WWI 1914-1917

WWI1914-1917Unit 5: WWIThe Fighting BeginsGermany begins its offensive on August 4, 1914Violated Belgiums stance of neutrality

The Germans pillaged, burned, and attacked civilians as they passed through Belgium

This violated the rules of war established by the Hague Convention in 1907

The Rape of Belgium: Propaganda

Rape of Belgium: Propaganda

One of the most recognizable pieces of propagandaFrom WWISchlieffen PlanSowhy Belgium??

The Germans had the Schlieffen PlanCreated in 1905

Problem is, the Schlieffen plan is extremely inflexible and is outdated! WWI had to fit into these plans

Schlieffen PlanA two front warWestern war against France (1st step)Eastern war against Russia (2nd step)Germans believed Russia could not mobilize quickly

France had to be defeated before Germany to defeat Russia

Schlieffen PlanGermans in the east would hold off Russia

Germans in the west would quickly march through Belgium to Paris Paris would fall (and all of France with it)

The Germans in the west would march to Russia where they would join forces and defeat Russia and the czar

Plan XVIIThe French also had a plan! (Made in 1913)

France wanted back the area of Alsace-Lorraine Lost it during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and 1871Plan XVIIIt was an offensive strategy along the Franco-German borderAn advance by four French Armies into Alsace-Lorraine capture the fortresses from the Germans

They needed Britain to win!

Beginnings of Trench WarfareUnable to save Belgium, the British and French retreated to the Marne River in FranceStopped the Germans there in September 1914By the spring of 1915 the war had come to a standstill

Both sides dug trenches to protect themselves from open fireLand in-between called no-mans land