7. Imperialism
• All the great powers were competing for colonies
and territory
• The British did not want Germany involved in
Africa
• The Austrians did not want Serbia or Russia in the
Balkans
50. Soldiers were expected to carry all of their
equipment with them at all times.
They were supposed to keep it clean and in
good condition – they were British after all.
51. How the uniform and equipment changed after just
three weeks in the trenches…
55. No smiling and relaxed faces…
No clean uniforms…
Their equipment is scattered
everywhere…
Boredom and sleep are obvious…
56. Life in the Trenches
• When it rained, the trenches
would become wet and
muddy, causing the soldiers’
feet to also become wet.
Officers walking through a flooded trench.
• A type of fungal infection of the
feet known as “trench foot”
would occur as a result of the
wet, unsanitary conditions.
A soldier suffering from a severe case of trench foot.
57. Trench Foot
• Trench foot, also known as fat foot, is a medical
condition caused by prolonged exposure of the feet
to damp, unsanitary and cold conditions.
58. Did you know?
• One of the most remarkable incidents in history was the unofficial truce that took
place on the Western Front around Christmas in 1914.
• Around December 24th, German troops starting placing candles along their
trenches and on trees. They continued to celebrate by singing Christmas
carols.
• The British troops responded by singing Christmas carols themselves.
• The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon
thereafter, there were excursions across the “No Man's Land”, where small gifts
were exchanged, such as food, tobacco and alcohol, and souvenirs such as
buttons and hats.
59. Did you know?
• The artillery in the region fell silent that
night.
• The truce also allowed the two sides to
collect their recently-fallen soldiers on
the battlefield by burial parties.
• Joint services were even held.
• On December 26th, the fighting
commenced once again.
British and German troops
standing together during the
Christmas Truce of 1914.
84. Casualties of the War
• The war was the most
destructive conflict the world
had ever seen.
• Over 10 million soldiers died
in the war and up to 16 million
total deaths, entire cities were
destroyed and countries were
left in ruin.
89. The Treaty of Versailles
• Shortly after in 1919, leaders of the countries
met in Versailles, France to discuss a truce.
• The Treaty of Versailles signed in 1919 was the
final peace settlement of World War I.
• The treaty was negotiated mostly by the “Big
Three”, the U.S., Great Britain and France.
• Italy and Japan were left out during the
negotiations.