The First Total War

 
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook: Chapter 2, 4
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)

Initial Post Instructions
World War I is different from most other wars in that it was not a direct result of aggression by one entity towards another, notwithstanding the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbian elements. Instead, it was the consequence of a number of forces amidst the disruption of the tenuous balance of power in Europe.
For the initial post, select and address one of the following:

Option 1: Identify two forces that lead to WWI. Examine how they contributed to the outbreak of war.
Option 2: Select a major battle such as Verdun, Marne, Ypres, or the Somme and chronicle that battle. Add further details about the battles.

What was the main strategy? What were they trying to accomplish?
How did leaders influence and mobilize troops?
What were the main consequences of the result?