Transcript World War I
World War I Main Ideas **Competition between nations pushes Europe toward a major war. **The impact of alliances on the start of WWI. **WWI caused great destruction. **The Allies tried to make a peace treaty that would solve all of Europe’s problems. By Sherri Petrill Imperialism-a system of building an empire by conquering lands around the country. Nationalism-a strong devotion to one’s country. • • 1. 2. 3. Imperialism and nationalism became strong forces in Europe, and caused many disagreements. European nations challenged each other in a number of ways. These nations competed for colonies rich in natural resources. These natural resources were used to expand industries.(Which gave the country more money) They each tried to build bigger and better navies and armies. Some Problems Brewing in Europe France and Germany- France and Germany had a war in 1870-1871. After the war, Germany had taken over two French Provinces and France wanted them back. Great Britain and Germany- Great Britain had ruled the seas with their great navy, but then Germany wanted to build a bigger and more modern navy to compete with Great Britain. This caused friction between the two countries. Austria-Hungary- Nationalism was increasing among its’ many ethnic groups. Each of these groups wanted to form countries of their own. Alliances Were Formed European powers formed two major alliances to protect themselves. These countries agreed to protect each other incase of an attack. TRIPLE ALLIANCE Germany Austria-Hungary Italy *Formed in 1882 TRIPLE ENTENTE Russia France Great Britain *Entente means ‘understanding’ in French, each understood an attack on one meant an attack on all. Formed in 1907. The Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungry was assassinated in Bosnia by a Serbian (belonged to no alliance). Austria-Hungary wanted to punish Serbia!!! Russia felt they had to protect Serbia because they shared the same religion. This started a chain-reaction felt throughout Europe! Austria-Hungary Serbia Russia Austria-Hungary Germany Russia & France Germany Invades Belgium (Belgium was a neutral country and an ally of Great Britain) Great Britain Germany The War Begins Germany’s plan was to defeat France in 6 weeks. It sent an army through Belgium and into France. The German army was to circle around Paris, and trap the French. The Germans expected to take control of France quickly. This way Germany would not have to fight a war on two fronts. However, neither side could win or move forward very much. These battles took place on the Western Front located in France. At the same time the line of battle between Russia and Germany and Austria was called the Eastern Front. Western Front Germany vs. France & Great Britain Eastern Front Germany & Austria-Hungry vs. Russia Changes in the Alliances *Ottoman Empire enters the war on the sides of Germany and Austria-Hungry *Italy moved to the other side with Great Britain, France, and Russia. Triple Alliance Triple Entente Germany, Austria-Hungry, & Italy Central Powers Germany & Austria-Hungry Ottoman Empire Russia, France, & Great Britain Allied Powers Russia, France, Great Britain, & Italy Two Reasons Why WWI was Deadlier Than Earlier Years 1. New Technology such as tanks, machine guns, and poison gas increased the number of people who were killed. 2. Trench Warfare- the use of deep ditches to shelter troops in battle. When soldiers would leave the trenches they were fired upon by enemies. Why the United States Entered the War. 1. When WWI started in 1914 the United States remained neutral. 2. German submarines sank the Lusitania, a British ship carrying passengers, supplies, and probably weapons from the U.S. to Great Britain. Germany also, sank other U.S. ships. 3. The U.S. intercepted a letter to Mexico from Germany offering to return Mexican territory that the U.S. had taken in 1846, if Mexico would join the Central Powers. Feelings About the War *The soldiers who went to war in 1914 went with a spirit of adventure. The weather was warm, and they expected to be home by Christmas. This did NOT happen. By 1917 people everywhere were tired of the war. Russia was beginning to feel the pressure of the war. *The Battles of the Somme & Verdun had extremely high casualties. *During WWI women performed a variety of supportive tasks such as nurses, working in factories, growing food to help feed the troops, and many more. Turning Point of the War 1. The United States enters the war. *2 million American soldiers helped turn the tide of the war for the Allies. Many became additional casualties. 2. Russia withdraws from the war. *Russia suffered a huge loss of life. *Food, fuel, and military supplies were low. *The economy collapsed. The Russian Revolution The Russian revolution broke out in March of 1917 because the Russian people were tired of suffering. People began to protest as well as soldiers. Russian's ruler, Czar Nicholas II was forced to give up his throne. A communist leader named Vladimir Lenin took over the government in Russian citizens. The new communist government wanted out of the war, so they signed a peace treaty with Germany. Russia had to give up a lot of land to Germany. But at least Vladimir Lenin got peace for his country. Look at map on page 531 Russia lost Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. A civil war broke out in Russia between the communist and non-communist people. This civil war ranged until 1920 and the communist won! In 1922 Russia’s communist leaders formed the Soviet Union. Ending the War (January 1918) 27 Allied Nations attended a “Peace Conference” in France. The 4 main decision makers were the USA, Great Britain, France, and Italy. France wanted to make sure Germany didn’t bother them ever again!! Everyone finally agreed on a peace treaty called “The Treaty of Versailles” Treaty of Versailles The following demands would be met under the Treaty of Versailles. 1. 2. Germany would accept the blame for starting the war. Germany would give back the land it took from France in 1870 & 1871. 3. Germany would have to remove all of its’ armies from other countries. 4. Germany had to give land to several other countries!! Germany had less land than when the war had begun in 1914. 5. Germany had to pay huge reparations (money for war losses) to the Allies. This caused high inflation in Germany. ****The German Government protested bitterly but they had no choice to sign the ARMISTICE. (Cease-fire) November 11, 1918 the war ends!! Armistice Day. Later changed to Veterans Day! Germany’s economy would eventually recover, but they would never forget and resentment would grow for many years!!!!!! Other Helpful Websites • The Ann Frank House • Ann Frank Center • TIMELINES / PRIMARY DOCUMENTS, LETTERS, & DIARIES • The Great War The Map of Europe at the End of WWI in 1918 The Map of Europe in 1914 Mobilization- the preparations nations make before sending their armies into battle. Neutral- one that does not take sides. Casualty- a wounded or killed soldier. Armistice- a crease-fire. Holocaust- a mass killing. Reparation- a payment for war losses. Inflation- a rapid increase in prices. Trench warfare- the use of deep ditches to shelter troops in battle. Aggression- a policy of launching attacks on the territory of others. Propaganda- the planned spread of certain beliefs. Imperialism- a system of building an empire by conquering lands around the world. Soviet- a Russian workers’ council. Communism- a form of socialism in witch all resources are owned by a government led by a dictator. Allied Powers- an alliance between Great Britain, France, Russia, and Italy in World War 1. Central powers- an alliance between Germany, AustriaHungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Triple Alliance- an alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austrian-Hungary, and Italy. Triple Entente- an alliance formed in 1907 between Russian, France, and Great Britain. Nationalism- a strong devotion to one’s country. Natural Resources- something found in nature, used by humans. Example; coal, oil, wood, water…. Alliance- an agreement made between two or more groups or nations.