World War I Causes of the war Europe at its peak –Industrial Revolution at its peak –Major increase in steel and coal production –Europe had 25% of world.

World War IWorld War I

Causes of the warCauses of the war


Europe at its peakEurope at its peak– Industrial Revolution at its peakIndustrial Revolution at its peak– Major increase in steel and coal production Major increase in steel and coal production – Europe had 25% of world population-highest Europe had 25% of world population-highest

percent of any time in historypercent of any time in history– Modernization led to sense that Europeans Modernization led to sense that Europeans

were at the peak of civilizationwere at the peak of civilization


Imperial tensionsImperial tensions

European nations competed for coloniesEuropean nations competed for colonies

MilitarismMilitarism

Glorification of war and increase in military Glorification of war and increase in military spendingspending

Germany competed against England’s Germany competed against England’s naval superioritynaval superiority

NationalismNationalism

Great pride in one’s country or aspiring to Great pride in one’s country or aspiring to become one’s own countrybecome one’s own countryGermany and Italy had only recently Germany and Italy had only recently became united, independent countriesbecame united, independent countriesMany countries torn by tensions of Many countries torn by tensions of different nationalist groupsdifferent nationalist groupsCombined with militarism and imperial Combined with militarism and imperial competition, this increased tensions in competition, this increased tensions in EuropeEurope

The System of AlliancesThe System of Alliances

Web of treaties to protect themselvesWeb of treaties to protect themselves

Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and ItalyHungary, and Italy

Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Great Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Great BritainBritain

War Breaks OutWar Breaks Out

Nationalism in the BalkansNationalism in the Balkans– People with diverse religions, ethnic People with diverse religions, ethnic

backgrounds, languagesbackgrounds, languages– As Ottoman Empire receded, new nations As Ottoman Empire receded, new nations

were bornwere born– Russia and Austria competed for control of Russia and Austria competed for control of

new nationsnew nations– Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia in 1908 and Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia in 1908 and

Serbia resents this resents this

The Assassination of the ArchdukeThe Assassination of the Archduke

Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria visited Bosnian capital on June 28, 1914visited Bosnian capital on June 28, 1914

7 assassins from the black Hand, A 7 assassins from the black Hand, A Serbian nationalist group, plot against himSerbian nationalist group, plot against him

19-year-old Gavrilo Princip shot the 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip shot the Archduke and his wifeArchduke and his wife

Austria-Hungary’s UltimatumAustria-Hungary’s Ultimatum

Germany gave “blank check” of military Germany gave “blank check” of military support to Austria-Hungarysupport to Austria-Hungary

Austria-Hungary’s severe ultimatum to Austria-Hungary’s severe ultimatum to SerbiaSerbia

Serbia refuses to let Austria-Hungary’s Serbia refuses to let Austria-Hungary’s officials run an investigation in Serbiaofficials run an investigation in Serbia

Austria-Hungary declared war on serbia Austria-Hungary declared war on serbia on July 28, 1914on July 28, 1914

The Alliance System Leads to warThe Alliance System Leads to war

Russia supported Serbia and Germany Russia supported Serbia and Germany supported Austria-Hungarysupported Austria-Hungary

Within one week, almost all of Europe Within one week, almost all of Europe plunged into war:plunged into war:– Germany declares war on Russia and FranceGermany declares war on Russia and France– Britain declares war on GermanyBritain declares war on Germany

Alliances and Fronts of the WarAlliances and Fronts of the War

The AlliancesThe Alliances

Triple Entente-Britain, France, Russia, Triple Entente-Britain, France, Russia, BelgiumBelgium

Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman EmpireHungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire

Alliances and Fronts of the WarAlliances and Fronts of the War

The Western FrontThe Western Front– Germany tried to take France quickly in the Western Germany tried to take France quickly in the Western

Front and then turn to fight RussiaFront and then turn to fight Russia– Instead, battle lines formed in northeastern France Instead, battle lines formed in northeastern France

and changed littleand changed little– Long, bloody battles: Verdun - 680,000 casualties; Long, bloody battles: Verdun - 680,000 casualties;

