World War I

Nationalism in Total War

Europe’s longest sustained peace in centuries

took after the Franco-Prussian War ended in 1871

Industrialization and militarization of major European powers (Great Britain, France, Germany) increased animosity

Tension mounted…

On the Path to Total War

It Begins…

June 28, 1914

Archbishop Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie are assassinated in Sarajevo by Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip

Austria-Hungary retaliates against the nationalist factions in Serbia, and gives the country an ultimatum.

Austria-Hungary (AH) declares war on Serbia

Russia’s treaty with Serbia forces them to declare war on AH

Germany’s alliance with AH forces them to declare war on Russia

France’s alliance with Russia causes them to declare war on Germany

Germany invades Belgium (neutral) for easier access to France

Britain’s treaty with France requires the Commonwealth to declare war on Germany

Things escalate

The Ottoman empire allies with AH and Germany. Japan allies with Britain. Italy (eventually) sides with the GB.

German U-Boats begin a blockade of Great Britain

United States declares its neutrality.

The Lusitania is sunk, killing 128 Americans. U.S. warns them to stop unrestricted sub attacks.

Germany limits attacks temporarily, but restarts in February 1917

U.S. Congress declares war on Germany in April 1917

… and escalate

Battle of Tennenberg: Germany’s most successful battle on

the Eastern Front Poor planning by Russia caused high casualties: almost

250,000 Russian deaths Significant because it reduced support for Russian

involvement in the conflict

Battle of Gallipoli: Allies attempt to take the Gallipoli peninsula from the Ottomans Poor planning led to an unsuccessful campaign

Battle of Verdun: Longest battle of the War Ended in a draw More than one million casualties

Early Major Battles

Why such high casualties?

First mechanized war Artillery, airplanes,

tanks, submarines

Trench Warfare An estimated 1/3 of

Allied casualties took place in the trenches

Disease, infestation caused constant medical issues

The Battle of Passchendaele: Small gains for

the Allies, at a cost of 700,000 lives

The March Offensive: German Blitzkrieg In an attempt to push the British out of France

before they receive U.S. assistance, the Germans begin an aggressive campaign

Artillery cannot keep pace with infantry, so initial success turns into failure with high casualties.

The tide turns…

British on American forces successfully push

back against the German Blitzkrieg on all fronts

Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates the German throne on November 9, 1918

Germany and the Allies sign an armistice on November 11, 1918, effectively ending the war

Resolution

Paris Peace Conference: The Allies establish

the peace terms for the Central Powers through a series of treaties. The Treaty of Versailles: Officially ended the war

with Germany Placed strict economic penalties on Germany

through reparations Restricted size and scope of German military Reestablished borders of 1871, and stripped

Germany of its colonial holdings.

The Aftermath

The League of Nations was established at the

Paris Peace Conference Four “Great Powers” (U.S., Great Britain, France,

Italy) established the League of Nations with the goal of maintaining world peace

Responsible for “managing” the former Ottoman Empire and German colonies

The Aftermath

Peace?

The burden of reparations and domestic problems plagued the new Weimar Republic. Germans blamed the Treaty

of Versailles

The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrew Tsar Nicholas II. Gained support because of

Russia’s involvement in WWI Started to establish

communist government throughout Russia

Gained full control of the country at the end of the Russian Revolution in 1921

Established the Soviet Union

“The Bolshevik”Boris Kustodiev, 1920

Learning Check: Political Cartoons

Socratic Dialogue

Learning Check: Political Cartoons• What is the main idea of this cartoon?• What do you think is meant by “The Crime of the Ages?"• What other details do you notice in this cartoon?

Learning Check: Political Cartoons• Which countries are represented by the dog and the man in this

cartoon?• What is the cartoon saying about the relationship between these two

countries?

Learning Check: Political Cartoons• What is this cartoon referencing?• What is the cartoonist implying about the event?

Learning Check: Political Cartoons• What part of WWI is this cartoon referencing?• What is this cartoon foreshadowing?