world war i: a different kind of war

World War I:

A Different Kind of War

New Military Technology

Trench Warfare

Led to “war of attrition” wearing down;

weakening of resistance

basically – who could outlast whom?

Rapid Fire Machine Guns

Flamethrower

Poison Gas

Submarine Warfare~ led to convoys ~

German U-boat

Mines & Underwater Explosives

Air Fighting & Spying

Zeppelins

Planes

Tanks~ introduced in 1916

By 1918 could cross trenches…

…”broke the western front”

Old Methods of War + New Technology =

HIGH CASUALTIES!

MASS DESTRUCTION!

New Kind of War

First “Total War”War used to be limited and organized

In WWI, all citizens and resources were affected

Showed financial interconnectedness of the world

Nations involved from around the world

ALLIES Australia Belgium British

Colonies Canada &

New-foundland

France French North

Africa French

Colonies Great Britain Greece

CENTRAL POWERS

Austria-Hungary

Bulgaria Germany Ottoman

Empire

India Italy Japan Montenegro New Zealand Portugal Romania Russia Serbia South Africa United States

Took Heroism Out of War The ends were not equal to the means

Obliterated the idea that warfare is gallant and heroic anonymous warfare

War became an entity unto itself “Neither (side) had won, nor could win, the war.

The war had won, and would go on winning.”~ Fussel, pg 13

Loss of Respect for the Enemy

Not gentlemanlyGermany was not allowed to attend the peace negotiations at the end of the war

War becomes the enemy

Forced Military Service

For the first time, men were forced to serve in the military break from tradition break from the gallantry and heroism of choosing to go to war

Use ofPropaganda

Made the war look fun

Break from non-propaganda tradition

Raised level of hatred between nation

SongsPostersPamphletsAdvertisements at movie theaters

Radio broadcastsNews releasesSpeeches

War Impacts Civilians

Civilians Put in Harm’s Way

For the first time, civilians are killed as a regular part of warfareEx: sinking of the Lusitania

Gender Role ReversalWomen work in factoriesWomen given the right to vote

Men come home from war with no jobs

Men come home from war with hysteria (shell shock)

War Impacts the Marketplace

Fixed prices

Fixed wages

Food rations “meatless Tuesdays” “wheatless Mondays and Wednesdays”

World War I:A Different Kind of War

=A Different Postwar

World

TrustVs.

Skepticism

PrideVs.

Humbleness

High Expectations

Vs.Spiritual

Depression

IdealismVs.

Realism

InnocenceVs.

Awareness

“One vast optimistic hope, leading to one

vast ironic catastrophe.”

Reversed Progress

People yearned for “Good Ole Days”

Return to isolationism“Stood too close to the fire and got burned.”

Heroism of the Common Man

Birth of a new kind of heroismOrdinary people with ordinary struggles

Heroes for just survivingGrim determination

Made the U.S. into a World Power

Government stronger

Businesses more respected

“Creditor Nation”

Reflection Writing:Letter

In your letter, discuss World War I in the perspective of someone

who is living through it…FROM:

• German soldier• U.S. soldier• British soldier• Russian soldier• ANY soldier…

• Mother of a soldier• Father of a soldier•Girlfriend of a soldier• News/military

analyst• Politician (any side)

• You choose…

TO: • ANY soldier…

• Mother• Father

• Girlfriend•Military commander• Newspaper/radio

station• Politician (any side)

• You choose…