Intro To WW1 - Lesson 1
Intro To WW1 - Lesson 1
WW1
World War 1 was stated to be
the war that 'would be over by
Christmas.' However it
dragged on for four long years
of bloody stalemate. Look at
the photo to the right and
consider how young many of
these men were.
1915
Women take up men's jobs.
Stalemate continues on the
Western Front.
The Lusitania passenger liner
is sunk, with 1,200 lives lost.
London attacked from the air
by German Zeppelins.
1916
Conscription for men aged
between 18 and 41.
A million casualties in ten
months: Germany aims to
'bleed France white'.
At sea the Battle of Jutland
takes place.
Armed uprisings in Dublin: the
Irish Republic is proclaimed.
1917
German Army retreats to the
Hindenburg Line.
United States joins the war
and assists the Allies.
Tank, submarine and gas
warfare intensifies.
Royal family change their
surname to Windsor to appear
more British
1918
Germany launches major
offensive on the Western Front.
Allies launch successful counteroffensives at the Marne and
Amiens.
Armistice signed on November
11, ending the war at 11am.
In Britain, a coalition (union)
government is elected and
women over 30 succeed in
gaining the vote. (It was probably
the Labour Government as they
fought for the lower class working
man.)
The trenches
Trenches dug from English
Channel to Switzerland
6,250 miles
6 to 8 feet deep
Immobilized both sides
for 4 years
The Trenches
Death is everywhere
We all had on us the
stench of dead bodies.
Death numbed the
soldiers minds.
Shell shock
Psychological devastation
Death is everywhere
Mustard gas
Carried by the wind
Burned out soldiers lungs
Deadly in the trenches
where it would
sit at the bottom
Trench equipment
Machine Guns Such as the British Vickers or the German Maxim
were one of the most deadly weapons on the Western Front. Operated
by a two-man crew, the guns fired 400-500 bullets every minute.
Gas masks Germany first used poison gas in 1915. Released from
cylinders or fired from shells, gas killed men without protective masks.
Gas masks were always very uncomfortable to wear.
Periscopes Because it was dangerous to stick your head above the
parapet of the trench, troops in the front line used periscopes to peer
at the enemy in the trenches opposite.
Social Impact
Psychological Impact
Never such innocence again
Bitterness towards aristocratic officers whose
lives were never in danger