Chapter 18 The Course of the War

The Allies

• France, Great Britain and Russia–Formerly the Triple Entente–(Italy enters 1915, U.S. enters

1917)

The Central Powers

• Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria–Formerly called the Triple Alliance

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Western Front

• German Attack – the need for speed–Need to fight on both fronts.

• British and French – strong resistance

Western Front (cont.)

• Trench Warfare – first 4 months 1.5 million killed or wounded.• Both sides dug vast trenches

across French countryside.• “No Man’s Land” – in between

trenches. Packs Trench Warfare

Western Front (cont.)

•New Weapons – machine guns, long range guns, poison gas, tanks• Later in war planes

Western Front (cont.)

• Stalemate – neither side gained much territory.• Standoff at Verdun (5 month

siege by Germans)–700,000 die

• 1916-1917 not much “winning”

Eastern Front

• 1914 – Russians won victories in Eastern Germany–Later badly beaten by Germany at

Tannenberg.• Spring 1915 A-H & Germany

attack – force Russian retreat.

Eastern Front

• Late 1916, Russians were near collapse; ports blocked.• Poorly trained, ill equipped, badly

led, poor morale, heavy losses.• 1915 – 2 million killed, wounded

captured–Sign treaty with Germany March 1918.

Other Fronts

• Italy – neutral at first, then secret agreement with France & Great Britain–Get territory in Australia and Africa

• Fall 1917: A-H and Germany attack Italian lines and force retreat.

Other Fronts (cont.)

• Ottoman Empire (Turkey) – fiercest fighting.–Mines in seas, heavy artillery on shores;

kept Russians blocked.• Great Britain and Arabs revolt living in OE

fight back Ottomans withdraw in October 1918

The U.S. and WWI

• Americans – wanted to remain neutral.• Supplied food, raw materials, and

munitions to both sides. (allies more)–Contraband – could be seized.

• British propaganda – atrocities by Germans.

The U.S. and WWI (cont.)

• Lusitania – sunk by German U-boat May 1915. – 128 Americans killed.

• Other U.S. ships attacked.

The U.S. and WWI (cont.)

• Arthur Zimmerman – sent telegram to Mexico encouraging them to attack U.S. (Intercepted by Britain)–In return Germany would help

Mexico get Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

The U.S. and WWI (cont.)

• Central Powers against democracy.• U.S. and allies pro-democracy.• April 6, 1917 U.S. declares war on

Germany.