A New Kind of War

Despite the "Great War" failing to be the "war to end all wars", it's aftermath saw drastic political, cultural, and social change across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Four empires collapsed due to the war, old countries were abolished, new ones were formed, boundaries were redrawn, international organizations were established, and many new and old ideologies took a firm hold in people's minds.

Essential Questions

• What were the major events of the war?
• What were the outcomes and global effects of World War I?
• How did military strategy change due to new technologies?

Napoleonic War Technology

Designed and named for the French Emperor Napoleon III, the Napoleon was the workhorse artillery of the American Civil War. Cast of bronze, the smoothbore Napoleon was capable of firing a 12-pound solid ball, shell, case shot, or canister. Both sides deployed this versatile gun in large numbers.

Musket Rifles

By 1914, military technology and strategy would change drastically.

TOTAL WAR

WWI Military technology

Machine Guns

Female British Military INspectors and the Vickers Machine gun

Submachine guns

FLAME THROWERS

TANKS

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Zeppelins

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airplanes

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Trench warfare

TRench Warfare

• "No-Man's Land"
• Zig-Zag Pattern
• Used dominantly on the Western Front
• Stalemate
• Ended with proliferation of tanks

Trench Warfare

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Trench foot inspection

A case of Trench Foot

Menu: Trench Rats

A French Trench Barber

Poison Gas

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German U-Boats

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Turning Points

Major Turning Points of WWI

• Several events are considered turning points in World War I
• The Battles of Marne, Verdun, and Somme all furthered trench warfare and a deeper stalemate.
• U.S. entry into the war
• Russian withdrawal from the war

United States Entry

World War I began in 1914. Until 1917, the U.S. had maintained a policy of neutrality under President Woodrow Wilson.

U.S. Neutrality?

• 1/3 of Americans were foreign born in 1914
• Most Americans supported the Allies
• Many supported the Central Powers
• The U.S. chose to remain neutral but sold arms and materials to both sides

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Two events would push the U.S. to the Brink

The sinking of the lusitania

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The sinking of the Lusitania

• May 7th 1915
• German U-boats had been patrolling the North Sea for war supply ships
• Proper warfare protocol was to not attack passenger ships without warning
• German U-boat fired torpedo and sank British Ocean liner with Americans aboard

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SCANDAL!

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The Zimmerman Telegram

• February 25th, 1917
• British intelligence intercepts a telegram and gives it to President Wilson
• German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, offers to Mexico America's Southwest region
• "Join Germany to regain this region"
• Enrages the American public

PROPAGANDA

Combined with the United States entry into World War I in 1917, Russia's withdrawal from the war led to the war's conclusion and the Central Powers defeat.