World War I A brief overview

Alliance System & Nationalism The Alliance System meant that if war broke in Europe, many countries would soon be involved. People were starting to develop a sense of nationalism that led to them wanting to govern themselves not be governed by an imperial power.

Europe in 1914

Russia had pledged support for Serbia if they were attacked by Austria Serbian Group – The Black Hand assassinate the heir to the Austria throne, Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand. Russia had pledged support for Serbia if they were attacked by Austria Austria attacks Serbia as retaliation for the killing. Germany said they would support Austria if they were attacked by Russia. Britain and France told Russia they would support her if she was attacked by Germany. Outbreak of WWI

The Two Sides CENTRAL POWERS Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Bulgaria ALLIES Britain France Russia Serbia Japan Italy USA

World War One About 70 million soldiers took part in WWI. There had never been a war of this scale before. Various empires collapsed as a direct result of the war including the Ottoman, Russian and Austro-Hungarian ones. The war claimed over 40 million casualties including at least 20 million dead.

New Technology New technology such as machine guns, better artillery, advanced logistics, poison gas, aerial warfare and submarines led to more causalities in the war.

Machine Gun

Submarine

Aeroplanes

The Western Front The Western Front was marked by a system of trenches and fortifications separated by an area known as no man's land. These fortifications stretched more than 600 kilometres.

Life in the Trenches

Other Fronts There was no trench warfare on the Eastern front because of the vast size of the front. This made it very hard to defend. There was also fighting on the Balkan Front, the Middle Eastern Front and the Italian Front; as well as at sea and in the air.

New Zealand involvement in WWI 100 000 New Zealanders fought on the side of the British in WWI. The population of New Zealand at this time was just over 1 million. A total of 18,500 New Zealanders died in or because of the war, and nearly 50,000 more were wounded. Of the total number who died, over 2700 died at Gallipoli, and 12,500 died on the Western Front.

The End of the War The Central Powers began to collapse in October 1918. On 11 November an armistice with Germany was signed in a railroad carriage at Compiègne. At 11 a.m. on 11 November 1918.

The Peace Settlement In June 1919 a peace settlement was finally signed. This was known as the Treaty of Versailles. At the time know one was to know that the origins of World War II would be traced back to this document.