Immediate Cause of World War I
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism were all underlying causes for World War I to begin, but one specific incident brought those many causes to a climax.
Read about the immediate cause of the war.
1. How did the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand instigate (urge on) the collapse of peace in Europe?
Germany "would have Paris for lunch, St. Petersburg for dinner." `Kaiser Wilhelm II
The assumption that the European war would end quickly was far from correct.
Watch the animation of the "Outbreak of War" in Europe.
2. How did the Schlieffen Plan support Kaiser Wilhelm's goals in the quote above?
Life in the Trenches
After the initial invasion of France by the Germans, the Allied troops pushed the German troops back to a stalemate position. Neither side would back down; so they 'dug in.'
View Chapter 1: Trench Warfare and watch the videos.
3. In the section "Organization of Trenches," what were the four types of trenches used by the Allies?
4. Enlarge the picture - Diagram of trench system. Why do you think the trenches were formed in a zig-zag trype pattern?
5. Describe "no-man's land."
Total War
By 1915, the war had become a global war.
Read about how the war had become global.
6. Name 3 ways that the war had become a global war - as opposed to simply a ground war fought in Europe.
Slaughter
The battles on the Western Front are known for their huge numbers of losses sustained by the Allied troops.
7. How many soldiers were lost at the battle of Somme, Verdun and Ypres?
Mutiny
In 1917, after years of combat, trench warfare and the disruption of daily lives in European nations, many countries wanted to continue fighting to victory. However, as time passed and the nations rejected all peace initiatives, people on both sides began to question the manslaughter and violence.
Read about the disillusionment and disobedience of soldiers on the front lines.
8. How did the mutinies (or rebellions) affect the French and Russian armies?
9. Read the section labeled "The End of Heroism" on the right side of the Mutiny page. Explain how the soldiers living in the trenches "lived with the dead."
Collapse
Despite the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915, President Woodrow Wilson was able to negotiate trade with belligerents of the war without provoking Germany.
Read about how America got involved in World War I.
10. What led to the American involvement in the Great War?
By 1918, 5 million American soldiers were in uniform and helping the Allied forces end the Great War.
11. Describe what events led to the collapse of the German army/navy and their war effort. How did the Kaiser's abdication (giving up) of the throne affect the war effort?
Hatred & Hunger
On the 11th day of the 11th month, the Allies and the Central Powers agreed to an armistice or cease-fire. People all over the globe experienced feelings of nationalism, self-determination and the opportunities of democracy but many knew the peace was not likely to last.
Read about the peace agreement and the treatment of Germany following the armistice.
12. Though armistice was in effect, how did the Allies still wage war on Germany?
13. When Woodrow Wilson arrived in Paris in 1918, what was the one thing he wanted from the peace negotiations?
14. Look at the photograph above "Hatred & Hunger." Who were the Big Four at the peace conference?
War Without End
Once the war ended, many military men were very attached to their experiences of war. They had experienced camraderie like never before.
Read about how people were affected by the war.
15. How did the Germans feel differently than other Europeans about the war?
16. Look at the map of Europe 1918-1920. How many new countries were created by the Treaty of Versailles? Compare this map to the map of Europe in 1914.