Transcript World War I
Standard: 5. Recognize the moral as well as political implications of war 7. Identify on a map places related to the historic events studied and explain their significance 18.Identify the major causes, events, and effects of World War I, including the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles 24.Explain the different methods countries use to resolve conflicts - Diplomacy - Treaties - Military involvement World War I Causes • Militarism • Alliances • Imperialism • Nationalism Causes of WWI • http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-iofficially-ends/videos#causes-of-world-war-i Militarism • Aggressive strengthening of armed forces • Nations compete to build the largest, strongest armies and navies Alliances • Partnerships, for protection. – Originally formed to maintain peace – But would lead directly to war. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy • 1879 - Germany formed a military alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy called the Triple Alliance. France & Russia • 1893 - Fearful of Germany’s growing power, France and Russia formed a secret alliance with each other. Great Britain, France, Russia • 1907 - Great Britain joined France and Russia to form the Triple Entente. Imperialism • Nations were on a quest for colonial empires. • Fought over Africa, China, and the Middle East Nationalism • Pride and loyalty to ones nation • Caused tension in Europe The Spark That Lit The Fuse…. • The one event that started the Great War happened in the Balkans. • Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria) was visiting Serbia. • http://www.awesomestories.com/assets/assass ination-of-archduke-franz-ferdinand-2 Gavrilo Princip • Austro-Hungarian officials learned the Serbian government supplied the assassins with weapons. – They blamed Serbia for the killing Kaiser Wilhelm II • Russia had vowed to protect Serbia – Russia’s army began to mobilize. • Germany, as AustriaHungary’s ally, declared war on Russia – And two days later, declared war on France “You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees!!” WWI Alliances • Central Powers – Germany – Austria-Hungary – Later • Bulgaria • Ottoman Empire • Allied Powers – France – Russia – Britain – Later • Italy • Both sides expected a quick war • Germany planned to defeat France before Russia could join in – But met resistance from Belgian soldiers • Gave Britain and France had time to mobilize First Battle of the Marne Schlieffen Plan • To get to France, Germany would cross through neutral Belgium • Germany came within 25 miles of Paris • The French army blocked the advance at the Marne River • The battle lasted several days • It became clear the war would be longer and deadlier than expected A New Kind of War • • • • • • Trench Warfare New Technology Poisonous gas Tanks Airplanes U-boats WWI Firsts • http://www.history.com/topics/world-wari/videos#wwi-firsts Trench Warfare • After the Battle of the Marne the Germans dug trenches nearby to defend their position • The French dug their own trenches • Soon a 400-milelong network of trenches stretched cross the western front • Trenches were cold, wet, and muddy – Breeding grounds for germs • Soldiers fought in them for months at a time – Soldiers on both sides died from disease Trench Foot No Man’s Land • An empty patch of ground, about 25-foot to 1 mile distance , between enemy trenches – Stripped of trees and blasted full of holes – Those who dared to venture out would likely be killed New Technology • New machine guns could fire 400 – 600 bullets a minute • Artillery guns fired shells over the trenches – They sent speeding scraps of metal onto the soldiers Poisonous Gas • Some shells spread poisonous gases – Which would destroy the lungs – And cause slow painful death • Soldiers living in trenches were surrounded by machine-gun fire, flying grenades, and exploding artillery shells. – Opposing forces had machine guns pointed at enemy trenches at all times – And fired whenever a helmet or rifle appeared over the top. Tanks • British forces developed armored tanks to move into no-man’s-land. • Success was limited – many got stuck in the mud. • The Germans found ways to destroy the tanks with artillery fire. Airplanes • Both sides used planes – to map and attack trenches • Planes first dropped bricks and heavy objects – They soon mounted guns and bombs • Air battles were called dogfights. Land and Sea Battles • By 1916, after only a year of fighting, the war had become a stalemate – Neither side could win a decisive victory • Then both sides launched massive attacks – Germans attacked Verdun, France – Allies attacked along the Somme River – Attack, counterattack, but no change • Except - nearly 1 million