Never in the course of human history had the world seen such a

devastating loss of life on the battlefield than in World War I.

M.A.I.N. CAUSES1.MILITARISM2.ALLIANCES3.IMPERIALISM4.NATIONALIS

M

MILITARISM: Europe was going through a period of militarybuild up which led to the requirement of men to sign up for military service.

Conscription- forced enrollment in the military

ALLIANCES: the countries of Europe began to make friendshipsand agreements with one another for protection and to gain power.

IMPERIALISM: the policy of stronger countries in taking economic, political, and social control over weaker nations.

NATIONALISM: the belief in the traditions and ideas of one’snation and that there should be unity within that nation.

Archduke Franz

Ferdinand and his family.

The Black Hand

• In May 1911, ten men in Serbia formed the Black Hand Secret Society.

• The main objective of the Black Hand was the creation, by means of violence, of a Greater Serbia. Its stated aim was: "To realize the national ideal, the unification of all Serbs. This organization prefers terrorist action to cultural activities; it will therefore remain secret."

Franz Ferdinand knew that the journey would be dangerous. A large number of people living in Bosnia-Herzegovina were unhappy with Austro-Hungarian rule and

favored union with Serbia.

•Gavrillo Princip, a 19 year old member of the Black Hand, shot and killed Franz Ferdinand and his wife at point blank range.

Ferdinand’s Funeral

The Road to World War

*Princip, from Serbia, assassinated the future leader of Austria-Hungary.

*Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

*Germany was allied with Austria-Hungary.

*Russia was allied with Serbia.

*Germany declared war on Russia and France.

*Germany went through Belgium to get into France which drew in the British.

The Christmas Truce of 1914

Innovation: the introduction of something new. A new idea, method, or device.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF INNOVATION?

The Machine Gun

American-born inventor, Sir Hiram Maxim, it was the first machine gun to operate entirely by mechanical means.

The Machine Gun in 1914

The 1914 machine gun, usually positioned on a flat tripod, would require a gun crew of four to six operators. 

In theory they could fire 400-600 small-calibre rounds per minute, a figure that was to more than double by the

war's end, with rounds fed via a fabric belt or a metal strip.

“Going the Whole Nine Yards”

The casualties from machine gun were so high that high

command instructed the men to dig in for protection.

Initially the men protected themselves with foxholes. The

foxholes developed into trenches.

TRENCH WARFAREThe casualties from the machine gun were so tremendous that commanding officers ordered their men to dig in for protection.

The trenches began with foxholes but as time went on they became more elaborate.

Inside the Trenches

The two opposite lines of trenches had been dug across 475 miles of land from the Alps to the North Sea.1. Foxhole 4. Rats2. Hideout 5. Barbed Wire 3. Slope 6. Fire Step

BARBED WIRE• Barbed wire was invented in

1874. Its practical use of containing animals will change to a defensive purpose during WWI.

• In World War I barbed wire was used to protect the area around the trenches.

“Caught in the Wire”

NO MAN’S LAND

• This was the area between two opposing trenches• This area was barren and full of holes from shells• The trench warfare resulted in a stalemate.

OVER THE TOP

This catch phrase was used to describe when the

troops would go over the top of the trench in an

attempt to advance towards the enemy.

The men dug out sleeping and resting areas in the side of the trench.

Trenches today

Life in the trenches

• Life was very rough in the trenches

• Thousands of huge rats would be in the trenches looking for food

• Conditions were often wet and damp causing trench foot

• Lice was another problem for the men

The flamethrower, which brought terror to French and British soldiers when used by the German army in the early phases of the First World War in 1914 and 1915

was by no means a particularly innovative weapon.

They were undeniably useful when used at short-range, but were of limited wider effectiveness, especially once the British and French had overcome their initial alarm

at their use. 

The Flamethrower

Poison GasConsidered uncivilized prior to World War I, the development and use of poison gas was necessitated by the requirement of wartime armies to find new ways of overcoming the

stalemate of unexpected trench warfare.

How it was used:

• The odorless and deadly form of gas would be thrown to the enemy territory in canisters.

• The gas would settle to the ground and seek the lowest levels.

• It was effective to get the men out of the trenches.

• Considered uncivilized prior to World War I, the development and use of poison gas was necessitated by the requirement of wartime armies to find new ways of overcoming the stalemate of unexpected trench warfare.

Chlorine GasThe effects of chlorine gas

were severe.  Within seconds of inhaling its vapor it destroyed the victim's

respiratory organs, bringing on choking attacks. 

The gas would cause widespread panic rather than

a large number of deaths.

• Sometimes gas canisters would be thrown into enemy lines and the wind would shift and it would blow back to friendly forces.

World War I was one of the last wars in which horses were widely used. Animals have served many purposes during wars.

ANIMALS OF WAR

Horses

Horse drawn ambulance

The animals were an essential part of the war effort but could also become

casualties.

