World War I (1914-1918)

The Great War

Europe Changes forever

Intro Video

• Start at 39 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRtdSoeYQYk

The Ism’s

• The world had changed and influence had been put on three things1) Imperialism 2) Militarism 3) Nationalism

1) M.A.I.N.S – Militarism, Alliance System, Imperialism, Nationalism,

Significant People

1-Imperialism

• The movement in the late 19th and early 20th century – To obtain land and expand your empire

• European version of the Manifest destiny

– Countries in Europe had laid claim to area’s all over the world

Imperialism and the Balance of Power

1-Issues of Imperialism

• When nations in Europe claimed their lands it often led to conflicts– Opposing colonizing forces would often fight one

another

– Boer War – occurred in South Africa between the Dutch and the English

2-Militarism

• An expanding German army caused other powers in Europe to take notice – An arms race began in Europe

– Military power was to be shown through army size and new naval tech.

Navy power before and after

Former War ships Dreadnought Class

2-The Dreadnought

• Germany threatened Britain's greatest claim –the strength of their navy

• In response to this action, Britain devolved the Dreadnought –(made all other warships obsolete)

• Britain's navy doubled, as did Germanys, as did France's and so on.

2-Militarism • France’s, Germany’s, Britain's, Russia and

other European nations standing armies doubled

2- Secret alliances

• The nation was entangled in alliances that were unknown to other countries

– Often made to keep other countries from invading seized land

– Scenario..• Japanese-Russo war• Great Britain is an ally of both, who do they support?

3-Nationalism

• Nationalism is the idea that you must band together with people similar to you– The thought that your nation is greater than any

other

– Combined with militarism, this made tensions high in Europe

Alliance Systems.

• Go back to 1860 – During American civil war the states of Prussia

were waging war trying to unite the German Kingdoms

– The succeeded in unifying Germany • Destroyed the balance of power in Europe

– By 1871 had unified and had become one of the international powers

Alliance System

• In 1870 German attacked France for territory – From this point on –Germany and France are

enemies

• To protect itself Germany signed a secret alliance treaty with..– Italy – Austria-Hungary

• The Three were known as the Triple Alliance

Alliance system

• Triple alliance caused fear for Russia – How could Germany expand?

– Both wanted influence in Southeast Europe • Why would this be important for Germany? Russia?

– Russia opposed Austria-Hungary • Slav’s

Alliance System

• As a result France and Russia signed – Franco-Russian Alliance

• Why?

• Due to the Common interest in opposing Germany and A.H.

Alliance System • G.B. Wanted to remain neutral

– Naval Race

• When Germany tried to equal G.B. navy the tensions increased

• Refused to sign a formal alliance with Russian and France but had friendly understanding – “entente cordiale”

Triple Entente

The spark of War

• Archduke of Austria-Hungary

• Target of Serbian assassin group – “The black hand”

• Was touring Bosnian Capital, Sarajevo

Franz Ferdinand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCTIaiiGB4o

Spark of war

• The black hand was brought in to assassinate the archduke– It took place under the knowledge of Serbian

Government – They had hoped that it would start a war

• Hoped to bring down Austro-Hungarian empire

Spark of War

• Austria-Hungary was angered by the assassination

• They decided that Serbia had to be crushed to prevent a Slovak uprising

– however

Spark of War

• A.H. knew that if they attacked Serbia would declare war on A.H.– So they asked for Germany to back their cause --

They agreed

– A.H sent an ultimatum • List of demands

– Austrian control in Serbia – Repayment – Etc…

Sparks of War

• Germany had made it known that it was going to back A.H– Forced them into the war

• Russia informed everyone that they were going to back Serbia– They asked for France’s aid – Fearing Germany, France agreed

The War Begins!

• On August 1st 1914 Germany Declares war on Russia

• Aug. 3rd Germany declares war on France• Aug. 4th Britain declares war on Germany • Aug. 6th A.H. declares war on Russia• Aug. 12th A.H. declares war on GB and France

Kaiser Wilhelm II

• Leader of Germany during World War One

Von Schlieffen plan

• Germany’s Ultimate Idea• Through a series of invasions they would blitz

through France and Capture Paris in a matter of days

• There were a few problems with the plan however– Russia had mobilized their army faster than Germany

expected (had to remove troops from A. to B.)

Von Schlieffen Plan

• German soldiers were to gather on the French German border and rush to Paris– The thought was eliminate France and focus on

Russia• A quick defeat would keep Britain out of the war

• The plan ultimately failed

What are problems with this plan?

