the outbreak of world war i

The Outbreak of World War I

Militarism

Alliances

Imperialism

Nationalism

Leading up to World War I

Glorification of the military

Leads to increased suspicions between countries & made war more likely

Readiness for war came to dominate national policies

Militarism

Distrust amongst great powers leads to alliances

Intended to create powerful combinations that no one would attack

Two main sets of alliances emerge:Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, ItalyTriple Entente: Great Britain, France, Russia

Alliances

the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries

Why European focus on Imperialism?EconomicPoliticalCultural

Imperialism

Germany: Proud of new military power & industrial leadership

France: wanted to regain position as Europe’s leading power; sought revenge for “lost provinces”

Russia: promoted idea of Pan-Slavism, felt duty to defend all Slavic people

The Balkans: Rising nationalism creates “powder keg in Europe”

Nationalism

June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary assassinated by Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip

“The Spark”

July 28, 1914: Austria declares war on Serbia

August 1, 1914: Germany declares war on Russia

August 3, 1914: Germany declares war on France

August 4, 1914: Germany invades Belgium(Schlieffen Plan put in action)Great Britain declares war on Germany

October 28, 1914: Ottoman Empire enters World War I

The war begins

Two Sides in World War IAllied Powers: Central Powers:

Allied Powers

1. More Soldiers2. Greater

Industrial Power

3. Superior Navy

4. 32 countries

Advantages of Each Side

• Central Powers

1. Well-trained Army2. Well equipped Army3. Territory allowed for

rapid troop movement/communication

World Leaders during WWI

Nicholas II [Rus]

George V [Br]

Pres. Poincare [Fr]

Allied Powers:

Franz Josef [A-H]

Wilhelm II [Ger]

Victor Emmanuel II [It]

Central Powers:

Enver Pasha[O.E.]

German plan to attack France by invading Belgium

Goal was to achieve quick victory against France, avoid fighting a war on two fronts

The Schlieffen Plan

Austria-Hungary wanted to punish Serbia

Germany wanted to stand strong behind its ally

Russia saw an attempt to oppress Slavic people

France feared facing Germany alone later on

Great Britain felt compelled to protect Belgium

How the war escalated

A New Kind of Conflict

September 5, 1914Allies block German offensiveGermans forced to retreat

1st Battle of the Marne (Western Front)

Outcome:1.German plan for

quick victory ruined2.War turns into a

stalemate3.Trench warfare

begins

Trench warfare

Trench warfare

“No Man’s Land”

Life in the trenches

Life in the trenches

Trench Foot

February 21 – December 18, 1916Germans launch offensive against the

FrenchOne of longest & most devastating

battlesMore than 500,000 dead

Battle of Verdun

Battle begins July 1, 1916Allied offensive against

GermanyOne of the largest &

bloodiest battles of World War I

Over 1 million troops killed

Battle of the Somme

Machine Gun

Improved Artillery

Weapons of World War I

Poison Gas

Victim of a gas attack

Tanks

U-boats

Airplanes

Zeppelins

Russia suffers from major shortagesFood, clothing, weapons, ammunition

Allies could not ship suppliesBlockade by Central Powers

Russia suffers major casualties

The Eastern Front