The Profound Impact of World War I on Humanity and the 20th Century
World War I, often termed The Great War or The War to End All Wars, reshaped the course of human history and had lasting effects on the 20th century. Triggered by a complex web of alliances and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the war involved trench warfare, new military technologies, and significant loss of life. Propaganda and literature of the time highlighted the grim reality faced by soldiers. The dire outcomes of WWI contributed to the onset of WWII, the rise of superpowers, and the birth of international peace organizations, showcasing the high price of conflict.
The Profound Impact of World War I on Humanity and the 20th Century
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Presentation Transcript
Abstract How world war one has had a profound effect on the humanity and the century that followed it.
Names used for World War One • The Great War • The War to End All Wars • The Forgotten War
How it started With a tangle of Alliances. WWI era map of Europe • Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated by Serbian rebels • Which gave Austria-hungry an excuse to invade Serbia, Germany gave support. • Russia was allied with Serbia and Declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungry. • France was allied with Russia so they Declared war on Germany. • Germany invaded Belgium which had a treaty with Britain • Britain Was obliged to defend Belgium and Declared war on Germany • U.S. joined later after German U-boats sank several U.S. ships.
How It Was Fought • Through Trench Warfare • Attrition • Underground Tunneling • Machine Guns • Massive Suicide Charges • Poisonous Gas (i.e. Mustard Gas, Chlorine)
How it was Fought Cont… • Artillery Shelling • The beginning of Tank Warfare. • The Beginning of Air forces, and bombers. • Flame throwers begin use
Battle of Paschendeale What is the price of a mile? 21.59 men dead or wounded for every foot gained. That’s 140,000 men for every mile. The total advance was a little over five miles.
Literature on the war SUICIDE IN THE TRENCHES By Siegfried Sassoon I knew a simple soldier boy Who grinned at life in empty joy, Slept soundly through the lonesome dark, And whistled early with the lark. In winter trenches, cowed and glum, With crumps and lice and lack of rum, He put a bullet through his brain. No one spoke of him again. You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you'll never know The hell where youth and laughter go. Suicide in the Trenches- by Siegfried Sassoon. The Send Off- by Wilfred Owen A Dead Boche- by Robert Graves A Farewell to Arms- by Ernest Hemmingway In Flanders Field- By John McCrae
Long Term Effects • The bad peace of WWI lead directly to WWII. • The rise of the U.S. into a super power. • Caused the Great depression. • Lost an entire generation of young men. • Created first world peace organization • Rise of National Socialism and Hitler • Brought about communist takeover of Russia • The Atomic Bomb • The Cold War
In Conclusion “How high a price is victory? That's a question we owe to the First World War. And the question is still with us today.” -Jay Winter, Historian
Bibliography Duffy, Micheal. How it Began Intro to WWI. 22 August 2009. 8 March 2011 <http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/index.htm>. Jack, Richard. The Second Battle of Ypres, 22 April to 25 May 1915. Beaverbrook Collection of War Art. Winter, Jay. The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century. 2004. 8 March 2011 <http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/thenandnow/>. World War I. 9 March 2011 <http://www.world-wars.org/worldwar1/>.
