Transcript world war i “the great war” 1914-1918

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. CAUSES
1. MILITARISM
2. ALLIANCES
3. IMPERIALISM
4. NATIONALISM
MILITARISM: Europe was going through a period of military
build 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 friendships
and 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’s
nation 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
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION
OF INNOVATION?
Innovation: the introduction of
something new. A new idea, method,
or device.
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 WARFARE
The 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. Rats
2. 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 Gas
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.
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 Gas
The 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.
ANIMALS OF WAR
World War I was one of the last wars
in which horses were widely used.
Animals have served many purposes
during wars.
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
• 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.
The Lusitania
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 War
1917
With the Russian
Revolution in progress the
United States is finally
prepared to enter the war.
Woodrow Wilson refused
to be allied with a nonDemocratic 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Loyalty
Conservation
Recruitment
Help finance the war.
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 Service
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-Americans
served 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
King George
G. Princip
Czar Nicholas II
Kaiser Wilhelm
Pres. Wilson
Red Baron
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 BrestLitovsk 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