World War I:
“The great war”

WW I Background

America 1900

	Becoming a superpower.
	Peace & Prosperity
	Isolationist-not wanting involvement in foreign affairs
	Philippine-Am. War too long.
	Small standing army

Europe

	Late 1800’s-nationalism swept across Europe.
	Many small nations-like Bosnia & Serbia today.
	Countries built up their armies.
	Many feared a coming war.

Major European Powers

	Germany
	Austria-Hungary
	England
	France
	Russia

The Players
 Central Powers –              “Bad Guys”

	Germany
	Austria-Hungary
	Ottoman Empire (Turkey)

Triple Entente (Allies)
“The Good Guys”

	France
	Great Britain
	Russia

Gathering Storm

	Many of the poor & have-nots were demanding changes in European society.
	Revolution: anarchists, socialists & communists were threatening the established governments.
	Helped set the stage for war.

The “Spark”

	Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist, July 1914.

War Frenzy

	Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
	Russia defends Serbia, declares war on Austria-Hungary.
	Germany defends Austria-Hungary, declares war on Russia & France.
	Germany invades neutral Belgium.
	Great Britain, France & Russia declare war on Germany.

World War – areas of action

	Western Front: France & Belgium
	Eastern Front: Russia & Aus/Hun
	Middle East: Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
	Atlantic Ocean: German           U-Boats (submarines)

“The Great War”
What made it so “special”!

	Industrialization – changed society and warfare.
	Military leaders were slow to realize the changes.
	Result:                                            20th Century Weapons +
	19th Century Tactics
	= mass murder.