men died The Western Front • http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwo ne/launch_ani_western_front.shtml Battle at Sea • The British navy blockaded the ports of the Central Powers – They laid explosive mines – That stopped ships from supplying the Germans German U-boats • German submarines • Launched torpedoes against Allied supply ships – Also attacked ships of neutral countries Americans Prepare for War Divided Opinion • Woodrow Wilson announced the United States would remain neutral • Most Americans agreed Neutral Ships • Even with a policy of neutrality, American ships carried supplies and war materials to the Allies • U-boats attacked to stop the supplies • Sometimes without warning The Lusitania • http://www.history.com/topics/world-wari/videos#u-boats-sink-the-lusitania-in-1915 The Lusitania • On May 7th, 1915 – the Lusitania (a British passenger liner) was sunk • 128 Americans on board were killed. • The incident fueled anti-German feeling in the United States • In 1916 a U-boat attacked the Sussex (a French passenger ship) – 80 Americans were killed The Sussex Pledge • Wilson demanded Germans stop attacking nonmilitary ships • Germany agreed not to attack merchant ships without warning Wilson is Reelected • Wilson tried to find a way in which America would lead peace negotiations to end the war. Zimmerman Note • Newspapers published a telegram from the German Foreign Secretary to Mexico • In it he proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States Moving Toward War • Germany announced unrestricted submarine warfare • On March 17, German submarines sank three American merchant vessels Wilson Declares War April 6, 1917 • U.S. government war effort limits freedoms – Espionage Act of 1917 & Sedition act of 1918 • Restricted free speech • Allowed the government to arrest opponents of war • Antiwar mail was prohibited and seized • About 900 opponents of war were jailed The Sedition Act was later repealed The Espionage Act is still in effect today Selective Service Act of 1917 • Passed on May 18 • To prepare the U.S. military • Required men from age 21 to 30 to register to be drafted – Almost 3 million men were drafted in World War I Those Who Served • The Selective Service drafted 2.8 million men • By summer 1918, 10,000 soldiers were sent to Europe every day – 400,000 were African Americans • In segregated units commanded by white officers Preparations • Troops had to be trained, supplied, transported, and fed Paying for war • The government raised taxes and issued Liberty Bonds to help support the Allies War Industries Board • Was created to oversee production and distribution of steel, copper, cement, and rubber The Food Administration • Guaranteed farmers high prices for crops • Encouraged citizens to conserve food at home – Meatless Mondays – Wheatless Wednesdays – Many built victory gardens Women and WWI Women At Home • Labor shortages forced factories to hire more than a million women to: – To assemble weapons and airplane parts • Women also: – Drove trolley cars and delivered mail – Served as police officers Women Overseas • Women were not given jobs in combat, but … • They drove ambulances at the front line • They volunteered as nurses, telephone operators, signalers, typists, and interpreters Ethnic Tension • African Americans migrated north – To find better paying jobs – But they faced prejudices • Mexicans entered the U.S. to work on farms and factories – After the war the U.S. tried to force them to return National War Labor Board • Was set up to help workers and management avoid strikes – Settled more than 1,000 disputes – Helped establish a minimum wage – Limited work hours – Required fair pay for women Americans in World War I U.S. Troops Arrived in 1917 • The American Expeditionary Force was sent to Europe • By the time they arrived the Allies were dangerously near defeat – Germany was advancing in France – The German navy was destroying Allied ships – The Russians on the Eastern front were struggling Russia Leaves the War • Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the Russian government – The overthrow of the Czar sparked a civil war Lenin’s Decision – 8 million Russians had been killed or wounded fighting Germany – Soldiers were deserting the eastern front – Food riots raged in the cities • Russia signed the Treaty of BrestLitovsk, a peace treaty with the Central Powers • Russia was now out of the War Winning the War • With Russia out Germany moved soldiers from the eastern front to the western front – In an attempt to break the stalemate • March 21, 1918, German forces drove 40 miles into Allied lines, then stalled • Then attacked south toward the Marne, pushing the French back to Paris The Final Battles • Terrible losses