World War I Leaders

World War I Leaders — page 7 — conflict in 1915 Across the Atlantic Ocean President Woodrow Wilson and the United States observed the events in Europe Reluctant to get the United States involved in a foreign war Wilson declared US neutrality in August 1914 shortly after the war began The initial conflicts along Germany's western border with France and Belgium were known collectively as the battle of the Frontiers The skirmishes occurred between August 14 and September 6 in the French towns of Mulhouse Charleroi and Mons and the Ardennes and Lorraine regions Together the conflicts were the largest battle of World War I and possibly the largest battle in human history Two million troops fought in the battle of the Frontiers The battle of the Frontiers ended on September 6 when the French started fighting the Germans back in the battle of the Marne French troops were able MISCALCULATING BELGIUM At the outbreak of World War I Belgium was German troops Germany hoped Belgium a neutral country Lying between northeast would allow the passage But Belgium France and northwest Germany it hoped to refused warning Germany that if it marched stay out of the war But Germany planned on Belgium it would be violating international to march through Belgium to invade France law Germany invaded Belgium the next day and quickly capture Paris The day before it with two major consequences Germany declared war on France Germany wrote to now had to fight Belgian troops all the way Belgium It gave the country a choice allow through Belgium to France In addition the German troops to march through Belgium United Kingdom entered the war against without resistance or face occupation by Germany in defense of Belgium s

World War I Leaders — page 8 — British troops prepare to resist German advances during the battle of Charleroi on August 21 1914 to beat back the German armies saving Paris from capture However Germany retained control of much of northeast France including France's sources of coal steel and iron The leaders of Europe had embroiled the continent in a war that would last four years and affect the lives of

World War I Leaders — page 9 — FOUR YEARS OF WAR When World War I began in July 1914 many believed the conflict would be over by Christmas But that hope was not to become reality Between February and December 1916 the longest most intense battle in history to that point occurred in the woods of Verdun France When it was over virtually no land had THE WAR OF ATTRITION The battle of Verdun was the conflict that solidified World War I as a war of attrition Instead of a swift decisive victory for either side the battle and the war would end once one side had lost the manpower and supplies to carry on fighting By the end of fighting in Verdun in December 1916 virtually no land was gained for either side despite the high rate of casualties been ceded or gained and 300 000 soldiers lost their lives That same year British and French troops attacked the Germans along the Somme River in France Its first day July 1 was the single bloodiest day in British military history with 20 000 British troops killed and more than 40 000 wounded Similar to Verdun the battle of the Somme did not gain land for either side but cost hundreds of thousands in casualties In the wake of the battles of Verdun and the Somme David Lloyd George became prime minister of the United Kingdom in December 1916 He would lead the country until 1922 The new year did not bring an end to the conflict In February 1917 Germany renewed its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare against ships from all 12

World War I Leaders — page 10 — nations in the waters around the United Kingdom It was the last straw for President Wilson who had struggled to keep the United States neutral despite pressure at home and abroad to enter the war On April 6 he asked Congress to declare war against Germany By the fall US troops were fighting overseas This was music to the ears of Georges Clemenceau who was elected as the premier of France in November 1917 Meanwhile Czar Nicholas II faced civil unrest in Russia He had declared himself supreme commander of the military in 1915 and his government had fallen into disarray while he was at the front He was forced to abdicate the throne on March 15 1917 After months of instability a political group called the Bolsheviks took control of Russia and withdrew the country from the war By the spring of 1918 Wilhelm's military advisers had started a series of five offensives they hoped would end the war These offenses ceased in June when Allied forces now under the central command of French general Ferdinand Foch began offensives of their own By October Germany's defeat was clearly on the horizon Wilhelm abdicated the throne just days before Germany signed an armistice with the Allies on November 11 1918 ending World War I 13

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