1. What countries make up the Allied forces?
What countries are the Central Powers?

2. (Caught between a rock and a hard place…)
EARLY CAMPAIGNS
(Caught between a rock and a hard place…)

3. The Schlieffen Plan
Developed by German General Alfred von Schlieffen in the 1800s
He wanted to avoid a “two- front war”
His solution? Send everyone to attack France, defeat them quickly, then send everyone to the Russian border (before Russia could mobilize)

4. (stage one)
French Army

5. Battle of the Marne September 5-12, 1914
Germany pursued French soldiers retreating South, but this left their own flanks open to attack
The French took advantage of the breaks in German lines and attacked from Paris
The Germans were forced to retreat
The Schlieffen Plan was aborted

7. Marne cont.
The Germans retreat only 40 miles, digging in, and setting up trenches at the Aisne River
The French catch up and build their own trenches
Both sides move North, trying to outflank the other, until their trenches extend to the North Sea

8. Why it didn’t work
The problem? Schlieffen died. Later generals “watered down” the plan.
Germany attacked France through Belgium and got within 30 miles of Paris
But, Germany didn’t bring enough men to finish the job (left too many men guarding the Russian border)
Turned into a stalemate (tie)

9. Gallipoli Campaign 25 April 1915 – 9 January 1916
Britain attacked the Ottoman Empire (OE)
Allies want to open the strait to secure sea access to Russia and capture Constantinople – the Ottoman capital
Ends in terrible defeat for the Allies and massive casualties on both sides
Almost 400,000!!

10. In Summary... Germany attacked France ⇨ stalemate
Russia attacked Germany and A-H ⇨ stalemate
The O.E. attacked Russia ⇨ stalemate
Italy attacked A-H ⇨ stalemate
Britain attacked the O.E. (the Gallipoli Campaign) ⇨ stalemate

11. Stalemates

12. WESTERN FRONT