Military Origins of the War to End all Wars

There were 3 main conflicts that we can visit which will shed enormous light on the tactics, and strategies used by the Central and Allied

Powers during World War I

1. The American Civil War 1861-65

• This is the first major conflict in which weapons with rifled barrels were used by a vast majority of combatants. Existing tactics could not cope with their extended range. (upwards of ½ mile in many cases.)

Civil War continued

• Prior to this war, troops carrying the quick loading, but woefully inaccurate smoothbore muskets would either form a line to shoot at the enemy or form a column to charge the enemy.

Civil war continued

• Artillery also had benefited from technology. Cannons were larger, more accurate, and gunpowder and shells were more lethal.

Civil War Continued

• The first response to the increased damage from technology was to build rudimentary (basic )defenses to fire from. These helped, but more was needed.

Take a look at this Prison/fort system in Port Lookout, Md. It was built with the idea that multiple areas of defense should be connected by

well built lines of re-supply and communication.

Another innovation of the American War between the states was the idea of using cavalry as a dismounted strike force. The soldiers could move extremely quickly to wherever needed and enter the fight fresh.

2.The Franco-Prussian War 1870-71

• This conflict probably did more to set up World War I than any other conflict. The 2 combatants are precisely 2 of the main opponents of the First World War.

The Franco-Prussian War

France and the German state of Prussia went to war over territorial disputes and the succession of the Spanish Throne. Prussia would win the war and thus finalize German unification.

Franco-Prussian War

• Prussia would gain 2 territories called Alsace and Lorraine, which are located on the border of France & the new Germany.

• The French emperor was captured and forced to abdicate. The 3rd French Republic was born.

• In a final crushing gesture, France was forced to pay 5 billion francs. This was an incredible amount of money at the time. Especially to a country which was just soundly beaten in a war.

Franco-Prussian War

• The French had a standing army of 400,000 soldiers and attacked toward Bavaria. They had few plans to quickly mobilize and train more troops.

The Franco Prussian War

• The Prussian army was made up of conscripts and reservists and numbered 1.4 million 14 days after mobilization. They were quick to react to the French attack.

The Franco-Prussian War also saw Prussia using technology in logistics. Although started in the American Civil War, trains and

telegraphs were used extensively by Prussia. They were able to send troops quickly to wherever they were needed.

The Franco-Prussian War

• France used better rifles that had a longer range, and were quick to load.

• The Prussians had much better artillery that was very effective.

3)The Russo-Japanese War

• In 1904 and 1905 Russia and Japan went to war over territory in Manchuria and Korea. The result was a victory for Japan, and a new respect for the former isolationist country. Russian would never really recover.

Russo-Japanese war

• Russia and Japan both had navies that included the new class of heavy battleship called “Dreadnaughts.” This is the first major conflict where they are used.

Russo-Japanese War

• Other countries were greatly interested in the results of the War. Russia was one of the last imperial powers and its fortunes seemed to be declining. Japan was recent in its opening and westernization.

Russo-Japanese War

• Although the Japanese won, tactics changed throughout the conflict and the combatants became bogged down in defensive struggles.