Somme – over one million casualtiesSomme – over one million casualties– Eastern front- lack of modern technology caused Eastern front- lack of modern technology caused

Russia enormous defeatsRussia enormous defeats– Treaty signed with revolutionary government in Treaty signed with revolutionary government in

Russia- lost one-fourth of countryRussia- lost one-fourth of country

Battle SceneBattle Scene

http://youtu.be/gPtVNDvwGMo

Fronts of the WarFronts of the War

The Balkan Front- Allies abandoned attempts to The Balkan Front- Allies abandoned attempts to land in Balkans after losingland in Balkans after losing

Italian Front- Italians joined the Triple Entente in Italian Front- Italians joined the Triple Entente in 1915 and fought Austria-Hungary1915 and fought Austria-Hungary

The War EndsThe War Ends– Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire were first Central Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire were first Central

Powers to be defeatedPowers to be defeated– Revolts inside Austria-Hungary and Germany helped Revolts inside Austria-Hungary and Germany helped

end the war quicklyend the war quickly

New Weapons Used in the WarNew Weapons Used in the War

The Machine GunThe Machine Gun– Modern industry replaced the single-fire, Modern industry replaced the single-fire,

short-range rifleshort-range rifle– British machine guns fired 8 rounds per British machine guns fired 8 rounds per

second, at a distance of 2,900 yardssecond, at a distance of 2,900 yards

ArtilleryArtillery

Greater power and carried much furtherGreater power and carried much further

24 million shells used in the Battle of Verdun24 million shells used in the Battle of Verdun

New WeaponsNew Weapons

Weapons of the Industrial AgeWeapons of the Industrial Age– 75 different types of poison-gas bombs used75 different types of poison-gas bombs used– Flame throwersFlame throwers– TanksTanks– AirplanesAirplanes

Casualties of Modern WeaponryCasualties of Modern Weaponry

Tactics of sending masses of men toward Tactics of sending masses of men toward enemy didn’t work against modern weapons enemy didn’t work against modern weapons

New WeaponsNew Weapons

Britain suffered 57,470 casualties on the Britain suffered 57,470 casualties on the first day of the Battle of the Sommefirst day of the Battle of the Somme

Total losses for World War exceeded 10 Total losses for World War exceeded 10 millionmillion

The Reality of Soldiers’ LivesThe Reality of Soldiers’ Lives

Patriotic FervorPatriotic Fervor– Many Europeans looked forward to war at the startMany Europeans looked forward to war at the start

Attitudes ChangeAttitudes Change

Soldiers changed Europeans’ optimistic fervor Soldiers changed Europeans’ optimistic fervor through letters about the horrors of warthrough letters about the horrors of war

The Bitter Truth: Soldiers’ PoetryThe Bitter Truth: Soldiers’ Poetry

Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) died a week before the Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) died a week before the war endedwar ended

The Return HomeThe Return Home

No crowds or heroes’ welcome after the warNo crowds or heroes’ welcome after the war

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare

The Race to the SeaThe Race to the Sea– 475 miles of trenches were dug across 475 miles of trenches were dug across

northern Francenorthern France– British troops used over 10 million shovels British troops used over 10 million shovels

during the warduring the warLife in the TrenchesLife in the Trenches

Charging over the top, crossing no man’s land Charging over the top, crossing no man’s land to reach enemy trenchesto reach enemy trenchesBoring, terrifying and caused shell shockBoring, terrifying and caused shell shockHorrible living conditionsHorrible living conditions

Effect of the War on the Home Effect of the War on the Home FrontFront

Mobilizing for Total WarMobilizing for Total War– Civilians back home made huge sacrificesCivilians back home made huge sacrifices– Governments controlled industries, rationingGovernments controlled industries, rationingNew Jobs for WomenNew Jobs for Women