World War One

• As soon as Germany stepped foot in Belgium G.B. Declared war on Germany

• The Allied Powers (Allies) were formed (GB, France, Russia, (Italy-1915)

Central Powers

• Germany• A.H.• Ottoman Empire (Turkey)

Von Schlieffen plan fails

• Although the plan seemed to work in the beginning, it was impossible for the northern soldiers to keep up with the southern ones

• Got within 30 miles of Paris but was fought off

• Now what were the armies to do?– They flanked and dug in

Napoleon tactics

• Much Like the civil war, Europe still used the “old style of warfare”

• The idea was to rush the opposition with full frontal attacks

• Bad idea against machine guns

• The two sides constantly tried to outflank one another

Race to the Sea

• The constant flanking moved the war north

• Multiple battles due to constant interaction

• Lead to trench warfare

The Warfare

• The strategy for war had now changed

• Rather than frontal assaults, it had turned into trench warfare – Why?

Trench Warfare

• The race to the sea showed the nations that the nature of war had changed– How?

• They dug themselves into trenches– To avoid what?

A common Trench

Trenches

• The sole purpose of a trench was it offered protection from – Explosives– Machine gun’s– Enemy line of vision – Poison gas?

Advantages of the Trench

• It was very effective in protection– For days, months or even years

• Effectively stopped enemy advances

• Good communication lines, and ability to move from A to B

Negatives of the Trench

• To effective at protection – Any advancement lead to massive amount of

deaths• Were the trenches to effective? Or was it human error?

• Disease – Pest’s– Filthy living conditions

• Shell shock

Death Tolls

• Huge numbers of troops would die as they tried to rush enemy trench

• Constant barrage of bullets• Bodies were left in trenches

Pest and infestation

• With the dead bodies left to rot, pests began to move into the trenches – Rats***

– Often they were hunted down as a source of food• Also for protection for the soldiers

Trench Foot

• Condition in which someone’s foot is wet for too long. – The skin begins to blister, rot and eventually falls

off– Swelling also occurs

– If left untreated for too long, amputation is necessary

Louse

• Small Parasite – Feeds on human blood

Trench Conditions

German Trench Allied Trenches

How did Trench Warfare change the war?

• 1) caused the war to last much longer than anticipated

• 2) made the war more violent – How?

• 3) changed the landscape of Europe forever

New Tech’s

• Machine Gun– Guns that could fire anywhere from 600 to 1,200

shells in a minute • 20 shells a second!

• Known to cut tree’s down

Tanks

• The First Tanks were introduced during WW1 • Primitive, bulky, and mostly ineffective• Usually broke down before it had a chance to

go anywhere

Planes

• Wooden Cloth vehicles – Mainly used to scout – Adapted machine guns

• TRIED to drop bombs late in the war

America Enters the War

• Until 1917, America had a very Isolated view of the war– President Wilson urged American's to stay

Imperial through all this

– Difficult for Americans to do

America choosing sides

• Americans could not keep their interests out of Europe – They were left with a choice

• Central Powers • Allied Powers?

• Who do you think a majority of Americans sided with?

Pro British Sentiment

• Many Americans were very pro-British

– Many of Wilsons Cabinet were pro-British

– They pushed to aid G.B

• Great Britain used propaganda to try and influence America into the war

America pulled into the war

• Germany knew that if they could stop American Trade to G.B. they could force them out of the war– Announced they would sink any vessel in G.B.

waters – Angered U.S.A– (Unrestricted Submarine Warfare)

• What is this?!

The Lusitania

• British Passenger Liner • Entered A war-zone

– Fired on by German U-Boat • Kills 1,200 passengers (128 americans)

• Americans viewed it as an act of terrorism not war –but America was very much so angered

Other events

• The sinking of the Sussex – Another merchant ship sunk by German U-boat

• Sussex Pledge – Germany promised to no longer sink citizen ships

without warning • Wanted to keep US out

Zimmerman Telegram

• Letter intercepted by British intelligence and published in American newspapers – Stated: to Mexico from Germany – 1) Aid us in war with the United States– 2) in doing so, you will be returned lost lands

• TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA

• Ultimately pushed America into the war

America Declares War

• Feb. 1st 1917 (Germany resumed unrestricted warfare)– Sink 6 American ships in two months

• April 2nd, 1917 – America Declares War– War had been fought already for three years

The American Soldier

“Doughboy”

Getting America Ready for War

• Not all Americans were sold on the war– Committee on Public Information (CPI)– Their goal was to sell the war to the American

Public • Actors, Song writers, Authors and others with a voice

were recruited to paint a positive image of war

• Are the same practices used today?

American Propaganda

Troubles at home

• Espionage (Spying) was a major fear of the USA– Espionage Act (1917) made to allow prison terms

to ones found guilty

– Sedation Act (1918) made it illegal to speak negatively about the war

• Or anyone who talked badly about the president! • 1,000 convictions

German Americans

• At this time in history—hard place to live for German-Americans– some were beaten for their heritage – One was lynched for “seeming” disloyal

– Other common things changed as well

American Pride

• Sauerkraut was changed to …

Liberty Cabbage

• Hamburgers were changed to…

Salisbury Steak

Limitation of Free Speech

• Schenk vs. The US– Stated that free speech could be restricted if it

posed a danger to America

– 1st amendment states: “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech”

• What do you think about this?