War Dogs

Tanks: tanks were introduced by the British. The tank changed the organization of all great armies. Mostly it was used to break through a large enemy front line.

The Tank

Problems occasionally occurred.

AIRPLANES

• Airplanes carried out many tasks during the war such as:

• dropping messages

• carrying passengers

• fighting

• bringing back information from enemy lines.

DOGFIGHTS

Fights between two planes in the

sky became known as

'dogfights'  

The Red Baron• German’s World War flying

ace, Manfred von Richthofen AKA the Red Baron

• Had 80 confirmed kills

• Was shot down and killed during the final months of the war

Anti-Aircraft Attack

PICKELHAUBE

SUBMARINES

• The U-boat was first used by the Germans to halt the flow of supplies to Great Britain.

• Eventually the Germans began sinking ships with no warning.

The United States and the War

• The United States was isolationist during the outbreak of World War I.

• President Wilson wanted to keep the U.S. out of foreign conflicts.

THE YANKS ARE COMING!!!

The continued use of submarine warfare will draw the United States into the conflict.

THE LUSITANIA

The Lusitania• In 1915 Germany sunk the Lusitania, a British passenger ship

• 1,198 people were killed including 128 Americans.

• The sinking enraged the public but we continued to stay out of war.

• It was determined later that the Lusitania was being used to carry munitions to the British.

SUSSEX PLEDGE• After the sinking of the Sussex, a French passenger ship,

the Germans were pressured with threats of an Embargo from the U.S.

• Sussex Pledge: the Germans agreed to give warning to merchant ships before sinking them. The pledge bought some time for the Germans by keeping the U.S. out of the war.

The Zimmerman Note

• One of the final straws to lead the United States to war was the interception of the Zimmerman Note.

• The message was sent from the German Foreign Minister to Mexico.

• The note stated that Mexico could have Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona after the war if they sided with Germany.

• Many historians believe this incident was propagandized by the British.

The United States Enters the War1917

With the Russian Revolution in progress the

United States is finally prepared to enter the war.

Woodrow Wilson refused to be allied with a non-

Democratic nation.

The Russian Revolution

*In November 1917 another revolution occurred in Russia. The Bolsheviks promised peace, land, and bread to a weary Russian people.

*Russia signed a treaty with Germany to stop the fighting.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: treaty between Germany and Russia that ended the fighting on the Eastern Front.

*Germany was now able to concentrate on fighting on the Western Front.

The War Industries Board

The War Industries Board was responsible to change the economy over from a peace time economy to a wartime economy.

Ex. Factories that made clothing will now make uniforms.

Propaganda

Propaganda: media material that tries to evoke emotion and support from a group of people.

WWI propaganda can be broken down into five categories:

1. Loyalty2. Conservation3. Recruitment4. Help finance the war.5. Hate the enemy!

Enforcing Loyalty

*Disagreement with the government was seen as disloyalty and was intolerable during the war.

Trading With the Enemy Act: the postmaster was able to censor any publications that were exchanged with other countries.

• Sedition Act: prohibited any speech that was considered to be disloyal, profane, or abusive about the government.

• Espionage Act: this punished anyone who was found guilty of helping the enemy, hindering recruitment, or inciting a revolt.

Schenck v. U.S.

• Charles Schenck was against the war.

• He stood outside the recruitment offices for the army and told people not to sign up for the military.

• He was charged with “hindering recruitment”.

• He took his case to the U.S. Supreme to argue that his freedom of speech had been violated.

The Verdict

• The U.S. Supreme Court rules that Schenk did not have the right to hinder recruitment.

• He posed a clear and present danger to America in a time of war.

• This is the first time someone has lost a First Amendment battle in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Recruitment

• Selective Service Act: requires all young men age 18-21 to sign up for military service.

• The Draft: when the draft is in effect men who are in the selective service can be called to duty.

1917 – Selective 1917 – Selective Service ActService Act

1917 – Selective 1917 – Selective Service ActService Act

24,000,000 men registered for the draft by the end of 1918.

4,800,000 men served in WW1 (2,000,000 saw active combat).

400,000 African-Americansserved in segregated units.

15,000 Native-Americans served as scouts, messengers, and snipers in non-segregated units.

Recruitment

CONSERVATION

The Food Administration

The Food Administration was a federal government agency that organized food

conservation programs.

They used the slogan “Meatless Monday, Wheatless Wednesday”

Fuel Administration

Punishments varied from public

humiliation to jail time for abuse of ration

books.

The Enemy

Using terminology associated with the enemy became taboo.

• Sauerkraut became “Liberty Cabbage”• Hamburgers became “Liberty Steaks”• German Measles became “Liberty Measles”• Towns even changed their names:

Ex. North Canton was called New Berlin prior to WWI. The residents changed the name in 1918.

Finance the War

All Quiet on the Western Front

• This book was written by Erich Maria Remarque and portrays the war from the German perspective.

Convoy System

• System used to transport cargo ships from the U.S. to Europe.

• Battleships would flank either side of the cargo ships in order to protect them.