Worked in jobs traditionally held only by men, Worked in jobs traditionally held only by men, who were at the frontwho were at the frontNumber in paid employment rose by over one Number in paid employment rose by over one millionmillionWorked in paramilitary organizations to Worked in paramilitary organizations to support soldiers at the frontsupport soldiers at the front

The Home FrontThe Home Front

Women’s WagesWomen’s Wages– Paid less than men for same workPaid less than men for same work– Industrial and civil work provided better pay Industrial and civil work provided better pay

and working hours than traditional jobsand working hours than traditional jobs

Women’s Changing RoleWomen’s Changing Role

Women discovered the benefits of financial Women discovered the benefits of financial autonomy and greater mobilityautonomy and greater mobility

Some refused to return to domestic serviceSome refused to return to domestic service

Women won right to vote throughout EuropeWomen won right to vote throughout Europe

Paris Peace ConferenceParis Peace Conference

Signed at the Palace of Versailles in Signed at the Palace of Versailles in France on June 28, 1919France on June 28, 1919Was directed by the Big Four- Great Was directed by the Big Four- Great Britain, Italy, France, and the USBritain, Italy, France, and the USWoodrow Wilson hoped his Fourteen Woodrow Wilson hoped his Fourteen Points would establish a “peace of justice”Points would establish a “peace of justice”– To avoid future international crisesTo avoid future international crises– Based upon liberal ideals of self-Based upon liberal ideals of self-

determination and national independencedetermination and national independence

Fourteen PointsFourteen Points

New nations based on ethnic homogeneity New nations based on ethnic homogeneity would need to be formed in Europewould need to be formed in EuropeProposes an international body of Proposes an international body of representatives to solve future conflictsrepresentatives to solve future conflicts– League of NationsLeague of NationsOrlando from Italy opposed the Fourteen PointsOrlando from Italy opposed the Fourteen Points

Wanted secret treaties signed at the beginning of the Wanted secret treaties signed at the beginning of the war honoredwar honoredItaly was promised territory in the eastern Italy was promised territory in the eastern Mediterranean if it came into the war on the Entente Mediterranean if it came into the war on the Entente sideside


Great Britain’s Prime Minister George Great Britain’s Prime Minister George wanted to protect Britain’s overseas wanted to protect Britain’s overseas empireempire

Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany for its part in the war- “peace of for its part in the war- “peace of vengeance”vengeance”

Disagreement among the Big Four led to Disagreement among the Big Four led to Italy abandoning the ConferenceItaly abandoning the Conference


Wilson left Europe without a “peace of Wilson left Europe without a “peace of justice”justice”

Great Britain and France were left to work Great Britain and France were left to work out the termsout the terms

Treaty of Versailles meant to humiliate and Treaty of Versailles meant to humiliate and cripple Germanycripple Germany– Germany must abandon its navyGermany must abandon its navy– Army reduced to 100,000 soldiersArmy reduced to 100,000 soldiers

Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles

Return the region of Alsace-Lorraine to Return the region of Alsace-Lorraine to FranceFranceDisarm the RhinelandDisarm the RhinelandFrance was to receive all coal produced in France was to receive all coal produced in the Saar River valley for 15 yearsthe Saar River valley for 15 yearsGermany must give up all its overseas Germany must give up all its overseas coloniescoloniesGermany had to pay war reparations- Germany had to pay war reparations- eventually set at 32 billion dollarseventually set at 32 billion dollars

Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles

Treaty included a “guilt clause”Treaty included a “guilt clause”

Harsh nature of treaty leads to the rise of Harsh nature of treaty leads to the rise of the Nazi Party in Germanythe Nazi Party in Germany

German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Ottoman empires were goneOttoman empires were gone

New countries- Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, New countries- Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Turkey, Estonia, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Turkey, and Yugoslaviaand Yugoslavia

World War I Causes of the war Europe at its peak –Industrial Revolution at its peak –Major increase in steel and coal production –Europe had 25% of world.

Documents