World War 1 : An Overview

WORLD WAR I 1914 – 1918

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Introduction World War I was the result of leaders' aggression towards other countries which was supported by the rising nationalism of the European nations. Economic and imperial competition and fear of war prompted military alliances and an arms race, which further escalated the tension contributing to the outbreak of war. #2

Militarism The menace of the hostile division between the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy) and the Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia) led to an arms race. Acknowledging that Germany was the leader in military organization and efficiency, the great powers of Europe copied the universal conscription, large reserves and detailed planning of the German system. itself.

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Alliances World War I was caused in part by the two opposing alliances developed by Germany. In order to diplomatically isolate France, Bismarck formed the Three Emperor's League in 1872, an alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary. When the French occupied Tunisia, Bismarck took advantage of Italian resentment towards France and created the Triple Alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria- Hungary in 1882.

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Imperialism Countries competed for economic expansion in Africa, Asia and in the Americas

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Nationalism

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Basic representation of the alliances centered on the Balkans.

The Balkans: The “Powder Keg” of Europe

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Bosnian Crisis of 1908Another conflict was incited by the Austria-Hungarian annexation of the former Turkish province of Bosnia in 1908. The Greater Serbian movement had as an object the acquisition of Slavic Bosnia, so Serbia threatened war on Austria-Hungary. Russia had pledged their support to Serbia, so they began to mobilize, which caused Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, to threaten war on Russia. The beginning of World War I was postponed when Russia backed down, but relations between Austria- Hungary and Serbia were greatly strained.

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General Information…

• Started on July 28, 1914• Ended on November 11, 1918

• Almost 8,000,000 dead. *** Russia the most = 1.7 million• Almost 22,000,000 wounded…..

• Map of Europe greatly changed .

Reasons for start of war…

• Extreme nationalism – pride in country

• Imperialism • Militarism – building up military• Alliance system - <KEY REASON>

–European powers formed rival alliances to protect themselves

–PROBLEM? One event could drag all countries involved into a conflict.

The Black Hand..• The main objective of

the Black Hand was the creation, by means of violence, of a Greater Serbia.

• Its stated aim was: "To realize the national ideal, the unification of all Serbs. This organization prefers terrorist action to cultural activities; it will therefore remain secret."

The spark that lit the fuse….

• The one event that started the Great War happened in the Balkans.

• The Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria) was assassinated while visiting Serbia.

• The Black Hand was responsible….

Gavrilo Princip #13

Battle of Verdun• the longest and one of the bloodiest engagements

of World War I. February 1916 – December 1916

• Two million men were engaged.

• The intention of the Germans had been a battle of attrition in which they hoped to bleed the French army white.

• In the end, they sustained almost as many casualties as the French; an estimated 328,000 to the French 348,000.

Map 31.1: Major U.S. Operations in France, 1918

Figure 31.1: Approximate Comparative Losses in World War I

What was the job of George Creel during the war?

His job was to sell America the war.

Creel tried to “whip” up support for Wilson’s ideas

Help US raise money to fight

Election of 1916

“He kept us out of war!!!!”

Cheerful German soldiers on the train to the front

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Advance of French soldiers into the war surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd #21

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German soldiers in their trenches near Antwerp (September 1914) #25

A British trench - the soldier on the right is on guard - the others are resting. #26

German storm troopers running through the barbed wire entanglement #29

German soldiers and horses and mules wearing gasmasks

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German soldiers after rat hunting in their trenches #32

German soldiers lice hunting in the trenches near Reims (1915) #33

TECHNOLOGY IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918

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British Machine Guns

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Indian Gun Crew

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German Artillery

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Allied Howitzer

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A British Tank

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German Zeppelin

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French Spad

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Chlorine Gas

Phosgene Gas Mask #52

Blinded by Mustard Gas

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In the trenches: Infantry with gas masks, Ypres, 1917

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German Dispatch Rider

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German Carrier

Pigeons in Gas Protected

Boxes

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German Radio at the Western Front

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German U-Boat

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