The Two Fronts

World War I

Austria-Hungary heir Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated by Serbian nationalist revolutionaries 1914.

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.Russia, who was allied with France, was also allied

with Serbia. Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary.Austria-Hungary allied with Germany. Russia

essentially also declared war on Germany.Germany had fear that it was declining in power after

Bismarck and felt this was an opportunity to attack France, and then defend itself against Russia. This would establish itself as a strong powerful nation.

However, France was also allied with Great Britain.

Alliances that led to War

Triple Entente/Allied Powers

Russia (and Serbia)FranceBelgiumGreat Britain

Soldiers came from all of the colonies too, such as India, New Zealand, Australia, etc.

(later) Italy

(later) USA

Central PowersGermanyAustria- Hungary(later) Turkey

Western Front: Battle of the Marne

Total War•Trench Warfare• No mobility• Daily massacre

•Air Dogfights• Machine guns

•Naval Blockades• Unable to get supplies

•Snow•Mud•Rats•Disease•Chemical warfare

Verdun: German attack at Verdun. Somme: British and French attack at Somme

Battles of Verdun and Somme

No Gain for either side

Eastern Front

•Russia attacks Germany• Germany unprepared

because most forces focused against France for a “quick victory.”

•2 short and effective battles• Battle of Tennenberg• Battle of Masurian Lakes

•Pushed Russia back.•Russia did not have effective means of mobilization or supplies.•Success for Germany and territory gains•Shortly following: Bolshevik Revolution in Russia

Lack of Men- Women went to work taking men’s jobs. Increase in Women’s payWomen suffrage more easily attained after war.

No food and rationing due to blockadesGerman submarines vs. Britain ships. (US involvement

later due to blockade)Cut off food and supplies from both Britain and Germany.Turkey sided with Central Powers cut off resources to

RussiaDecreased overall morale about war

Led to Governments using centralized planning to manage and move food, resources, and to maintain the economy.Path to Socialism and increase of government

Effects on the Home Front

Lack of movement on the Western FrontComplaints on the Home Front

Germany surrendersTreaty of Versailles

France and Britain want revengeUSA wants League of Nations

Russia in midst of Civil War Germany loses all colonies and required to pay for all

reparations and civilian damages from the war. Arguably a cause of WWII

Other outcomes: Austria-Hungary broken up into the smaller nation-states of

Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. Also Poland was made a country. National self-determination

Surrender: Treaty of Versailles