The Great War: World War I Remembered

1. World War I

2. WWI • Also called the Great War • Began in 1914 • Fighting took place in Africa, Middle East, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but mostly in Europe • Involved almost 30 countries that formed two groups • Allies • Britain, France, Italy, Russia, U. S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand (just to name a few) • Central Powers • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey (just to name a few)

3. Lasted 4 years • Nearly 10 million people died • Newly invented weapons capable of causing tremendous damage • Artillery, machine guns, tanks, battleships, U-boats, torpedoes, bombing from zeppelins, poison gas

4. Trenches were used for protection but were miserable (sometimes soldiers were in mud up to their knees, freezing in winter, sweltering in summer) • Rats and lice caused much discomfort • Very little communication with home • Propaganda was aimed at persuading people that the enemies were evil, that the war must go on, and everyone should help • Helped by fighting, working, raising money, making sacrifices

5. Treaty of Versailles • Germany had to reduce its army • Could not have submarines, tanks, or an air force • Could only keep 6 large ships • Germany had to give up land and colonies • Countries who defeated Germany took some of the land and colonies. • Country of Poland created with German land • Germany had to pay money to the countries which had defeated it • Germany was blamed for starting the war