World War I Allied vs Central Powers n

World War I

Allied vs. Central Powers n Allied Powers – France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy and United States (later) n Central Powers – Germany, Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire

Outbreak of War n All countries were happy to fight n Each of the Allied and Central Powers had armies with millions of soldiers. n Everyone thought the war would be over in 3 months

German Kaiser announcing war mobilization order What seems to be the mood of the German people in this picture?

Announcement of war in Great Britain outside of Buckingham Palace What seems to be the mood of the British people in this picture?

Civilians marching with German soldiers to the front

French civilians bidding farewell

German soldiers to the Western Front “On to Paris”

What is the mood of these French soldiers going to war?

Germany n Germany had to fight a two-front war n Schlieffen Plan – Invade France through Belgium, capture Paris in 6 weeks. – Attack Russia’s big army after France

Schlieffen Plan

First Months of War n Germans push French/British within 30 miles of Paris, then are stopped. n Germans defeat Russian Army at Tannenberg, push them back. n War in the Western Front stalls, and armies dig into trenches.

Trench Warfare n Both sides dig trenches from English Channel all the way to Switzerland. n The line did not move for the rest of the war. – Machine guns mowed down soldiers. – Artillery “softened” trenches – Poison Gas used to kill soldiers.

Artillery

Prosthetics

The War: 1914 -1916 n Neither side won or lost much ground. n Millions of soldiers were being killed on both sides. n Armies were wearing thin on men, morale and materials.

The Homefront n Government management n Suspended rights n Women workers n Rationing n Propaganda

The War: 1917 n 1917 was a turning point year during WWI for two reasons: – The United States enters the war. – Russia leaves the war.

America Enters WWI n At the beginning, America remained neutral during WWI – It was Europe’s war n There were three major reasons for America to get involved… – Natural alliance with England France – Unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany – Zimmerman Telegram

Cause #1: Natural Alliance with England France n America shared common government; democracy n Were strong trade partners before the war. n Shared a common language and culture with England

Cause #2: Unrestricted Submarine Warfare n Germany used “U-boats” to attack any ship going to England. n May 7, 1915, Germany sinks Lusitania, killing 123 Americans. n President Wilson condemns attack, warns against future attacks. n 1917, Germany resumes unrestricted sub warfare

Lusitania

US Losses From Sub Warfare: 1916 -1918

Cause #3: Zimmerman Telegram n British intercept German telegram to Mexico. – Germany asks Mexico to invade U. S. – Promise southwestern states in return. n British pass the telegram to U. S.

Zimmerman Telegram

Impact of America’s Involvement n Allies were on the brink of falling apart n America comes in and strengthens tired British and French soldiers. n Eventually, Allies start pushing Germans back toward Germany in 1918.

Americans in France

Americans in France