Causes, Weapons, and Tactics of World War I

1. Causes, Weapons, and Tactics of World War I The “isms,” guns, gas, and guts

2. Alliances • In order to provide safety for their citizens, leaders chose to enter into alliances with other countries • When an ally went to war, you were obligated to as well • Triple Alliance (AKA Central Powers) • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (until 1915) • Triple Entente (AKA Allies) • Britain, France, Russia (until 1917), US (starting in 1917)

3. Militarism • New weapons led to build up of militaries • Russia - largest in the world, but very outdated • Germany - most powerful and modern army of all • Britain - most powerful navy in the world

4. Nationalism • Belief of many countries that they can do no wrong • Results from propaganda spread by government and media (yellow journalism) • Very dangerous as citizens do not think critically for themselves

5. Imperialism • Belief that getting new lands around the globe adds resources and power • Conflicts arise as European nations fight for position in Asia and Africa

6. Short Term Cause - “The Lighting of the Power Keg” Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary

7. Assassination Starts Trouble • Slavs in Austria-Hungary want freedom (nationalism) • Slavs are allied with Serbia (alliances) • Gavrilo Princip, a member of the terrorist organization called the Black Hand, shoots and kills the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Bosnia • Austria-Hungary immediately declares war on Serbia

8. Technology of WWI Considered the “First Modern War”

9. Rifles • Much more accurate and could shoot farther

11. Poison Gas • First used by the Germans and later by Allies • A way to combat trench warfare • Heavier than air to sink into trenches • Burned eyes and/or lungs • Gas masks began to be used.

14. Trench Warfare • Trenches were dug to hide in • 6 to 8 feet deep, they filled with water in rain • Men lived in trenches for months or years without leaving them • Boredom and terror were two most common states • Stalemate - no movement • No Man’s Land - area between trenches was cleared with flamethrowers and guarded with barbed wire

17. Machine Guns • Capable of shooting 300 rounds (bullets) per minute consistently • Did the work of 80 rifles with a crew of four • Very heavy (140 lbs), jammed a lot, and overheated before becoming water cooled by end of war. • Placed on trenches, they stopped troop movements

19. Tanks • In 1916, these creations began to be used by the French • Germans quickly created some as well • Soldiers were able to hide behind them • Had troubles with getting stuck in trenches

21. Airplanes • Used primarily to scout enemy lines • Could be used to drop explosives • Had machine guns mounted above wings • Dogfight - air to air fighting between planes • Famous pilots • Baron von Richtofen (Germany)- “Red Baron” • Eddie Rickenbacker (American flying for France)

23. Zeppelins • Also known as blimps • Used to glide over cities and drop bombs • Very slow but few guns could shoot them down

26. U-Boats • German submarines that wreaked havoc with the Allies • Snuck up on prey without warning and fired torpedoes • Cannot be defended when surfaced, but cannot see what target is when submerged

28. Your Task: Due Next Block! • Write a letter from the western front in WWI describing what life is like in the trenches. • Ideas you might wish to include: • Weapons, injuries, food, living conditions, gangrene, emotions, and relationships