1. Big Questions For the Week: (1) What was the nature of fighting during WWI? (2) What was U.S. national sentiment about the war? (3) What would have motivated an American to fight in this European war? (4) How did WWI come to an end? (5) Why did the “War to end All Wars” have a flawed peace, and what were the consequences of WWI?

2. Article: “Centennial of a Calamity” in the Scientific American 1 – What advances played major roles in this world calamity? 2 – What was the tactical military “countermove” in response to artillery and machine guns? 3 – What were the consequences of the sinking of the Lusitania? 4 – What two calamities eclipsed the First World War?

3. Failure of the Alliance System during the “July Crisis” … Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum … Declarations of War … Multiple, separate wars going on by the fall of 1914, with nations fighting for different reasons … Fighting for the “Balance of Power” …

4. Artillery Fire, Machine Gun, and Trenches Video on trench warfare: http://www.lizcollinshistoryclasses.com/world-war-i.html (1)Describe the importance of military technology: artillery fire, machine guns, planes, tanks, etc. upon WWI. (2)What changed American public opinion?

5. War Begins – The Schlieffen Plan Two Parts: [1] Quick defeat of France, & then [2] Cooperate with Austria-Hungary against Russia

6. “Rape of Belgium” As the German Military moved through Belgium, Belgians resorted to covert attacks on German forces enter Belgium, thus in response, entire civilian populations were punished. Austro-Hungarian Atrocities Committed against the Serbians Austro-Hungarian Empire publicized their executions of Serbian civilians.

7. First Battle of the Marne, Sept. 1914 - German advance stopped, “Race to the Sea” began, as well as trench warfare

8. “Race to the Sea,” Sept – Oct, 1914 - France & Britain, as well as Germany, attempt to outflank each other

9. Battle of Tannenberg, Aug. 1914 - Germans stop the advance of the Russians into Germany, tremendous victory; most importantly, before this battle, Germany has to fortify the Eastern Front Russian POW’s

10. First Battle of Ypres, Oct. – Nov. 1914 - The end of the “Race to the Sea” & trench warfare is established throughout western Europe - Germans use poisonous “chlorine” gas

11. Gallipoli Campaign, Feb. 1915 – Jan. 1916 - British, French, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers attempt to land in Turkey, knock Ottoman-Empire out of the war, and secure supply lines for Russia. - Massive failure for the Allies.

12. Battle of Verdun, Feb. – Dec. 1916 - Massive German attack to break the French will; French lines hold, and this battle is a great symbol of national French resiliency - Longest battle of WWI

13. Battle of The Somme, July. – Nov. 1916 - By the Summer of 1916, the Allied Powers agreed upon a combined offensive. - Allied attempt to relieve pressure on French army at Verdun - British first to use tanks.