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Aim: How was WWI Different from Previous Wars?
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1914
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I Worldwide involvement
1st time in world history that all major nations were involved in a war.
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Brazilian Cavalry WWI
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British Indian Sepoys WWI 1916
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II A New Kind of War A) New technologies were used
1. Machine guns 2. Tanks 3. Flame throwers 4. Depth-charge (deep water) torpedoes 5. Barbed wire 6. Airplanes and air traffic control 7. Poison Gas 8. Air craft carriers B) Trench Warfare was used on an unprecedented scale.
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“Trench foot” = when the feet would begin to rot and decay due to exposure to water and cold
If infected could lead to gangrene
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Trench Warfare: Opposing armies conduct battle, at relatively close range, from a series of ditches dug into the ground. It becomes necessary when two armies face a stalemate, with neither side able to advance and overtake the other.
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III The Schlieffen Plan 1914
The Schlieffen Plan was 1st proposed in 1905 by Alfred von Schlieffen, chief of the German general staff, to allow Germany to wage a successful 2-front war. The plan was heavily modified by Schlieffen’s successor, Helmuth von Moltke. Moltke’s changes in 1914 (including a reduction in the size of the attacking army) were blamed for Germany’s losses.
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IV The US Entered the War
At the start of WWI, US president Woodrow Wilson pledged neutrality. Tensions arose when Germany tried to quarantine Britain, an American ally. 1915 Germany announced unrestricted warfare against all ships (even neutral ones) near Britain. On May 7, 1915 the British Lusitania was torpedoed without warning off the coast of Ireland. Of the 2,000 passengers aboard, 1,201 were killed, including 128 Americans. April 6, 1917 the US formally entered the war. As there were only approximately 100,000 American soldiers ready, the US adopted a policy of conscription (a draft).
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Lusitania
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A Russian poster to buy Russian War Bonds
V WWI Propaganda A Russian poster to buy Russian War Bonds
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VI Women and WWI A) After the US entered the war in 1917, women supported the war effort in numerous ways; such as by selling war bonds. B) During the war women served in the navy and marines, and as nurses. On the home front, women worked in factories and in the government. C) WWI led to several important advances for women. It increased support for women’s suffrage (the right to vote) passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
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VII German Problems Spring Offensive March 1918 The mission was to penetrate the Western Front at its weakest points. By July 1918 the assault had lost momentum; Germany had lost almost one million men in a six month period. Domestic Problems Winters , little food in German cities. The British naval blockade of German ports halted food imports. Loss of Germany’s allies autumn Berlin’s largest ally in the Balkans, Bulgaria, signed an armistice with the Allies September 29th 1918. Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef died November His successor, Charles I, abdicated Nov 2018 over both kingdoms, abolishing the empire. November 1918 Wilhem I (emperor of Germany) abdicated after he lost the loyalty of the military.
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Spring Offensive 1918 Private of the Royal Irish Rifles, taken prisoner by the Germans, April 1918.
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Ottoman Janissaries WWI
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HW Questions How was WWI different from previous wars?
Which technologies were most vital to WWI warfare? Which key events led to Germany losing? Does WWI deserve to be called the “Great War”? Extra Credit: Read OR watch an interview with an allied AND a Central Powers soldier about their experiences. Write a short summary for each and your reaction. Cite all sources using MLA.
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Key Vocabulary Lusitania Schlieffen Plan Spring Offensive 1918
Trench Warfare
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