The Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back

1. The Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back The Powder Keg Ignites 1914 • JUNE 28th • JULY 28th AUG. 3rd AUG. 4th • AUG. 1st

2. Franz Ferdinand Assassinated • Archduke • Ferdinand • Assassinated • June 28th, 1914, Franz Ferdinand was murdered • He was the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne • Was killed by a Serbian nationalist (Gavrilo Princip) in Bosnia • Princip was a member of the Black Hand • What's the big deal about a Serbian killing the heir to the Austrian throne?

3. Austria Wants Revenge • Archduke • Ferdinand • Assassinated • Austria wants to teach Serbia a lesson • 1. Austria asked Germany if they would back them up in punishing Serbia • Germany said YES…WHY? Germany and Austria are allies in the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.)

4. War Declared • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia • Archduke • Ferdinand • Assassinated • Austria sent Serbia an • A set of demands that if not met would  to war • Serbia agrees to the demands but Austria wanted to punish them still. • July 28th 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia

5. Russia Honors It’s Promises • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia • Archduke • Ferdinand • Assassinated • Russia announced it would back Serbia, to make up for previously backing down in 1908. • Russia began to mobilize: prepare for war • Problems for Russia: such a largecountry that it was hard to get everybody in the proper position.

6. Two-Front War • Germany declares war on France • Germany declares war on Russia • Archduke • Ferdinand • Assassinated • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia • There is a chain reaction • 1. Germany declares war on Russia. WHY? Triple Alliance= Germany is Austria’s ally • 2. Germany declares war on France. WHY? Triple Entente =France and Russia are allies • Bismarck’s nightmare had come true: Germany now faced a two-front war.

7. Germany’s Attack Plan • Schlieffen Plan: Germany’s plan to counter a two-front war • *Not to attack France on the German French border (where they would expect an attack) • 1. Instead, a quick attack on France by going through Belgium • 2. When France is defeated, turn towards Russia • *Russia would be slow to mobilize because of their size

8. England to the Rescue • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia • G.B. declares war on Germany • Germany declares war on France • Archduke • Ferdinand • Assassinated • Germany declares war on Russia • G.B. declares war on Germany • G.B. part of what alliance? Triple Entente= its friends with Russia and France • Also G.B had an alliance with Belgium • The world powers are now at war

9. WWI Rival Sides ALLIED POWERS (ALLIES) CENTRAL POWERS What were the two pre-WWI rival alliances? Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance

10. German Victories • What was the Schlieffen Plan? Attack France first and then Russia. • The Schlieffen Plan was working. • France was not expecting an attack through Belgium they were not prepared Germans heading towards Paris • BUT problems will develop

11. Allies Defeat the Germans • What countries are part of the Allies? France, G.B., Russia, Italy • Germany had to send troops to the Eastern Front to fight against Russia • They were not able to get to Paris as quickly as they thought • French soldiers closer to Paris= communication is easier for the French • Allies attack Germany in the Marne River Valley and push the German’s back

12. WWI- A Long War • The German’s first lost of the Western Front ruined the Schlieffen Plan. • Now a long war was to develop on both fronts. • A war of attrition: a war based on wearing the other side down by constant attacks and heavy losses. • No side willing to give up at this time tremendous loss of life and property