STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO
Compare and Contrast the “Fronts” of WWI
and summarize the key events of WWI.
WWI Objectives
1.Summarize the causes and effects of WWI.
2.Explain the causes of America’s involvement
in the war.
3.Compare and Contrast the homefront with
the battlefront during the war.
4.Evaluate the effects of WWI on the world
today.
Topic: WWI
Need
Learn
Develop
Apply
Evaluate
Students need to compare and contrast the “fronts” of WWI.
Students will learn through guided notes, guided readings, and a classroom discussion
Students will develop their learning through writing letters, creating a venn diagram, chart
analysis, readings, and worksheets.
Students will apply their knowledge with journal entries and use past events to discuss
present issues (debate, I promise it will happen this time)
Students will be evaluated with a quiz and a compare/contrast essay at the end of the
section.
Your Connection: Answer these questions with your
partner
WWI Statistics
1.Which country had the most
soldiers in WW1?
2.Which country had the least
soldiers in WWI?
3.Which country had the highest
number of deaths?
4.Which country had the lowest
number of deaths?
Alliances Review
● A war between Austria and Serbia meant a war
between Austria and Russia -- Serbia's traditional
ally.
● That meant war between Russia and Germany.
● And that meant war between Germany and
France.
● And that meant war between Germany and Great
Britain.
Topic: WWI Events
Essential Question: What were the key events of WWI?
June 28, 1914
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated by Serbian Nationalists.
JULY 5, 1914
Germany gives the “blank check” declaration. This said that no matter what Austria
decided to do, Germany would back them up. This is the start of Germany taking the lead in
WWI. They planned to use their alliance to gain power and influence. THIS IS WHY Germany
gets the blame for WWI!
July 28, 1914
Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
July 31-August 4,
1914
The powers of Europe stick to their agreements. Russia mobilizes to help Serbia. Germany
declares war on Russia and France.
August 4, 1914
Germany declares war on NEUTRAL Belgium and invades. Britain declares war on Germany,
and WWI is in full swing.
September 05-10,
1914
Battle of the Marne stops the German advance. The first trenches of WWI are dug on
September 15. This turns the western front into a Stalemate.
Topic: WWI Events
Essential Question: What were the key events of WWI?
Stalemate
Struggles in which neither side can win; a draw.
Trench Warfare
A method of warfare fought from the protection of deep ditches for defense and offense.
Trench warfare involved long, deadly struggles with little gains for either side.
Battle of the Marne
This is where trenches were first dug
Battle of the Somme
15 September 1916: One of the bloodiest battles in world history. This was the first battle
where Tanks were used. Also this is the battle where the first American soldier of WWI died.
Treaty of BrestLitovsk
This treaty (signed in 1918) took Russia out of the war.
Russia had experienced a revolution after starvation and social uprisings. The communist
government did not want to be part of WWI.
Topic: WWI
Essential Question: How was the war fought?
The Western Front
Defined by TRENCH Warfare. Shorter than the eastern front, defined by
stalemate.
The Eastern Front
Longer than the western front. Trench warfare did NOT develop. Fewer soldiers.
Easier to break the battle lines. 1918: Russia signs a treaty that takes them out of
the war.
Italian Front
Tempted by offers of land, Italy sided with the Allies and entered the war in 1915.
Fought on the Italy and Austria border. (This is important for WWII!)
War at Sea
Between Great Britain and Germany: both attempted to stop ships from taking resources to
other places.
Lusitania
A German submarine torpedoed the passenger liner killing 1200 civilians. This
turned public opinion against the germans and in favor of war.
Zimmerman
Telegram
Germany offers Mexico land and territory if they will help attack the USA. This was
intercepted by the allies and was the final reason the USA entered the war.
Eastern Front
The Western Front
East vs West Summary
Western Front
● Dictated by the Schlieffen plan
○ Germany would neutralize France
then Focus solely on Russia
● German first trampled Belgium and then
moved on to France
● Allied forces rallied and forced the
Germans to dig in
○ Trench Warfare
○ Stalemate
○ Disease, Starvation, and people
really didn’t like killing each other
(who knew?)
Eastern Front
● Russian trying to push through to Germany and
Austria
● Though Russia mounted several offenses, they
were unable to break through German lines
● Constant defeat made problems for Russia
back home
○ Russian Revolution in 1917
○ The Revolution was successful and
Vladimir Lenin took Russia out of the War
○ This allowed the Germans to focus on
the western front
Topic: WWI Culture
Essential Question: What was the world like in WWI?
Trench Warfare
Long deadly struggles without large gains for either side. This was where armies
fought from systems of dug out trenches and ditches.
Weapons
New weapons were created: rifles, machine guns, The Zeppelin, Chlorine Gas, Tanks,
Planes, Torpedoes, Mustard gas.
Vehicles
Tanks and Airplanes made their first appearances. Zeppelins and submarines are also
used.
USA
Officially Neutral but secretly supplied the allies with supplies, weapons, and money.
Selective Service Act
of 1917
A law that said all men between the ages of 18 and 45 had to register for the draft
(military service even if they did not join the military).
All men had to register or be arrested. If they were drafted and did not go, they were
known as draft dodgers and put in prison.
Men still have to register for selective service today.
Rationing
– In order to support the war effort, people were limited on what they could consume (clothing,
food, gasoline, etc.) Extra supplies were sent to support the war effort.
Anti-German
Sentiment
People started discriminating against Germans and Austrians living in the United States. They
accused them of being spies and traitors even though many had been born in the USA.