Quick Review

1. Quick Review Causes of the Great War 1914 - 1918

2. Long Term (Three –isms) • Nationalism • Imperialism • Militarism • And alliances

3. Short Term • Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne

4. The Great War Begins Schlieffen Plan Western Front: Trench Warfare

5. Schlieffen Plan • Developed in 1905 by Count Alfred von Schlieffen • ? • Germany believed that war with Russia was likely • Possibility France would attack as well because it was an ally of Russia, and had been defeated by Germany in the Franco-Prussian War • Germany’s Main Concern: AVOID A TWO-FRONT WAR

6. Schlieffen Plan (cont’d) • The Plan • Defeat France quickly and rapidly, then turn to eastern front against the Russians • Why France First? • Knowledge of French defenses • Russia has few railroads, therefore slow to mobilize • Attack via Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg • 90% of German forces to knock out France, • Remaining 10% to defend eastern border • Let France violate Belgian neutrality first

7. Schlieffen Plan (cont’d) • Slight Alteration • Attack to be concentrated through Belgium, avoiding Holland • Overwhelm Belgian army then rapidly proceed to Paris

9. Schlieffen Plan (cont’d) • Important German Assumptions • Take Russia at least 6 weeks to mobilize • Easily defeat France in 6 weeks time period • Belgian army would provide little resistance • Britain would remain neutral • In Reality • Germany held up by Belgian Army and BEF • Russia needed only 10 days to mobilize • Germany doesn’t take opportunity to capture Paris → instead Battle of the Marne

10. Origins of Trench Warfare • Allies realize they are unable to save Belgium and retreat to the Marne River • Battle ensues with both sides trying to outflank one another, both sides unsuccessful • Decide to dig in for a long siege • War of attrition

11. Trench Warfare • By spring 1915 • Two parallel systems of trenches stretching from Belgian coast across France to the Swiss Alps • Approx. 500 miles of trenches

12. Trench Warfare (cont’d) • Types of Trenches • Front line • Support • Reserve • Other amenities • Dugouts – underground rooms for officers quarters and command posts

13. Trench Warfare (cont’d) • “No Man’s Land” • Barren expanse of land between the opposing armies covered with shell craters and barbed wire • Usually 25 yards to one mile wide • Periodic charges mounted