The Great War

1914 – Europe Goes to War Allied Powers : Britain, France, Russia, Italy, later the U.S. Central Powers : Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire

Allied Powers : Britain, France, Russia, Italy, later the U.S.

Central Powers : Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire

Most of the fighting took place on the Western Front First Battle of Ypres - the beginning of stalemate (standstill) on the Western Front in 1914.

Most of the fighting took place on the Western Front

First Battle of Ypres - the beginning of stalemate (standstill) on the Western Front in 1914.

Almost 1.8 million casualties in the first 5 months Soldiers declared truce on Christmas Day and celebrated together

Almost 1.8 million casualties in the first 5 months

Soldiers declared truce on Christmas Day and celebrated together

1915 – Trench Warfare Trenches became deeper and more complex

Trenches became deeper and more complex

Weapons used: Poison Gases - Chlorine and mustard gas

Weapons used:

Poison Gases - Chlorine and mustard gas

Artillery – large caliber weapons like cannons

Artillery – large caliber weapons like cannons

U-boat

U-boat

Aircraft & the Zeppelin

Aircraft & the Zeppelin

Tanks

Tanks

Flamethrower

Flamethrower

Civilians became targets

Civilians became targets

Women began working at jobs the men did before the war

Women began working at jobs the men did before the war

Austria-Hungary defeated Serbia

Austria-Hungary defeated Serbia

1916 – Year of Attrition Each side tried to wear the other out Battle of Verdun – 10 month battle (longest!); resulted in stalemate, heavy losses

Each side tried to wear the other out

Battle of Verdun – 10 month battle (longest!); resulted in stalemate, heavy losses

Battle of the Somme – German victory, huge British and French casualties

Battle of the Somme – German victory, huge British and French casualties

Russia launches attacks into Germany

Russia launches attacks into Germany

1917 – Europe’s year of Trial Food rationing and “meatless days” on the home front

Food rationing and “meatless days” on the home front

Russian Revolution causes Russia to drop out of the war Lenin

Russian Revolution causes Russia to drop out of the war

U.S. enters war on side of the Allies Sinking of the Lusitania (1915)

U.S. enters war on side of the Allies

Sinking of the Lusitania (1915)

Intercepted German telegraph message to Mexico encouraging them to attack US

Intercepted German telegraph message to Mexico encouraging them to attack US

1918 – Triumph of the Allies Germany ran out of troops The Central Powers collapsed

Germany ran out of troops

The Central Powers collapsed

Armistices signed…last one to sign was Germany on November 11 th , 1918

Armistices signed…last one to sign was Germany on November 11 th , 1918