The Great War

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….

Kaiser Wilhelm II

“You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees!!”

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!!!!”

Russian

Revolution of 1917

Jeannette Rankin

• 1st women elected to Congress in United States history.

• Republican from Wyoming.

• Only person in Congress to vote against going to war in WW I (and II).

Communism

Workers of the World UNITE!!

Harlem Hell fighters • An African

American unit attached to the French Army that fought bravely in many battles.

• Awarded medals from the French

Allied Commanders

The Big 4