stopped the German offensive and protected Paris from invasion • Allied troops drove toward victory Driving the Germans Back • Over 1 million U.S. troops were now in France • They attacked Germany at Saint-Mihiel • And along the Meuse River and in the Argonne Forest Heroes of WWI Sergeant Alvin York • One of the most decorated American soldier • He led an attack on a German machine gun nest – He and his battalion took 32 machine guns, killed 28 German soldiers and captured 132 others • He received Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism The Harlem Hellfighters • African American soldiers of the 369th infantry • They spent more time in combat than any other American unit • They were the first unit to reach the German border Received the French Croix de Guerre medal (Cross of War) for bravery Winning the War at Sea • A new strategy was developed – The convoy system • Destroyers, capable of sinking U-boats escorted and protected groups of Allied merchant ships End to War • Germany – Food was scarce and civilians were dying of starvation – Germany was running out of soldiers • ¼ had been captured by the Allies • Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire – Quit the war in the fall of 1918 • Austria-Hungary reached peace agreement with the Allies Armistice (a truce to end active warfare) • Germany finally agreed to a cease-fire • Allies demanded Germany leave conquered territory – And destroy its aircraft, tanks and big guns, and surrender its U-boats • Germany accepted World War I Ends th 11 On the hour th of the 11 day th of the 11 month in 1918 Establishing Peace “Time to bury the dead” War Dead • About 5 million Allied soldiers, and at least 3 million soldiers from the Central Powers, died • More than 20 million were wounded • The war devastated an entire generation of young men in European nations – In France – 90% of their young men served • More than 7 of 10 were killed or wounded Financial Losses • Factories and farms were left in ruins • Farmers were unable to raise crops – This led to food shortages • Britain was in debt to U.S banks • Germany was in debt – People faced starvation • Allied Powers – spent $145 billion • Central Powers – spent $63 billion Influenza Epidemic • 1918 – a worldwide epidemic (pandemic) of influenza broke out – Extremely contagious and deadly • Belgian an army training camp • And spread through the air, quickly and unknowingly • Worldwide the influenza killed about 30 million – More than the war itself – In the U. S. it killed 800,000 Peace Agreement Wilson’s Peace Plan Wilson’s objectives from the Paris Peace Conference: - 14 Points - His main aim was to create a League of Nations 14 points – The Basics - Make no secret treaties - Allow all nations free access to the sea - Allow free trade - Disarmament by all nations - Give all nations selfDetermination (the right of national groups to their own territory and forms of government) - Create a League of Nations The Big Four • U. S., Britain, France, and Italy • Britain, France, and Italy disagreed with Wilson’s vision • They wanted to: – punish Germany for it role in the war – prevent Germany from ever becoming a world power again Peace Agreement Issues • Responsibility • Reparations • Colonial control • Boundary disputes Treaty of Versailles • http://www.history.com/topics/world-wari/videos#treaty-of-versailles-end-world-war-i Treaty of Versailles Signed by the “Big Four” • Germany would take responsibility for the war • Germany would pay over $300 billion in reparations (payments for war damages) • Germany made its final WWI reparation payment on Oct 3, 2010 • Germany would limit the size of its military • Germany would be stripped of overseas colonies New Nations • Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia became independent nations • Poland was restored as a nation • Central Power colonies were assigned to other European powers League of Nations Established Two objectives: 1. Would prevent war by allowing nations to talk over their problems 2. If talk failed members would join together to fight aggressors U.S. Battle Over the Treaty • Henry Cabot Lodge led the Senate in opposition to the Treaty – Republicans insisted on changes to the treaty before ratifying it • Wilson refused Defeat for Wilson • November 1919 – the Senate rejected the Versailles Treaty (the first time the U.S. ever rejected a peace treaty) • The U.S. did not join the League of Nations • Without the U.S. the League failed to live up to its goals Woodrow Wilson • After WWI Wilson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for helping found the League of Nations • The U.S. would not sign a peace treaty with Germany until 1921 • Up next … The Roaring 20’s Evaluation: – World War I Test