World War One, what a sad, sad story,
A story of hope, love and glory,
Those lives we lost always remembered,
The guns fired their last, that day in November,
Shots fill the air, startling sounds all around,
A sudden blast, as a bomb touched the ground,
Those courageous men, fighting together,
They are in our thoughts today and forever,
Our lives are changed, forever and ever.
A story of hope, love and glory,
Those lives we lost always remembered,
The guns fired their last, that day in November,
Shots fill the air, startling sounds all around,
A sudden blast, as a bomb touched the ground,
Those courageous men, fighting together,
They are in our thoughts today and forever,
Our lives are changed, forever and ever.
INTRODUCTION: If you are new to the First World War - or are rusty after many years since history class - the reasons for the so-called 'Great War' can be shrouded in confusion.
The Second World War was rather more straightforward: no questions there who did what and who was at fault.
The First World War (1914-1918) was an unprecedented even in the history of the world, both in its scale and magnitude of effects.
World War I also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict that embroiled most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Entente and the Central Powers. Over 70 million military personnel were mobilized in one of the largest wars in history. The main combatants descended into a state of total war, pumping their entire scientific and industrial capabilities into the war effort. Over 15 million people were killed, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in history.
World War I is infamous for the protracted stalemate of trench warfare along the Western Front, embodied within a system of opposing manned trenches and fortifications (separated by a "No man's land") running from the North Sea to the border of Switzerland. Hostilities were also prosecuted, however, by more dynamic invasion and battle, by fighting at sea and - for the first time - in and out from the air. Also, there were some battles that foreshadowed the rapid movement of WWII, take for example the Battle of St. Mihel in 1918. Here, within a matter of one day, American troops, supported by tanks, airplanes, and artillery, advanced over 20 miles, clearing a salient that had been a thorn in the side of the French army since 1914. More than 9 million soldiers died on the various battlefields, and nearly that many more in the participating countries' home fronts on account of food shortages and genocide committed under the cover of various civil wars and internal conflicts. In World War I, only some 5% of the casualties (directly caused by the war) were civilian - in World War II, this figure approached 50%.
Ultimately, World War I created a decisive break with the old world order that had emerged after the Napoleonic Wars, as modified by the mid-19th century national revolutions, the processes of European national unification and European colonialism. Three European land empires were shattered and subsequently dismembered to varying degrees: the German, the Austro-Hungarian and the Russian. In the Balkans and the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire experienced the same fate. Three European imperial dynasties, represented by the Hohenzollern, the Habsburg and the Romanov families in Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia respectively, also fell during the war.
World War I witnessed the first advent of Communism as a means of government in Russia. The following decades would see the transformation of the old Russian Empire into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a global power. In the east, the demise of the Ottoman Empire paved the way for the states such as Republic of Turkey and a number of successor states and territories throughout the Middle East. In Central Europe, the new states of Czechoslovakia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Yugoslavia were born and Austria, Hungary and Poland were re-created. Shortly after the war, in 1923, Fascists came to power in Italy; in 1933, 14 years after the war, Nazism took over Germany. Problems unresolved or created by the war would be highly important factors in the outbreak, within 20 years, of World War II.
Ultimately, World War I created a decisive break with the old world order that had emerged after the Napoleonic Wars, as modified by the mid-19th century national revolutions, the processes of European national unification and European colonialism. Three European land empires were shattered and subsequently dismembered to varying degrees: the German, the Austro-Hungarian and the Russian. In the Balkans and the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire experienced the same fate. Three European imperial dynasties, represented by the Hohenzollern, the Habsburg and the Romanov families in Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia respectively, also fell during the war.
World War I witnessed the first advent of Communism as a means of government in Russia. The following decades would see the transformation of the old Russian Empire into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a global power. In the east, the demise of the Ottoman Empire paved the way for the states such as Republic of Turkey and a number of successor states and territories throughout the Middle East. In Central Europe, the new states of Czechoslovakia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Yugoslavia were born and Austria, Hungary and Poland were re-created. Shortly after the war, in 1923, Fascists came to power in Italy; in 1933, 14 years after the war, Nazism took over Germany. Problems unresolved or created by the war would be highly important factors in the outbreak, within 20 years, of World War II.
Did you get understand? Let us begin this lesson with this video clip.
world war I in colour
CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF WORLD WAR 1
•Why was Europe on the brink of war in 1914?
•Why did war break out?
•What were the results of the fighting in 1914?
•Why did war break out?
•What were the results of the fighting in 1914?
Let's see another video clip on World War I.
What are the causes for the rising tensions in Europe, 1914 ?
That's a good question! Ok. -Tensions result of four factors. Let's have a glance of these points.