America Enters / Russia Leaves

• When America was deploying, Russia Dropped out of the war– Why?

• Here is a hint

To

Bolsheviks

• Czar Nickolas II -- former leader of Russia– Abducted his throne (gave up power)

• Vladimir Lenin (leader of Bolsheviks) takes control of Russian Government – Communist Russia is born

Cont…

• Signed a treaty with Germany – Treaty of Brest-Litovsk – Gave them land for Germany to remove troops

that remained in Russian Territory

Why did America get involved?

• Yes they wanted to support GB and France, but not the biggest issue – Yes they were attacked – Yes they were plotted against

• The Biggest reason however was for Economical Reasons– US had so much Invested in GB and France (Trade

and Stock)

Effect America had on Europe

• Ally’s moral was low– America’s entry sparked a fighting sprit– Likewise, lowered the moral of the Central Powers

• All but spelled doom for Germany and Central Powers• Had to do something drastic

• Germany Makes a final offensive, but ultimately fails

Battle of Argonne Forest

• German Attack stalled

• USA and French launch massive counter attack• 600K Troops, 40K tons of Supplies, 4K artillery

pieces

• Started on September 26th, 1918 – Slowly but surely, America and France advanced

through German Lines

The War Comes to an End

• As war raged on the Western Front (France-German boarder) A.H and O.E. Surrender and leaves Germany Alone

• With a naval Mutiny influence reaching Berlin, an uprising begins

• Kaiser Wilhelm is forced to step down

Germany Surrenders

• On the 11th day, on the 11th hour, in the 11th month Germany Surrenders (1918) – How long was the war?

• Germany Signed an Armistice (cease fire)

A Flawed Peace • In January 1919 a peace conference began in Paris to

resolve the issue of WW1

• The big four were present – 1) USA – Wilson– 2) Great Britain – David Lloyd – 3) France – Clemenceau – 4) Italy – Orlando

• Germany was not Present – Does this seem fair?

Wilson’s 14 points

• At the conference President Wilson presented his 14 point plan– Wanted to eliminate the general causes of the

war– Disarmament – Freedom of the sea’s

• The biggest point however was his idea for the –League of Nations

The 14th point

• The league of nations was Wilson’s brainchild – Nations would preserve peace

– They would also prevent events leading to other wars

– And act as protectors of other’s territories

Rejection

• The conference in Paris ultimately rejected the Wilson’s ideas saying – “it was far to easy on Germany”

– And “it did not align with our nations interests”

• Is this a precursor for anything in history?

Treaty of Versailles

• Despite Wilsons hopes, Germany signed a document that was far to harsh than he preferred

• Under the treaty – Germanys army was stripped – They had to pay reparations (33 Billion) – Made Germany take blame for the war (in hindsight—

worst part of the treaty)• Why?

Broken Peace• This treaty is what lead Germany to allowing A

Fascist government to take control in the 30’s

• It belittled Germany, it caused a lot of resentment

• Resulted in 10+ countries being formed in Europe– Poland– Czechoslovakia

Effect the War had on America

• After the war was over the government released control of the economy they had taken– Rationing ended – Capped prices ended

• Companies began to raise prices and produce more goods– What would this cause?

Effects

• By 1919 Prices had risen by 15%– Increased the cost of living

• (Clothes, Food, Shelter and other essentials)

Inflation leads to strikes

• Seattle General Strike – Shipyard workers *more money less hours* – Was a General Strike

• Workers of the city, not just the industry went on strike

– Paralyzed the city • Americans hated it (COMMON Communist action)

Strikes – Boston Police Strike

• 75% of Boston's Police force walked out on the job– Lead to wide spread rioting and chaos – When Workers tried to return, Police

Commissioner refused to hire them back

– Calvin Coolidge gained political notoriety by solving conflict

Racial Unrest

• White and Black Soldiers—and men—were competing for jobs– Tensions were high between the two

• Over 20 Racial riots in 1919

• In Chicago a riot was started that killed 38 people/ 15 white – 23 Black

The Red Scare

• American’s viewed Communist as enemies – “seemed” unpatriotic

• Many Americans accused immigrants for starting riots in the name of communism

• (Communist International) – organization for coordinating communist activities in other countries

Red Scare

• Wide Spread fear that “Reds” were trying to take over America

• Wide spread bomb attacks to place in America

• One of which took place on US Attorney General Mitchell Palmer

Palmer Raids

• Palmer established special division – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

• Focused their actions on Radical organizations and immigrants

• 500 Deported

Palmer Raids

• Failed to turn up any hard evidence

• Used “dirty cop” techniques – Failed to use warrants and disregarded rights

End of Progressivism

• After Wilsons tenure America elected Warren Harding on the ideas of – Returning America back to “Normalcy”

• This idea ends the progressive age

What are the main points of WW1?