M A RC H 1 9 1 5

GALLIPOLI

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE ENTERS THE WAR

• The Central Powers got a lift when the Ottoman Empire decided to join the war on their side.

• The Ottoman Empire was falling apart and was not a huge threat to take over too much land.

• It was seen as the weak underbelly of the Central Powers.

BATTLEFRONT MAP SHOWING PART OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

WHY DID THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE MATTER?

• They controlled the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and were able to limit access to the Black Sea.

• This posed a problem for the Allies as this is how many supplies were sent to Russia since its northern ports were locked in by ice for long periods of time.

• If Russia was going to make it through the war, they would need supplies.

CHURCHILL’S PLAN• As head of the Royal Navy, Winston Churchill

planned an invasion at Gallipoli.• On April 25, 1915, British forces (mostly British

Commonwealth soldiers from Australia and New Zealand) attacked Turkish (Ottoman Empire) Troops at Gallipoli.

GALLIPOLI INVASION, MARCH 1915

THE RESULT

• poor intelligence and underestimation of the strength of the enemy

• The British were unable to take control of the area and had over 250,000 casualties.

• The Russians were still in need of supplies and were handcuffed because of the loss.

• This was one of the most important losses for the Allies in the war.

• The loss hurt Churchill’s reputation and he resigned from the government.

RESOURCES

• www.historyofwar.org -- map of invasion• www.storiesofusa.com -- WW1 Battle Front Map• www.history.com -- picture of Churchill