Log in to Google and click here for the Lesson #2 Worksheet before you begin!
Warm-up for the brain: Can you name the military vehicles below? Give it a try.
Now, why do you think those technologies came to exist? Keep your answer in mind as today we are going to learn about the buildup of military might leading to WWI.
Oh, and you may click on the pics to link to their identification and information on them if you wish.
Now, why do you think those technologies came to exist? Keep your answer in mind as today we are going to learn about the buildup of military might leading to WWI.
Oh, and you may click on the pics to link to their identification and information on them if you wish.
CLEAR TARGET: Describe examples of militarism leading to World War One.
BACKGROUND
In the time leading up to WWI, Europe’s powers engaged in a major buildup of military strength. What was supposed to serve as a deterrent to war actually ended up making war inevitable. Why did Europe's nations feel it was necessary to build up their military strength? One reason was imperialist ambition. In order to gain overseas colonies, a nation had to possess strong armies and naval forces. Another reason was for defense against aggressor nations. France had been conquered badly by the German Empire in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and were forced to pay massive amounts of money and give up rich, industrial lands such as Alsace-Lorraine. France not only wanted to build their military for defensive purposes, but also to someday get those lost lands back. Europe's major powers soon became locked in an arms race, for if one country became too powerful, it would upset Europe's "balance of power" which had been in place after Napoleon had conquered most of the European continent years before. Militarism would also cause countries to ally with one another, leading to the next cause of WWI we will study: Alliances.
TASK #1: Study examples of militarism.
Below are some examples of militarism leading up to WWI. You will need to remember specific examples to support your answers on the upcoming WWI test. There will be a short quiz at the end of the descriptions to test your learning so read carefully!
Example 2: The HMS Dreadnought:
After the introduction of Britain's HMS Dreadnought in 1906, navies around the world had to build the same or better or risk their navies being obsolete. Study the graphic below for details.
After the introduction of Britain's HMS Dreadnought in 1906, navies around the world had to build the same or better or risk their navies being obsolete. Study the graphic below for details.
Example 3: War Planning
Countries had come up with war plans before WWI. These plans outlined how troops would mobilize, where troops and supplies would be sent, and which invasion routes to take. We will look at two, the German "von Schlieffen" plan, named after German General Alfred Graf von Schlieffen, and the French "Plan XVII."
First we will discuss the German von Schlieffen plan (in red on map). The German plan was based on a quick strike into France from the north with 80% of its armies. 20% would stay in the east to defend against a likely Russian invasion from the east, as France and Russia were allies. After the German army took Paris, the Germans would switch the percentages to 80% in the east to conquer the Russians while 20% would stay in the west to occupy the French. Unfortunately for the Germans, the von Schlieffen plan did not work due to poor communication/logistics and British intervention.Russia had also mobilized faster than expected which drew German troops from the western front to the east. If you can remember the 80-20 concept, you can remember the von Schlieffen plan.
The French Plan XVII (in blue on map) was almost entirely directed at revenge for losses suffered in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Most important to the French was the retaking of the resource-rich region of Alsace-Lorraine. However, this plan massed most of the French forces to the southeast, playing right into the hands of the Germans, whose von Schlieffen plan directed an attack from the north.
War plans such as these were contributors to WWI as once set in motion, they were next to impossible to stop. Also, once the von Schlieffen plan failed and the Germans were repelled at the First Battle of the Marne, they dug in and trench warfare ensued for the rest of the war.
Countries had come up with war plans before WWI. These plans outlined how troops would mobilize, where troops and supplies would be sent, and which invasion routes to take. We will look at two, the German "von Schlieffen" plan, named after German General Alfred Graf von Schlieffen, and the French "Plan XVII."
First we will discuss the German von Schlieffen plan (in red on map). The German plan was based on a quick strike into France from the north with 80% of its armies. 20% would stay in the east to defend against a likely Russian invasion from the east, as France and Russia were allies. After the German army took Paris, the Germans would switch the percentages to 80% in the east to conquer the Russians while 20% would stay in the west to occupy the French. Unfortunately for the Germans, the von Schlieffen plan did not work due to poor communication/logistics and British intervention.Russia had also mobilized faster than expected which drew German troops from the western front to the east. If you can remember the 80-20 concept, you can remember the von Schlieffen plan.
The French Plan XVII (in blue on map) was almost entirely directed at revenge for losses suffered in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Most important to the French was the retaking of the resource-rich region of Alsace-Lorraine. However, this plan massed most of the French forces to the southeast, playing right into the hands of the Germans, whose von Schlieffen plan directed an attack from the north.
War plans such as these were contributors to WWI as once set in motion, they were next to impossible to stop. Also, once the von Schlieffen plan failed and the Germans were repelled at the First Battle of the Marne, they dug in and trench warfare ensued for the rest of the war.
Example 4: Rise of the Military-Industrial Complex:
With the growing need for military armaments, industries rose to the occasion. Research into bigger, better, and more accurate weapons was conducted. Munitions were stockpiled. Ships were built faster than ever before. As a result of this growth in military hardware, many industrialists became very wealthy men. A well- known military arms maker in Germany at the time was Alfred Krupp, whose company specialized in artillery and munitions.
With the growing need for military armaments, industries rose to the occasion. Research into bigger, better, and more accurate weapons was conducted. Munitions were stockpiled. Ships were built faster than ever before. As a result of this growth in military hardware, many industrialists became very wealthy men. A well- known military arms maker in Germany at the time was Alfred Krupp, whose company specialized in artillery and munitions.
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TASK #2: Militarism Quiz!
Take the Militarism Quiz based on the examples in TASK #1.
TASK #3: Create Causes of WWI Graphic Organizer!
Using the image below as a model, begin creating a graphic organizer for the MAIN causes of WWI using Google tools. (This image is embedded in your Lesson #2 worksheet, you can just double click the image in the worksheet and you can work on it). Continue working on this same graphic organizer for Lessons #3, #4, and #5!
Pick an example of militarism from the examples above (or another example if you want to do a little research on your own). Find an image that correlates to your example and put it in the box and save it (Do not copy from the teacher's graphic organizer...be original!). When you're finished with the boxes for militarism, share/email it to me so I may check your work. Click here for more information on SGT Stubby, the K9 hero of WWI shown in the graphic below.
Pick an example of militarism from the examples above (or another example if you want to do a little research on your own). Find an image that correlates to your example and put it in the box and save it (Do not copy from the teacher's graphic organizer...be original!). When you're finished with the boxes for militarism, share/email it to me so I may check your work. Click here for more information on SGT Stubby, the K9 hero of WWI shown in the graphic below.
Graphic organizer image for download! Click "download file" below for an image of the graphic organizer above that you may use as a template.
wwi_main_graphic_organizer.png | |
File Size: | 434 kb |
File Type: | png |
Wrapping it up: The constant threat from ambitious rivals and economic competition spurred the need for a strong military in Europe's countries leading up to WWI. Bigger and better technologies emerged, as did the military industrial complex. The strength of each country's military caused people to think their country was invincible, leading to a heightened sense of nationalism. The growth in the power and size of military power also led to the need for security...
Next up: the "A" in MAIN!
Next up: the "A" in MAIN!
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