What countries make up the Allied forces What

What countries make up the Allied forces? What countries are the Central Powers?

EARLY CAMPAIGNS (Caught between a rock and a hard place…)

The Schlieffen Plan • Developed by German General Alfred von Schlieffen in the 1800 s • He wanted to avoid a “twofront war” • His solution? Send everyone to attack France, defeat them quickly, then send everyone to the Russian border (before Russia could mobilize)

(stage one) French Army

Battle of the Marne • September 5 -12, 1914 • Germany pursued French soldiers retreating South, but this left their own flanks open to attack • The French took advantage of the breaks in German lines and attacked from Paris • The Germans were forced to retreat • The Schlieffen Plan was aborted

Marne cont. • The Germans retreat only 40 miles, digging in, and setting up trenches at the Aisne River • The French catch up and build their own trenches • Both sides move North, trying to outflank the other, until their trenches extend to the North Sea

Why it didn’t work • The problem? Schlieffen died. Later generals “watered down” the plan. • Germany attacked France through Belgium and got within 30 miles of Paris • But, Germany didn’t bring enough men to finish the job (left too many men guarding the Russian border) • Turned into a stalemate (tie)

Gallipoli Campaign • 25 April 1915 – 9 January 1916 • Britain attacked the Ottoman Empire (OE) • Allies want to open the strait to secure sea access to Russia and capture Constantinople – the Ottoman capital • Ends in terrible defeat for the Allies and massive casualties on both sides – Almost 400, 000!!

In Summary. . . • Germany attacked France ⇨ stalemate • Russia attacked Germany and A-H ⇨ stalemate • The O. E. attacked Russia ⇨ stalemate • Italy attacked A-H ⇨ stalemate • Britain attacked the O. E. (the Gallipoli Campaign) ⇨ stalemate

Stalemates

M A Which of the MAIN causes of WWI was most responsible for creating a global conflict? I N

Misconceptions 1. War is dominated by the offensive Barbed wire, better artillery, and machine guns have given the advantage to defensive strategies 2. The fastest and largest army will win Again, modern war is dominated by the defense 3. War is short; consisting of one massive effort Nationalism drives people to fight longer

WESTERN FRONT

NOTES QUIZ *All you need is a pen/pencil.

REVIEW 1. What did the Schlieffen Plan want to avoid? 2. Why was the Schlieffen Plan unsuccessful? 3. Who was involved in the Gallipoli Campaign? 4. What single event started the WWI? 5. Identify the FOUR causes to WWI.

Battle of Verdun • Longest battle of the war • February 21 st – December 18 th, 1916 • German surprise attack on French • Estimated one million casualties

Battle of the Somme 1. July – 19. November 1916 France and Britain against Germany on the Western Front Largest battle of WWI General Sir Douglas Haig First battle to use Tanks

The Plan 1. British artillery will bombard the German trenches 2. Creeping Barrage – the artillery slowly increases distance to keep pace with the infantry 3. The infantry walk across No Man's Land take the German side

Reality Battle began with a week of bombarding Allied forces rushed to cross No Man's Land German troops survived in massive dug-outs and began mowing down Allied troops with machine guns British casualties = 57, 000; 20, 000 dead (just on the first day!) Total casualties: Britain = 420, 000 France = 195, 000 Germany = 650, 000 in counter-attacks British gained about 7 miles at the deepest point

Battle of Jutland

German Destroyer

British ship firing a broadside

Losses at the Battle of Jutland

WWI U-boat

Submarine Warfare

“Dazzle”

Thought it would confuse enemy subs…

U-Boats violated the “Rules of War” • 1917, Germany declared “unrestricted submarine warfare” – it would sink any ship going to Britain (even neutral ships!)