1. An Overview of the Great War

2. The Four Phases of World War I
1914
The War of Illusions
1915
Stalemate and Stagnation
The Great Slaughter
Revolution and Peace

3. 1914: The War of Illusions
This was the first general war to break out for a century (not localized).
Recent wars (such as Franco-Prussian of and Russo-Japanese of ) had been fought between industrializing states; but never before had there been a conflict between all of the industrialized nations of Europe.
Everyone grossly underestimated the time and exertions needed to win this type of war.
When the war began, millions rushed to join the adventure fearing that they would be left out at their chance for manly glory. Besides, it would all be over by Christmas.
For the French, this was a chance to avenge the loss of Alsace-Lorraine in the after losing to the Germans in 1871.
Most Germans in the cities were enthusiastic for the war while those in the countryside were less enthusiastic about fighting for Kaiser and country.

4. 1914: The War of Illusions Troop strengths in 1914
-Germany: strongest and best trained army in Europe with 840,000 men (over 4 million with reserves); all men under the age of 45 had military experience.
-France: counting reserves and colonial troops, France had 3,680,000 soldiers
-Britain: only European power to have an all volunteer force; 247,000 active regulars and 218,000 reservists
-Russia: poorly trained and slow to mobilize but the largest standing army in the world with 1,423,000 men; with reserves, 3,115,000 soldiers
-United States: all volunteer force of 200,000 men and 9,000 officers

5. Enlisting Kitchener’s Army -100,000 volunteers requested
- “Pals Battalions” formed
- 2.5 million volunteer by 1916
-1916 draft for single men
18-41
Annie Howell, Gas mask factory worker, Bermondsey. Child during much of war.

6. Enlisting Central London Recruiting Depot, August 1914
Reginald Haine, Captain, Royal Naval Division. Served Ypres, the Somme, and Arras. Awarded Victoria Cross, 1917.

7. Enlisting
Enthusiasm for war ran high among the Central Powers as well. Note the young Austrian (inset) at this Munich rally who seems to be quite excited about the news of the declaration of war with Russia.

8. Selling the War

9. Selling the War

10. Selling the War

11. Helen Clarke, “Your King and Country Want You” (Rubens)
(1914)
We've watched you playing cricket
And every kind of game;
At football, golf, and polo
You men have made your name.
But now your country calls you
To play your part in war,
And no matter what befalls you,
We shall love you all the more.
Oh, come and join the forces
As your fathers did before.
Chorus (sung twice after each verse)
Oh, we don't want to lose you
But we think you ought to go,
For your king and your country
Both need you so.
We shall want you, and miss you
But with all our might and main
We shall cheer you, thank you, kiss you,
When you come back again.

12. Selling the War

13. Selling the War

15. Selling the War

16. Selling the War

17. Selling the War

18. Selling the War

19. Selling the War

20. Selling the War

21. “Why are you fighting?”