World War I

1. World War I F. How did the war on the Eastern Front differ from that on the Western Front (1914-15)? G. What made World War I more devastating than any previous wars? W.24 Trace the principal theaters of battle, major battles, and major turning points of World War I. W.25 Analyze the importance of geographic factors in military decisions and outcomes. W.28 Explain the nature of the war and its human costs (military and civilian) on all sides of the conflict, including unprecedented loss of life from prolonged trench warfare.

2. F. How did the war on the Eastern Front differ from that on the Western Front (1914-15)? • The Western Front: • The Schlieffen Plan: Germans would move through Belgium and attempt to encircle Paris to quickly end the war on that front. • Outcome: French rushed fresh soldiers to front line in over 2,000 taxi cabs. Led to the Battle of Marne (September 6-10, 1914) a few miles outside of Paris. The French stopped the German advance. • Over the next year, a series of trenches would be built by both sides from the English Channel to Switzerland. • This led to a stalemate over the next 4 years.

3. F. How did the war on the Eastern Front differ from that on the Western Front (1914-15)? • The Eastern Front: • Instead of bogging down in one location, the Eastern Front was fought in many different locations. • After the Russians moved into Germany, they were heavily defeated in two battles. • Battle of Tanneburg (August 30, 1914) • Battle of Masurian Lakes (September 15, 1914) • After these two battles, the Russians were of little threat to Germany.

4. F. How did the war on the Eastern Front differ from that on the Western Front (1914-15)? • The Eastern Front continued: • Austria fared less well at first. • They were defeated by the Russians at the Battle of Galicia. • As a result of that battle, Austria was forced out of Serbia. • The Italians attacked Austria in May, 1915, and joined the Allies. Italy initially fear French control of the Mediterranean, but as the war progressed, feared a victorious Austria more.

5. F. How did the war on the Eastern Front differ from that on the Western Front (1914-15)? • The Eastern Front continued: • Germany would come to the aid of Austria, and force the Russians back into their own territory. • The Russians had suffered 2.5 million casualties at this point, almost completely knocking them out of the war. • Bulgaria would join the Axis powers in 1915. The three countries would defeat and knock Serbia out of the war. • With Russia weakened, more troops could be sent to focus on the Western Front.

8. G. What made World War I more devastating than previous wars? • Trench Warfare: • Trenches were protected by barbed-wire and machine gun artillery located behind the trench. • Opposing trenches were located anywhere from 30 yards to 300 yards apart. • Trenches gave the defending side the advantage. At the time, the offensive side didn’t have the fire power to advance past trenches. • The area in between was known as no-man’s land.

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18. G. What made World War I more devastating than previous wars? • Trench Warfare continued: • Any attempt to enter no-man’s land would usually result in numerous deaths. • Millions of soldiers died in this manner. • In a ten month span in Verdun, France, over 700,000 men died between the trenches. • This led to what is called a war of attrition, or (in this case) a war in which the offense continues to bombard a few spots in the defense until it finally weakens, or they run low in soldiers.

19. Daily Assignment • Describe the “Race for the Sea” • Describe life in trenches? What were some of the dangers? • Did trenches favor the offensive side or defensive? Why? • Explain how trench warfare led to what is known as a “war of attrition”?

20. G. What made World War I more devastating than previous wars? • Aircraft • By the end of 1915, airplanes were being used to scout the enemy's position. • They eventually progressed to attacking the oppositions communication systems. • When air to air combat began, pilots would use pistols to fire upon one another. Eventually, machine guns would be mounted to the nose of the planes.

22. G. What made World War I more devastating than previous wars? • Aircraft continued: • The Germans began using zeppelins, or giant hot-air balloon like airships. • Zeppelins were used to bomb London, but caused little damage. • Zeppelins were phased out by the German’s after enemies found out they were filled with hydrogen gas, began shooting them, and watching them erupt in flames. • Side note: tear gas started being used in 1916.

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25. World War I I. Why did the war widen to become a world conflict? -Who became involved and when? J. Describe the impact of Total War W.24 Trace the principal theaters of battle, major battles, and major turning points of World War I. W.25 Analyze the importance of geographic factors in military decisions and outcomes. W.28 Explain the nature of the war and its human costs (military and civilian) on all sides of the conflict, including unprecedented loss of life from prolonged trench warfare.

26. I. Why did the war widen to become a world conflict? • The stalemate on the Western Front created a need for more soldiers. • In addition to more soldiers, additional countries also brought funds, production, and more war goods.

27. J. Who became involved and when? • Central Powers were joined by: • Ottoman Empire (October 1914): joined due to recruitment by Germans and the success of the Central Powers. There were also disputes over waterways with Russia. The name Triple Alliance started being used again. • Bulgaria (1915): major trade partners with Austria and Germany

28. J. Who became involved and when? • 1917: Lawrence of Arabia (T.E. Lawrence) was living in the Middle East at the time, convinced Arab kings to revolt against the control of the Ottoman Empire, thus weakening the region. • By 1918, British troops from Egypt, India, Australia, and New Zealand had been mobilized to destroy the Ottoman Empire.

29. J. Who became involved and when? • Due to Germany’s preoccupation in Europe and weak navy, Japan (British ally since 1902) and Australia began seizing German colonies in the Pacific, including New Guinea. • The United States attempted to remain neutral. However, it was Germany’s use of unrestricted submarine warfare that led them into the war.

30. J. Who became involved and when? • Upon the British and Germans both blockading one another, the Germans began sinking nearly every British ship they crossed, whether military or passenger. • In May 1915, the Germans sunk the British passenger ship Lusitania. Approximately 1,100 civilians, including 100 Americans died. • In order to avoid antagonizing the U.S. more, the Germans suspended their unrestricted warfare.

31. J. Who became involved and when? • By January 1917, the Germans felt as though they could starve the British into submission by re-establishing the blockade and their use of unrestricted submarine warfare. • The final straw for the United States was the Zimmerman note. • The United States joined the war in April 1917. Although not sending a large amount of troops until 1918, the entry was considered a financial and psychological boost.

32. K. Describe the impact of Total War • Total War: A war that affects nearly all citizens of the warring nations. • How did it affect them? 1. Increased government power and control • Tens of millions were drafted • Planned Economies: • Governments set prices, wages, and production • This included rationing food and fuel • Controlled imports and exports

33. K. Describe the impact of Total War • 2. Manipulation of Public Opinion • Government limited freedom of speech and right to protest as citizen morale decreased. • In authoritarian countries (Germany, Russia, Austria), force was used to quiet the citizens. • In other countries (Great Britain), laws were passed to allow those who protested to be arrested as traitors. • 3. Outbreak of Influenza • Soldiers returning from was likely brought different strains of the flu back with them. Over 50 million people worldwide died from the flu.