WWI GERMANYS INITIAL ADVANCES Germanys Objectives avoid war
WWI GERMANY’S INITIAL ADVANCES
Germany’s Objectives § avoid war on two fronts
Germany’s Objectives § take Paris, France quickly
Germany’s Strategic Answer: The Schlieffen Plan § Belgium is neutral (neutrality is guaranteed by Britain) § Germany demands to be given safe passage through Belgium § Why Belgium? Germany’s true objective is to take Paris, France (Schlieffen Plan) § To pass through Belgium & Luxembourg would allow for surprise attack on France § Belgium refuses § August 4, 1914 - Germany invades Belgium
The Schlieffen Plan
Belgian Response § Belgian military is roughly a tenth of Germany’s § Belgian military & civilian militia try to fight back – buys time for France and England to prepare counter-offensive § Any efforts by Belgian civilians to resist was dealt with severely: § People shot on the spot § Buildings burned to the ground
International Response § August 4, 1914 - Britain declares war so Canada declares war § August 6, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia § August 12, 1914 – France & Britain declare war on Austria-Hungary § October 1, 1914 – First troops from Canada leave to be trained in Britain
Results of Schlieffen Plan § Germany was able to penetrate French territory quickly and on schedule with relatively few losses § Belgian resistance bought time for France and Britain to mobilize – Germany did not expect this § Russia mobilized quicker than Germany thought § Germany struggled to get supplies to the front quick enough to maintain control in Belgium and France
France Mobilizes
The First Battle of Ypres § October – November, 1914 § Germany fails to reach the north sea
The Western Front is Created § Almost 1000 km of trenches are built by both sides
The Deadlock on the Western Front § 1914 – 1917, the two sides are in a deadlock § Attack after attack from both sides results in little change in territory, but huge casualties § Casualties = dead AND wounded § Both sides seek help from allies
The Great War/The War to End All Wars
Italy: Whose side are you on anyway? § Before WWI, they had a defensive pact with the Triple Alliance § When G & A-H declared war on other countries, Italy declared itself “neutral” § Italy negotiates an agreement of land with Britain & France if the Allies win the war § May, 1915: Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary § August, 1915: Italy declares war on Germany
The Sinking of the Lusitania § Departs New York City, bound for Liverpool, England § Carrying munitions and 1, 198 passengers, mostly British and Canadian § German U-boats sink her off the coast of Ireland § Death of 128 Americans onboard caused uproar § Helped turn public opinion against Germany
Battle of the Somme (July – November, 1916)
Battle of the Somme – July 1, 1916 § Germans were capable of defending themselves well § 60, 000 casualties on the first day for Allies § No Canadians fought the first day but 1 st Newfoundland Regiment fought at Beaumont Hamel § Suffered devastating losses § At roll call, only 68 men answered to their names of the 801 that fought
Battle of the Somme (July – November, 1916) § Battle becomes synonymous with the horror of WWI § The Germans call is “das Blutbad” (The Bloodbath) § Devastation on both sides: Britain, France, + Commonwealth Casualties 650, 000 Deaths 147, 000 § The Allies gained only 13 km Canada Germany 24, 000 unknown 600, 000 164, 000
The U. S. Enters the War § Germany launches all-out submarine warfare in North Atlantic Ocean in February, 1917 despite promise with U. S. not to § Zimmerman telegram (Germany asks for Mexico’s support; promises lost territory in return) § U. S. declares war on Germany in April, 1917 § American troops arrive in France in June, 1917
April, 1917 - Vimy Ridge
April, 1917 - Vimy Ridge § Germans were well defended and previous Allied attacks by British and French were unsuccessful § all 4 Canadian divisions fought at the same time § General Arthur Currie studied French tactics and employed the same strategies (ie. used air photos, rehearsed strategy) § In 3 days, Canadians were able to take Hill 145 amid terrible weather and fierce defence by Germans § 10, 000 casualties § 4 Canadians win the Victoria Cross
April, 1917 - Vimy Ridge § 4 Canadians win the Victoria Cross § Major-General Arthur Currie is knighted on the battlefield by King George V § Seen as “the birth of the nation”
April, 1917 - Vimy Ridge § In 1922, France ceded 100 hectare preserved battlefield park to Canada § Memorial there to represent Canadian sacrifices and for the 11, 285 presumed dead in France with no known grave
The Last Hundred Days August 4, 1918 – November 11, 1918 § Previous successes at Vimy, France and Passchendaele, Belgium awarded Canadian soldiers with the reputation of being very effective shock troops § Canadians were given the responsibility of being at the front during attacks in the last hundred days which lead to a series of successes
The Last Hundred Days August 4, 1918 – November 11, 1918 § Overall objective is to take Hindenburg Line § Canadians help take Amiens, Arras, Canal du Nord, Cambrais, and others § In 100 days, 100, 000 Canadians advanced 130 km, captured 32, 000 prisoners, acquired 3, 800 pieces of artillery, machine guns, mortars § 30 Canadians & Newfoundlanders earned Victoria Cross § 6, 800 died, 39, 000 wounded § Last person of the Commonwealth to die in war was Canadian
November 11, 1918 – Armistice Day § Germany signs an armistice agreement § Celebration in major cities but not necessarily on the front
- Slides: 27