World War I

Content Standards

• Advances in technology, communication and transportation improved lives, but also had negative consequences.

• The causes of World War I included militarism, imperialism, nationalism and alliances

• The consequences of World War I and the worldwide depression set the stage for the Russian Revolution, the rise of totalitarianism, aggressive Axis expansion and the policy of appeasement, which in turn led to World War II.

• Oppression and discrimination resulted in the Armenian Genocide during World War I and the Holocaust, the state-sponsored mass murder of Jews and other groups

archduke

What doe M.A.I.N. stand for?

Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism

M: Militarism

The aggressive preparation for war

Mobilization: the process of assembling troops and supplies making them ready for war.

As armies grew(conscription)and more powerful weapons created, so did the influence of military leaders.  They had complex plans in the event of a war. War seemed inevitable  or glorious and led to a lack of trust between nations. Arms race

A: Alliances

A: Alliances

Formal agreement where countries agree to support and defend one another if attacked.

Intensified the dangers of militarism. Europe's great powers had been divided into two loose political alliances.  In 1914 the European states believed their allies were important  and were willing to preserve the powers of them and their allies.

1. Triple Alliance (1882)- Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

2.Triple Entente (1907)- France, Great Britain, and Russia

Analogy " Domino Effect" . Small conflict turns into large conflict because of alliance system.

I: Imperialism

The competition for lands abroad, especially in Africa by Europeans , led to conflict and heightened the existing rivalries among European states as they fought for land.

Created in tense rivalries, competing for resources, sphere or influence (control over trade routes, etc).

N: Nationalism

Intense patriotism and belief in nation superiority

Not all ethnic groups became nations. Slavic minorities still dreamed of their own nations and so did the Irish. Each country wanted their own glory

Creates intense rivalries, desire for self determination, and belief in national superiority.

1.Serbia (supported by Russia) was determined to create a large independent ethnic ___ state in the Balkans. 

Slavnic

2.Princip and The Black Hand wanted ___ to  be free from ___ and become part of a large Serbian Kingdom. 

Bosnia, Austria-Hungary

3.Germany gave Austria a “___ ___” -pledging their full support 

Blank Check

4.Austria-Hungary declared War on ___

Serbia

5.Russia backed ___ cause 

Serbia’s

6.Russia ordered ___ on Austria-Hungary

mobilization

7.Germany demanded they stop, declared war on ___

Russia

8.Schlieffen plan led to Germany declaring War with ___

France

9. Great Britain Declared War on ___ for violating Belgian neutrality. 

Germany

GSP 1-Called for two front war with ___ and ___ because the two formed a military alliance in 1894

France, Russia

GSP 2-Germany conduct a small holding plan on ___, while most of the ___ army would carry out a rapid invasion of ___

Russia, Germany, France

GSP3-Germany delcared war on ___ and cut thorough Belgium (neutral state)

France

GSP 4-Well, great Britain declared war on ___ for violating Belgium neutrality

Germany

Propaganda-

ideas spread of influence public opinion for or against a cause

Trench Warfare-

fighting from ditches protected by barbed wire, as in World War I

War of Attrition-

A war based on wearing down the other side with constant attacks and heavy losses, such as World War I

Total War-

A war that involved the complete mobilization of resources and people, affecting the lives of all citizens in the warring countries, even those remote from the battle field

Planned Economies-

An economic system directed by government agencies

Rationing-

to allow each person to have only a fixed amount of 

Eastern Front-

marked by mobility. High mobility with enormous casualties. The Russian army was defeated at Tannenburg then pushed far back into its own territory. Russian casualties 2.6 million killed, captured, or wounded.

Western Front-

a stalemate, two lines of trenches locked in place for four years. Neither Germany nor France could dislodge eachother.

Central Powers-

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottaman Empire, and Bulgaria

Allies-

France, Great Britain, and Russia

Blockaded-

seal off (a place) to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving.

1.) What new illusions revealed themselves in 1914?

Government propaganda, Going to war but it will be over before christmas(rational illusion).

2.) Why did many Europeans think the war would be over quickly?

Almost all European wars since 1815 had ended in a matter of weeks

3.) How did the fight on the Western and Eastern front differ?

The Western Front was a stalemate, two lines of trenches locked in place for four years. Neither Germany nor France could dislodge each other. The Eastern Front was marked by mobility. High mobility with enormous casualties. The Russian army was defeated at Tannenburg then pushed far back into its own territory. Russian casualties 2.6 million killed, captured, or wounded.

4.) Why did technology make it difficult for armies on the Western Front to mount a successful attack?

Trench warfare baffles military leaders. Massed bayonet charges across open fields were succeed against mechanized defense

5.) How did the German policy of unrestricted warfare draw the United States into war? Include the sinking of the Lusitania in your answer. 

The German policy drew the United States into war because German forces sank the British ship Lusitania which resulted in the death of over 100 Americans f the 1,100civilians aboard.  The U.S. the protested and the German government suspended the unrestricted submarine warfare to avoid antagonizing the U. S. any further. It was the returning in January, 1917 which led the U. S. to join the war in April of that year.

6.) How did Imperialism expand World War I? 

Imperialism expanded World War I because countries need resources which would involve their allies

7.) Why were women granted the right to vote after WWI?

Because in some countries the role women played in in wartime economies had a positive impact on the women’s movement for social and political emancipation.

What is Propaganda?

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause. This can be used to unite of divide people

• It can be used to make people support the war effort or discourage them from supporting the enemy

• Often relies on disinformation and name-calling

• Many times, in a time of war, it is also used to spread nationalism or increase fear in a population

Total War

Resource management: Food rationing, “Victory Gardens”, or saving materials like coal and steel

Financial Support: Appeals to buy War Bonds or Liberty Loans to fund the military

Industrial Labor: Pictures of factories, munition manufacturing, and the transition of civil businesses to war production

Women, Minorities and Colonial Subjects

During WWI, governments needed to recruit groups that were often excluded from full citizenship or high-status roles. This category highlights how these groups were essential to the was effort and how government appealed to their specific identities.

New Roles for Women: Look for women in uniforms (nurses, drivers) or factory gear, often with slogans like “They need us over there'“

Representation of “The Other”: Look for posters featuring colonial soldiers (from India or Africa) to show the global reach of the empire

Appeal to Duty: Messaging that suggests serving the war effort is a path toward proving worth, gaining rights, of fulfilling a civic duty

Nationalism

Using intense pride in one’s country, and often the demonization of the enemy- to inspire action. Creates an “Us vs. Them” mentality to unify the population through either extreme devotion or extreme fear.

National Symbols: Frequent use of flags, eagles, or “Uncle Sam”

The “Enemy as Monster”: Look for “Atrocity Propaganda” where the enemy is depicted as a brute, a beast, or a direct threat to the family and home

Emotional Guilt: Direct questions to the viewer, such as “What will you tell your children you did?” of “Who follows? to challenge their loyalty to the nation