The First World War 1914- 1918

The Outbreak of War

The Outbreak of War

Aims:

• Examine Britain’s reasons for going to war.

• Identify why the Schlieffen Plan failed

Treaty of London 1839

• In 1839, Britain, Germany and other European countries signed the Treaty of London.

• This agreement stated that Belgium was to be a neutral country – no other country was to invade Belgium.

Why Did Britain Enter the War?

• To defend Belgium• To stop Germany dominating Europe• To stop Germany controlling the seas• To settle old rivalries with Germany.• To help her allies in the Triple

Entente

The Schlieffen PlanThe plan was based on a number of assumptions:The Russian army would take 6 weeks to mobilise.France could be defeated in 6 weeks.Belgium would not resist any German attack.The British would remain neutral.

However things didn’t quite go according to plan……..

Why Did the Schlieffen Plan

Fail?

Why Did the Schlieffen Plan

Fail?

The Russians mobilised quicker than expected – the Germans had to send troops to the East to fight the Russians.

The Belgian army put up a strong fight and slowed down the German advance

The BEF arrived in Belgium and also helped to slow down the German advance

The German troops had to cover a huge distance in a short space of time – troops were exhausted and short of supplies

Bravo Belgium Cartoon

• Cartoons can be very useful to the historian when looking at past events.

• Most daily newspapers had a cartoon which commented on events that were happening the time.

• Cartoonists would often poke fun at a situation or criticise what is happening.

• Therefore cartoons often contain exaggeration and bias.

• They can also help us to see what people’s opinions were at the time.

This cartoon was produced in the British magazine, ‘Punch’ and was drawn on 12th August 1914.

It was drawn by FH Townsend

Bravo Belgium Cartoon

1. Which country does the young boy represent? How do we know this?

2. Which country does the old man represent? How do we know this?

3. What does it say on the gate? How does this reflect what was happening at the time?

4. What is the caption of the cartoon and what does this mean?

5. Using your answers to q 1-4 which country does the cartoonist support?

The War of Movement 1914

• The first few months of the war were known as the ‘War of Movement’.

• Both sides tried to secure a quick victory against the other to bring the war to an end.

The Battle of the Marne 1914

• Most of the French army was positioned along its border with Germany.

• The French had to move quickly or they would be unable to defend Paris.

• Along with the BEF the French army fought the Germans at the River Marne.

• By Sept 19th, the Germans retreated and Paris was saved.

• The Schlieffen Plan was in ruins – Germany now had to face WAR ON TWO FRONTS.

The Race to the Sea 1914• Despite losing the Battle of the Marne

the Germans still occupied most of north-east France.

• Both sides tried to outflank each other and surround their enemy.

• The British were concerned they would be cut off from important French ports like Dunkirk and Calais – this would prevent supplies and reinforcements from reaching France.

• In October 1914 the British and Germans fought in a bloody battle at Ypres – 20,000 Germans were killed and 8,000 British. But the town was saved and the Race to Sea won.

Calais and Dunkirk

Ypres

Winter 1914

• Despite a hectic few months with high casualties the war had reached a ‘stalemate’ – no one was wining.

• With winter approaching it would be impossible to fight large scale battles on flat land.

• Both sides dug trenches to defend themselves during the winter months.

• Soon a line of trenches stretched from the English Channel through Belgium and France to the Swiss border in the south.

• This line of trenches became known as the WESTERN FRONT.