African Americans

African Americans have served in all American wars. Prior to the 54th regiment during the Civil

War they did serve in combat positions.

During World War I and World War II there were several all black combat units.

The military was not desegregated until after WWII

• 380,000 African Americans served in the WWI Army.

Harlem Hellfighters

Harlem Hellfighters

• The 369th Infantry, known as the "Harlem Hellfighters" were among the first U.S. regiments to arrive in France in World War I (WWI), and among the most highly decorated when it returned.

Women and the War

• In 1901 and 1908 the establishment of the Army and Navy Nurse Corps opened the door for women in the military but ever so slightly.

• It wasn't until the United States got involved in World War One that some parts of the government got serious

about using woman power.

Reparations

• According to the terms of the Versailles Treaty, Germany will be held responsible for the war.

• Reparations: payments made from the losing side of the war to winning side of the war for damages.

Most of the talks at Versailles revolved around territory.

The map of Europe was redrawn.

A Plan for Peace

WILSON’S FOURTEEN POINTS• Wilson outlined his hopes for the future. The

adoption of these ideas as the basis for a peace treaty would ensure a just and lasting settlement.

• Wilson’s plan for peace was called the Fourteen Points.

• This plan called for an end of secret treaties, freedom of the seas, reduced armies/navy and a general association of nations

The League of Nations: The fourteenth point was Wilson’s idea of a general association of nations. He wanted to have the league be a part of the peace settlement because it would help solve future disputes.

Henry Cabot Lodge, one of the biggest opponents to the ratification of the League of Nations.

The U.S. failed to join the League and it ultimately became a failure.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Between 1914 and 1918 the British Army identified

80,000 men (2% of those who saw

active service) as suffering from shell-shock.

Shell Shock

By 1914 British doctors working in military hospitals noticed patients suffering from "shell

shock". Early symptoms included tiredness, irritability, giddiness, lack of concentration and

headaches.

The men suffered mental breakdowns making it impossible for them to remain in the front-line.

Some came to the conclusion that the soldiers condition was caused by the enemy's heavy artillery.

Total Costs for the War

• 8.5 million soldiers killed• 21 million wounded• Cost $338 billion at that time• Destroyed crop land, homes and villages• In the spring of 1918, the Spanish flu hit

England and India and spread around the world. By the end it killed an additional 20 million people

Who is this?

A much larger number of soldiers with these symptoms were classified as 'malingerers' and sent back to the front-line. In some cases men committed suicide.

Others broke down under the pressure and refused to obey the orders of their officers. Some responded to the pressures of shell-shock by deserting.

Sometimes soldiers who disobeyed orders got shot on the spot. In some cases, soldiers were court-martialed.

Official figures said that 304 British soldiers were court-martialed and executed. A common punishment for disobeying orders was Field Punishment Number One. This involved the offender being attached to a fixed object for up to two hours a day and for a period up to three months. These men were often put in a place within range of enemy shell-fire.

Important people from WW I

Franz Ferdinand G. Princip Kaiser Wilhelm Red Baron

King George Czar Nicholas II Pres. Wilson Hitler

Propaganda• Governments also used

propaganda-one sided information used to keep moral and support for your side.

• The most effective propaganda was the war poster. Each side painted the enemy as monsters and their side as hero’s.

The end of the war• In March of 1917, Czar Nicholas II

abdicated his throne• Russia was faced with shortages in

fuel, food and supplies.• 5.5 million Russian soldiers were

either killed, wounded or taken prisoner and they refused to fight any longer.

• Nov. 1917 Russia had a revolution, communist leader Vladimir Lenin took over

• He signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which ended the fight between Germany and Russia

• This allowed Germany to concentrate on the Western Front

• May 1918, Germany reached the Marne River once again and launched a major offensive battle

• Germany was running low on men and supplies by this time

• America sent in over 2 million fresh troops and Germany couldn’t keep up

• One by one, the Central Powers began to surrender.• Kaiser Wilhelm was forced to step down and finally an

armistice- an agreement to stop fighting was signed on Nov. 11, 1918

• A peace agreement still had to be worked out

• France and England were opposed to Wilson’s plan

• France wanted to punish Germany since most of the fighting was done in France. England also went along.

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 officially ending WW I.

• They agreed to a League of Nations-an organization where countries could talk out their problems. However, the left out Germany and Russia. Also, the US congress never agreed to this so the US did not join.

Treaty of Versailles continued

• Germany had to give back land in Europe and all of it’s colonies

• Had to cut back their army, could not manufacture or import weapons, they could not have any submarines or have an air force

• They had to accept total blame for the war• They had to pay reparations- war damages

to the Allies $33 billion over 30 years.• If you were Germany, wouldn’t you be

mad at these terms? This leads to WWII

• Other counties signed peace treaties with the Allies

• Many people called the treaty “a peace built on quicksand” meaning it would give away in a few years

The Red Cross

Swine Flu of 1918