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TRENCH TRENCH WARFARE IN WARFARE IN
THE GREAT THE GREAT WARWAR
**WW I began in Europe in 1914 and lasted until 1918.
The United States did not enter the war
until 1917.**
Neutrality-isolationism
Trench warfare Armies had dug a
network of trenches (deep protective ditches) along the Western Front in which soldiers lived worked and fought
Living conditions were poor, many soldiers suffered from diseases such as trenchfoot
Trench Foot
“No Man’s Land” The devastated area
between the opposing armies’ trench lines where everything had been destroyed
Soldiers would come out of the trenches and race toward the enemy while fully exposed to enemy fire
NEW WEAPONS
1. Machine Guns-biggest impact!
2. Artillery
3. Poison gas Germans introduced
the use of chemical gasses as weapons
These gasses could burn the skin, blind, or destroy the lungs if breathed in
Fortunately, gas masks and rubber chemical suits offered some protection
4. Tanks-least impact!
5. Airplanes
6. U-boats (submarines)
7. Hand Grenades
8. Land Mines
Russia Pulls Out of the War
Two revolutions in Russia in 1917 (the first one democratic, the second one communist) ousted Czar Nicholas II
The new Russian government negotiated a separate peace with Germany and withdrew Russia from the conflict, closing the Eastern Front
American Victories Summer 1918: US
forces successfully defended Paris from a German attack
Fall 1918: US forces began the Battle of Argonne Forest, which would eventually shatter Germany’s fighting abilities
The War Ends Revolt broke out in
Austria and the Ottomans surrendered to the Triple Entente, leaving Germany alone to fight
After a mutiny broke out in the German navy and the people of Berlin erupted in riots over food shortages in Nov. 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II stepped down as Germany’s leader, clearing the way for an armistice
WWI ended at 11 AM, Nov. 11, 1918-the 11th day the 11th month,
the 11th hour!
Wilson’s Wilson’s Fourteen Fourteen PointsPoints
Pres. Wilson presented his plan for resolving the war; his plan sought to restabilize Europe and resolve the root problems that had started WWI to begin with
Britain and France rejected Wilson’s plan in favor of punishing Germany with harsh reparations (fines)
Points 1 - 5
Ban secret alliances Respect freedom of
the seas Remove all barriers
to trade (tariffs) Everyone reduce the
size of their military Stop colonization,
respect the rights of native peoples
Points 6 - 13 Specified the creation
of new states in Europe (such as Poland) and redrew the boundaries of Europe
Also promoted self-determination for various European ethnic states
Point 14: The League of Nations
Create a “League of Nations” to help preserve peace and prevent future wars by offering a forum for resolving international disputes
The only one of Wilson’s 14 Points to be accepted by Europe
The Treaty of Versailles (ver sy)
Signed in June 1919Officially ended WWI
1. Germany had to accept the blame for causing WWI
2. Germany had to pay reparations of $33 billion
($350 billion in today’s money)
3. Germany could only have a limited military
4. Germany had to give up territory to France & Poland
5. Germany had to give up its overseas colonies
Germans signed – but were furious over the terms…. A
cause of WW II?
Congress Rejects the Treaty
US Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles because of strong opposition to joining the League of Nations –
Many feared that joining the League would mean giving up our right to decide our own foreign policies, while others saw the League as the type of “foreign entanglement” that Washington had warned the US to stay out of
US never signed the Treaty or joined the League, returned to a policy of isolationism
Casualties of war 1 in every 4 soldiers
involved died in the war
Even more were maimed: lost limbs, lost vision, burned, etc.
Many suffered from mental problems after the war: “shell shock” or PTSD
Europe lie in ruins
Austrian Corporal
Adolf Hitler
History Repeats Itself…
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