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Strategy and Warfare of WWI…. The Effects of Technology and Geography on War. Setting the Stage. By the summer of 1914, millions of soldiers from opposing alliances marched off to the battle fronts.
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Strategy and Warfare of WWI… The Effects of Technology and Geography on War
Setting the Stage • By the summer of 1914, millions of soldiers from opposing alliances marched off to the battle fronts. • Expecting a short conflict, many soldiers were shocked to find themselves in the midst of a long, bloody stalemate (deadlock) by fall.
Battle Plan for Central Powers • Facing a war on two fronts, the German General von Schlieffen designed the “Schlieffen Plan”. • The plan called for German forces to quickly attack and defeat French and British forces on the Western Front first, then turn to face the slower Russians on the Eastern Front.
War Plan for Allied Powers • France, Britain and Russia hoped to use their geographic locations to their advantage. • They looked to force Germany and Austria-Hungary to fight a two front war, thus dividing their forces up to do so.
Battle of the Marne 1914 • By early September, Germany swept into France and was camped on the outskirts of Paris. • Calling in all available reinforcements, the Allies regrouped to force the Germans into retreat near the Marne River. • Although it was the first major battle on the Western Front, the Battle of the Marne was perhaps the single most important event of the war.
Failure of the Schlieffen Plan • With early losses on the Western front, Germany knew that it would have to fight the war on two fronts as they hoped to avoid. • As Russian forces moved in from the East, Germany was forced to send troops from the West to the East. The Schlieffen Plan had failed!
Trench Warfare • Definition: Fighting from parallel ditches. • Purpose: To protect soldiers from enemy machine gun and artillery fire.
3 Strategies of Trench Warfare • Bombardment- Attacking enemy trenches at long range with heavy artillery canons and airplanes. • Going “Over the Top”- Sending waves of foot soldiers out of the trenches to take over the enemy trenches. • "Creeping Barrage“- Sending soldiers out behind the fire of guns and artillery (combination of the two).
Difficulties & Dangers of Trench Warfare • Trench Foot • Trench Teeth • Disease • Rats • Dysentery • Limited food/drink • Shell Shock • www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWtrench.htm
New Weapons of WWI • Machine guns • Zeppelins • Heavy Artillery • Submarines/Torpedoes • Flame Throwers • Poisonous Gas • Airplanes • Tanks
Impact of Technology on WWI • All of these improvements in War technology led to increases in death counts. • WWI produced more casualties than any other war up to that point in history!!!
