of New Technology Offensive attacks into no-man’s land were very costly The British lost 20,000 men in 1 day of combat at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 Morale plummeted Soldiers began burning fields, killing livestock, and poisoning wells to try to bring a quick end to the war German submarines attacked any ship they believed to be bringing weapons to the allies A British naval blockade slowly starved the German people There would not be a quick end to the war

American Response More than 1/3 of the nation’s 92 million people were first or second generation immigrants** A majority of Americans favored the allies because they feared Germany’s intense militarism On August 4, 1914, President Wilson declared the United States and neutral nation** However, by the summer of 1916, the “preparedness movement” led to a great number of trained soldiers and increased military funding.

German Submarine Warfare Unterseeboot- U-Boats- could go undetected and attack merchant ships May 7, 1915 Lusitania is sunk- 128 Americans killed** Wilson urged Germany to stop using Submarine Warfare and make reparations to the families** March 24, 1916, Germany sank the Sussex and the U.S. threatened to cut of diplomatic ties to Germany February 1, 1917, Germany violated the Sussex Pledge by resuming unrestricted submarine warfare Feb. 3rd, U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Germany and Wilson asked Congress for permission to arm merchant ships

Zimmerman Telegram British intercepted message from Germany to Mexico “We shall endeavor to keep the United States neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance….Make war together, make peace together, …and …Mexico is to reconquer the the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona Led U.S. public opinion closer to war**

The War Resolution Germany sank 3 U.S. ships, the City of Memphis, Illinois, and Vigilancia, between March 16th and March 18th March 20, Wilson’s Cabinet unanimously voted for war On April 2, he made his war message to Congress The resolution passed 82 to 6 in the Senate and 373 to 50 in the house. Wilson signed the resolution on April 6, 1917 and the United States entered WWI