HIST 106 Lecture 12: HIST 106 Lecture 12.doc
Document Summary
This was the worst war in europe since the 30 years war and some argue that it led to wwii. 40 million are wounded or killed: a generation of men is wiped out, end of 4 empires (ottoman, russia, german, austrian, ended economic prosperity, world power goes to the us. July crisis: the archduke of austria and his wife are shot while in bosnia by serbian terrorists (the black hand) Shleiffan plan: german plan to avoid a two front war as produced by their blank cheque. Depended on take france before russia could mobilize. Everyone believed it would be over by christmas. 3 stages of war: stalemate, expansion, revolution. Spent in patrol/repairs/chores/drinking/smoking/little sleep: very dull, rats, lice, trench fever, skin fungus, overall a very unhygienic life. By 1916 (2 years in), there is still a stalemate so allies decide to break it they will begin all out.