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The Outbreak of World War I. Leading up to World War I. Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism. Militarism. Glorification of the military Leads to increased suspicions between countries & made war more likely Readiness for war came to dominate national policies. Alliances.
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Leading up to World War I • Militarism • Alliances • Imperialism • Nationalism
Militarism • Glorification of the military • Leads to increased suspicions between countries & made war more likely • Readiness for war came to dominate national policies
Alliances • Distrust amongst great powers leads to alliances • Intended to create powerful combinations that no one would attack • Two main sets of alliances emerge: • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy • Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, Russia
Imperialism • the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries • Why European focus on Imperialism? • Economic • Political • Cultural
Nationalism • Germany: Proud of new military power & industrial leadership • France: wanted to regain position as Europe’s leading power; sought revenge for “lost provinces” • Russia: promoted idea of Pan-Slavism, felt duty to defend all Slavic people • The Balkans: Rising nationalism creates “powder keg in Europe”
“The Spark” • June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary assassinated by Serbian nationalist, GavriloPrincip
The war begins • July 28, 1914: Austria declares war on Serbia • August 1, 1914: Germany declares war on Russia • August 3, 1914: Germany declares war on France • August 4, 1914: Germany invades Belgium • (Schlieffen Plan put in action) • Great Britain declares war on Germany • October 28, 1914: Ottoman Empire enters World War I
Two Sides in World War I Allied Powers: Central Powers:
Advantages of Each Side • Allied Powers • More Soldiers • Greater Industrial Power • Superior Navy • 32 countries
Central Powers • Well-trained Army • Well equipped Army • Territory allowed for rapid troop movement/communication
World Leaders during WWI Allied Powers: Central Powers: Nicholas II [Rus] Wilhelm II [Ger] George V [Br] Victor Emmanuel II [It] Enver Pasha[O.E.] Franz Josef [A-H] Pres. Poincare [Fr]
The Schlieffen Plan • German plan to attack France by invading Belgium • Goal was to achieve quick victory against France, avoid fighting a war on two fronts
How the war escalated • Austria-Hungary wanted to punish Serbia • Germany wanted to stand strong behind its ally • Russia saw an attempt to oppress Slavic people • France feared facing Germany alone later on • Great Britain felt compelled to protect Belgium
1st Battle of the Marne (Western Front) • September 5, 1914 • Allies block German offensive • Germans forced to retreat Outcome: German plan for quick victory ruined War turns into a stalemate Trench warfare begins
Battle of Verdun • February 21 – December 18, 1916 • Germans launch offensive against the French • One of longest & most devastating battles • More than 500,000 dead
Battle of the Somme • Battle begins July 1, 1916 • Allied offensive against Germany • One of the largest & bloodiest battles of World War I • Over 1 million troops killed
Weapons of World War I • Machine Gun • Improved Artillery
Tanks • U-boats
Airplanes • Zeppelins
The Eastern Front • Russia suffers from major shortages • Food, clothing, weapons, ammunition • Allies could not ship supplies • Blockade by Central Powers • Russia suffers major casualties