Topic: World War I Aim: How did trench warfare and new weapons affect fighting in World War I? Do-now: Military Deaths Pie Chart Homework: Complete questions based on reading

Why was WWI unique? WWI was unique for many reasons. WWI was the first total war of the 20 th century –Total war: an international war where all of a country’s resources are used to destroy another country WWI was also known as “The Great War,” and the “war to end all wars” –Due to the new war strategies and weapons

Trench Warfare Central and Allied forces used deep ditches to defend their positions Trenches stretched miles across Western Europe Trenches were cold, wet, and dirty Diseases easily spread in the trenches Trenches ranged from small to complex networks with rooms

U-boats (Submarines) Germany’s fleet of U-boats were the largest and most advanced They attacked Allied shipping across the Atlantic, a major cause of U.S. entry to war German attacks on Allied ships severely hurt the supply of weapons and ammunitions to the Allies

Tanks Tanks were introduced during WWI at Battle of Somme Designed to combat trench warfare The first tanks were tough and could cause heavy damage –Especially across no mans land/ trenches They were also slow and hard to maneuver

Machine Guns Machine guns were greatly improved during WWI, much more efficient, cooling continued to be an issue They were used in the trenches and on airplanes rounds per minute, more than 50 riflemen

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Poison Gas Chemical warfare was introduced during WWI, first used by Germany, but used by all in war Poison gases –Chlorine gas and phosgene gas—attacked lungs –Mustard gas—blistered inside and out Poison gas would destroy the lungs –Killing the soldier slowly & painfully Gas masks were protection, improved during war

The Airplane Zeppelins first aircraft used—spying WWI first war that included use of planes Originally, Allied and Central Powers used airplanes for spying, later used as weapons Machine guns were added to shoot down enemy planes and strafe ground

Other Weapons Flamethrower—used to combat trenches Grenades Trench mortars All the new and improved weapons made killing much more efficient— changed warfare as the world knew it