World War I

World War I(1914-1918)Britain threatened by Germanys industrial successGermany felt disrespected by rest of EuropeFrance had old grudge against GermanyRussia felt they had to prove themselves to EuropeGermany builds huge military so other European nations do too= competitionGrowing Rivalries

4 Main Factors led to WWI in Europe:MilitarismAlliance SystemImperialismNationalismThe M.A.I.N Causes of WWIMilitarism policy of building up, glorifying military; belief that only way to guarantee peace is to prepare for warArms race: Countries wanted to prove they had the best military; competition for best weaponsReliance on military strength and building up military size

Militarism

Here comes the BOOM!

Alliance System promises between nations to support each other in case of warMeant that if two nations fought, all of Europe would get involvedMutual defense treaties placed European countries into 2 main groups:Triple AllianceTriple EntenteAlliances

Triple AllianceGermany

Austria-Hungary

Italy

Triple EntenteGreat Britain

France

RussiaMilitary Alliances

Imperialism policy of taking over places and making them into coloniesColonies were exploited for raw materials & to aid in industrializationFrance & Britain colonized most of the world Germany tried gain colonies, which threatened France & BritainTerritorial rivalries:France wanted Alsace Lorraine from GermanyRussia wanted ice-free harbors

Imperialism

Nationalism: cultural identity based on common language, religion, and national symbolsGermany proud of economic & military strengthRussia= Pan-SlavismRussia+SerbiaFrench wanted Alsace-Lorraine backAustria-Hungary feared rebellions

Nationalism

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was visiting Bosnia He was the heir to the throne of Austria-HungaryThis was an area Serbia wanted to join 1914, he was assassinated by a Serbian NationalistThe SPark: Assassination leads to War!!!

Ottoman Empire (Turkey) disbanded & independent nations supported by RussiaAlliance system pulled nations into conflict one by oneIf a nation had sworn to protect another, it had to declare war on that nations enemies

Chain Reaction

Ferdinand assassinated Austria-Hungary declares war on SerbiaRussia mobilized for war Germany declared war on Russia & France (ally)Great Britain aided France & declared war on GermanyGermany thinks France will help Russia, so they launch the Schlieffen Plan

Specific Cause

Strategy & TechnologyGerman plan to quickly defeat France, then focus on RussiaPlan= to take neutral Belgium before Great Britain could mobilizeRussian Army mobilizes quicker than expected German retreatPlan fails, leads to stalemate & trench warfare on Western Front

Schlieffen Plan

FAIL!

Kind of combat on the Western FrontHuge number of deaths, very little movementDefense was best strategyConditions in trenches were terribleTrenches were wet, muddy, cold, and damp, with disease, lice, trench foot, and rats, as well as shell shock

Trench Warfare

Trench Parts

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/wwone_movies/index_embed.shtml

Modern weapons=High casualtiesGermans then Allies used poison gas, tanks, airplanes, & modern submarinesGermany used zeppelins & airplanes w/ machine gunsFlying Aces pilots= dog fights in the skyGerman used U-boat submarines to damage trade & shippingWEAPONS & TechnologyNew weapons played a big role in War

Germany mobilized 13 million soldiersRussia 12 millionBritain 9 millionFrance8.5 millionAustria 8 million

1 in 4 soldiers were killed,even more wounded, lost limbs,vision, mental health, etcThe Great war

British navy blockaded GermanyIn response, Germany practiced unrestricted submarine warfareThis angered many Americans, especially after Germans sank the Lusitania which killed some AmericansUS Entry

To keep the US from entering, Germany tried to get Mexico to attack the USThis was called the Zimmerman TelegramThe US intercepted it, declares war on GermanyBoth sides used propaganda to control public opinionUS Entry

Women stepped in to fill the jobs previously held by me who were now off at warMany women served in military as nursesWomens strength during war time helped them to achieve voting rights after WWIRole of Women

After US entry (1917), Germany & Austria-Hungary are quickly defeatedPresident Wilson issues Fourteen Points, his terms for resolving WWI & future warsArmistice= cease-fire issued & signed agree to stop fightingTreaty of Versailles ends WWIWar ends on Nov. 11 1918The Treaty says that Germany:Must disarm its militaryMust give up landMust pay back money to winning countries

End of the War