World War I: “A Mad World of Death, Blood, & Fire.”

1/12/15Objectives:Discuss the attitudes of pre-war EuropeExamine the tactics and weaponry of WWIEvaluate the impact of the war

Europe at the

time of WWI

I. Pre-War Peace & ProsperityA. Modern science & Industrial Revolution

1. Provided for a better standard of living for many Europeans Cheaper, more accessible goods A growing middle class

B. The theories of Marx and Darwin stressed progress1. Perceived movement toward an earthly paradise

C. Mentality1. “A good short war” would be a good thing

II. Seeds of War

A. Imperialism 1. European powers expanded across the

globe Formed colonies in Africa & Asia

B. Nationalism1. “Desire of ethnic groups to create a

sovereign nation”C. Militarism

1. Large modern armies became the norm

Assembly line production Conscription Mobilization plans

D. Alliances1. Polarized Europe

III. The SparkA. June 1914, Assassination

of Arch-Duke Francis (a.k.a. Franz) Ferdinand in Bosnia

B. Austria- Hungary holds Serbia responsible

1. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, July 28, 1914 with German support

2. Russia declares support for Serbia & mobilizes against Austria-Hungary & Germany

3. Germany declares war on Russia + France

4. Germany mobilizes & occupies Belgium

5. Britain declares war on Germany for violating Belgium’s neutrality

6. By August 4, all European powers are at war Everyone thought war would be over by Christmas

The Domino Effect

Europe in 1914

The Allies (Primary):1. France

2. Russia

3. Britain

* US enters 1917

Central Powers:4. Germany

5. Austria-Hungary

6. Ottoman Empire

Propaganda From All Sides

A 1915 German propaganda poster related to German discontent over the L’Entente Cordiale agreement of 1904.

It shows a depiction of a huge spider attacking “Turquie,” while eating a French soldier and with a German eagle sitting regally and proudly overhead. Uncle Sam and two others are tied in a web in the background and there is a German submarine in the Sea of Marmora.

The Entente Cordiale was a diplomatic agreement that settled Anglo-French disputes and made possible their cooperation against Germanexpansion in Europe and the colonial world.

Even Australia and Canada

UK Propaganda

Back At Home

IV. Warfare & WeaponsA. Each side dug trenches to

shelter their troops1. “No man’s land” in

between

B. New weapons and technologies emerge: 1. Poison gas2. Machine Gun3. Tanks4. Airplanes & zeppelins

C. Tactics slow to catch up with technology

1. Mechanization of slaughter

Netley Hospital

A. 9 million soldiers had died, 21 million wounded

B. Governments increased power over press & economy

C. Large armies were drafted, recruited, trained, & supplied

1. Set tone for future wars

D. Women worked in factories, supporting appeal for suffrage

E. US became a global power

V. Fallout