World War I

1. World War I

2. The Belligerents • Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire

3. The Belligerents • Territory extended from the North Sea to the Middle East • Helped with communication

4. The Belligerents • Germany’s well trained and equipped army was an advantage.

5. The Belligerents • Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Russia • Had more soldiers

6. The Belligerents • Great Britain’s navy was an advantage • Greatest navy in the world

7. Innovations in Warfare • U-boats (submarines) were first used by the Germans. • Germans introduce poison gas

8. U-Boats

9. Other new Weapons • Machine guns • Long range artillery

10. Trenches • Trenches were dug in defense to the machine guns

11. Airplanes • Used in air battles (dog fights) • Dropped bombs

12. Other new Areas of War • First war man are drafted • Women start working while men go to war

13. Early Years of War • British blockade the North Sea to keep merchant ships form Germany • Germany used u-boats to sink ships carrying food and arms to the British

14. Early Years of War • 1915: Germany sank the Lusitania (British passenger boat) • 1,200 people were killed, including 128 Americans • U.S. president, Woodrow Wilson stated he would not tolerate such actions

15. The U.S. in the War • U.S. want to remain neutral • Supplied food and raw materials • Due to the blockade of Germany, U.S. traded w/ allies • Influenced by propaganda

16. The U.S. in the War • Arthur Zimmerman • Sent a telegram to German ambassador in Mexico proposing alliance w/ Mexico • Offered Mexico to help regain Arizona, new Mexico, and Texas if they entered the war as a Central Power

17. The U.S. in the War • British intercepted the Zimmerman note and it was published in American newspapers • Germany declares a “war zone” around Great Britain, sinking every ship possible

18. The U.S. in the War • This killed many Americans • 4/6/1917: U.S. declares war on Germany