Total War

The Great Slaughter (1916-1917)

  • German offensives in the west resumed after successes in the east.

  • Early trenches evolved into complex defense systems.

  • Trenches protected by barbed wire, concrete machine-gun nests.

  • Russia experienced early gains but retreated due to German forces; Treaty of Brest-Litovsk led to loss of territory.

Warfare Innovations and Challenges

Impact of the Machine Gun

  • Trench warfare on Western Front hampered traditional mobile warfare strategies.

  • Military leaders' attempts to achieve breakthroughs resulted in mass casualties.

  • Notable offensives:

    • Verdun and Somme campaigns (1916) resulted in massive loss of life.

    • Machine guns made advancing troops highly vulnerable.

Daily Life in the Trenches

  • Horrors of trench warfare included panic during attacks and constant presence of death.

  • Soldiers often spent time in reserve trenches, facing mud, rats, and the stench of decay.

Global Expansion of the Conflict

  • Ottoman Empire joined Central Powers by end of 1914; Allies attacked to open Balkan fronts.

  • British forces, led by T.E. Lawrence, incited Arabs to revolt against Ottoman rule.

  • War soon became global, with fighting in Africa and East Asia, involving soldiers from colonies.

Entry of the United States

  • Pressure to remain neutral escalated as naval conflicts intensified.

  • American entry into war (April 6, 1917) provided a psychological boost for Allies.

Total War and Its Impact

Centralization of Government Power

  • Governments expanded power to organize wartime economies and military needs.

  • Civilian life impacted as total war blurred lines between military and civilian.

Economic Regimentation

  • Countries implemented rationing, labor regulations, and price controls.

  • Shortages caused civilian suffering, particularly in Germany where food rations were drastically reduced.

Social Changes

Changes for Women

  • Women entered workforce in unprecedented numbers; involvement in heavy industry increased.

  • Post-war, many women faced unemployment as they were pushed out of jobs taken during the war.

Class Impacts of War

  • War casualties affected all classes, but junior officers and unskilled soldiers faced the highest death rates.

  • Industrial barons profited significantly; governments often prioritized large industries over small firms.