Unit 5: Crisis and Change
Lesson B: Global Effects of a Total War
Activity 1: Industry and Imperialism - Secret Weapons of World War I
In 1914, millions of soldiers from rival European countries met along the borders dividing the rival alliances. In the years preceding the war, two rival camps had emerged from simmering tensions between European countries: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance.
Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the battle lines were drawn. Austria declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilized against Austria, and Germany declared war on Russia and France. Britain declared war on Germany. By the late summer of 1914, Europe was engaged in a bloody conflict that was termed The Great War.