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The Battle of Verdun

The Battle of Verdun. Jordan Kurtz, Meryl Seah, Michelle Lee, Tamara Lagow, Tia Jin. Thesis. Through the long and grueling battle of Verdun, the eventual French victory over the Germans ignited nationalism in the hearts of the French. Maps. Background.

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The Battle of Verdun

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  1. The Battle of Verdun Jordan Kurtz, Meryl Seah, Michelle Lee, Tamara Lagow, Tia Jin

  2. Thesis Through the long and grueling battle of Verdun, the eventual French victory over the Germans ignited nationalism in the hearts of the French.

  3. Maps

  4. Background • Dates: February 21, 1916 - December 18, 1916 • France vs. Germany on Western Front • Longest single battle of WWI • Germany wanted decisive breakthrough from endless trench warfare.

  5. Timeline-1916 • Feb. 21-Battle began • June 1-Germany launched first major attack at Verdun. • July-Kaiser replaced Falkenhayn with Hindenburg. • October-French recaptured Vaux and Douaumont. • December 16-The battle ended

  6. Battle Strategies • Began with Germans attacking fortified French town of Verdun with 10 hours of heavy concentrated firepower. • French were forced back - did not break. • Some artillery used: concentrated shellfire, poison gas, flamethrowers.

  7. Result • The Battle of Verdun is considered by historians as one of the most costly, legal conflicts, which caused significant casualties for both the French and Germans. Nevertheless, it is an iconic symbol of France’s military victories.

  8. Immediate Impact • As a result of the bloody conflict, the French were psychologically traumatized, influencing France’s national psych. • Death toll for both sides exceeds ¼ million (163,000 French + 143,000 German) 30,000 deaths per month • The bloody failure of 1917’s Nivelle Offensive, a large-scale assault on German lines, delivered a blow to morale enough to cause a widespread mutiny in the French Army • Significant consequences on the Allied Powers’ military strategies.

  9. Impact (cont.) • Battle of Verdun was Britain’s primary reason for starting the Battle of Somme (to take German pressure off French) • To the French, this battle represented the nation’s military strength. The battle of Verdun symbolized for the French the strength and fortitude of their armed forces and the solidarity of the entire nation • Falkenhayn was replaced by Hindenburg as Chief of General Staff and Pétain replaced General Nivelle as French commander-in-chief • Longest single battle from WWI • One of the most devastating battles in WWI and also in the overall history of warfare

  10. Bibliography • http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/battle_verdun.shtml • http://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-battle-of-verdun# • http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_audoin_03_verdun.html • https://www.pbs.org/greatwar/chapters/ch2_slaughter.html • http://www.birdbattlefieldtours.com/map_verdun.htm • http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/p/verdun.htm

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