–Militarism
–Alliances
–Imperialism
–Nationalism
–Militarism
–Alliances
–Imperialism
–Nationalism
MILITARISM: •Massive military buildup in European countries, late 1800s and early 1900s
•Wanted to protect overseas colonies from other nations
•Growing power of armed forces left all sides ready to act at first sign of trouble
•Minor disagreements had potential to turn to armed conflict
ALLIANCES:
•Nations formed partnerships to protect against opposing forces
•Triple Alliance united Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
•Great Britain joined France, Russia in Triple Entente
•Believed no one nation would attack another, because allies would join fight
IMPERIALISM:
•Late 1800s and early 1900s saw quest to build empires
•Created rivalry, ill will among European nations
•Germany, France, Russia, Great Britain vied to become great imperial nations
•Each did not want others to gain power
•Late 1800s and early 1900s saw quest to build empires
•Created rivalry, ill will among European nations
•Germany, France, Russia, Great Britain vied to become great imperial nations
•Each did not want others to gain power
NATIONALISM: •Strong devotion to one’s national group or culture, increased in late 1800s
•Led to formation of new countries, struggles for power
•Most visible in Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Europe
•Home to many ethnic groups trying to break free from Ottoman Empire
Now, do you know the causes of the World War 1? Still not got it! OK, look at these two video clippings and jot down some points and then check the answers.So what are the causes? Shall we go through those points again? Yea, let's do it.
Militarism: Was another cause of the war, was simliar to the arms race of today. Because Britain had a great navy, Germany wanted a great navy too. Germany and France competed for larger armies. The more one nation built up its army and navy, the more other nations felt they had to do the same.
ALLIANCE SYSTEM: For Twenty years, the nations of Europe had been making alliances. It was thought the alliances would promote peace. Each country would be protected by others in case of war. making it foolish for one country to wage war on another.
The danger of these alliances was that an argument between two countries could draw all the other nations into a fight. This is just what happened when a conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia led to World War 1.
In the summer of 1914 there were two alliances. The Triple Alliance composed of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, stood opposed to the Triple Entente composed of Britain, France, and Russia.
The danger of these alliances was that an argument between two countries could draw all the other nations into a fight. This is just what happened when a conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia led to World War 1.
In the summer of 1914 there were two alliances. The Triple Alliance composed of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, stood opposed to the Triple Entente composed of Britain, France, and Russia.
IMPERIALISM: Another cause was that European nations ruled smaller countries, called colonies, and competed with each other to amass more colonies. Gatehring colonies became known as IMPERIALISM. Both France and Britain had many colonies in Africa and Asia. Now Germany and Italy decided they wanted a colonial empire too.
NATIONALISM:In addition to political conflicts, the causes of the war included such forces as NATIONALISM, or patriotism. Nationalism led European nations to compete for the largest army and navy, or the greatest industrial development. It also gave groups of subject peoples the idea of forming independent nations of their own.
ESCALATION
The war that would destroy European society had been coming for a long time. The nineteenth century had been an era of great progress,
and of turmoil and conflict as well. New nations had been created. The balance of power that existed in 1815, at the end of the era of Napoleon, was disturbed.
Adding to the danger was a false sense of security. Local wars had flared up in the nineteenth century, but a major war was regarded as unlikely. Looking back at 1914 today, however, we can see that each of the major countries of Europe had interests that would bring it into conflict with at least one of the other great powers.
and of turmoil and conflict as well. New nations had been created. The balance of power that existed in 1815, at the end of the era of Napoleon, was disturbed.
Adding to the danger was a false sense of security. Local wars had flared up in the nineteenth century, but a major war was regarded as unlikely. Looking back at 1914 today, however, we can see that each of the major countries of Europe had interests that would bring it into conflict with at least one of the other great powers.
SPARK
On June 28, 1914, Gacrilo Princip, a nineteen-year-old Serbian revolutionary, fired two pistols shots. One killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the nephew of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary and heir to the Austrian throne. The other killed Sophie, his wife. 
Franz Ferdinand and his wife leaving Cityhall Sarajevo just before they got murdered
Austria-Hungary held Serbia responsible. On July 5 Austria asked for and recieved from Germany a "blank check" of support for any action Austria-Hungary might take against Serbia.
On July 23 Austria sent a series of demands to the Serbians. The demands were designed to humiliate and virtually destroy the Serbian nation. Still, Serbia agreed to most but not all of the demands.
Austria reacted on July 28 by declaring war on Serbia. The Russians prepared to defend Serbia. On July 31 the Germans sent a warning to Russia to stop mobilizing its army for war. the Russians ignored the warning, and Germany declared war on Russia on August 1. France came to the aid of its Russian ally by declaring war on Germany. The British hesitated, but when the Germans marched into Belgium, they declared war on Germany on Aug 4.
Italy, the third member of the Triple Alliance, refused to back Germany and Austria-Hungary. Italy claimed the Triple Alliance was for defensive purposes only and Austria's declaration of war against Serbia was no defensive.
So in August, 1914, the guns of the war went off. The system of alliances for keeping peace had brought the great nations of Europe into war with one another.
Austria-Hungary held Serbia responsible. On July 5 Austria asked for and recieved from Germany a "blank check" of support for any action Austria-Hungary might take against Serbia.
On July 23 Austria sent a series of demands to the Serbians. The demands were designed to humiliate and virtually destroy the Serbian nation. Still, Serbia agreed to most but not all of the demands.
Austria reacted on July 28 by declaring war on Serbia. The Russians prepared to defend Serbia. On July 31 the Germans sent a warning to Russia to stop mobilizing its army for war. the Russians ignored the warning, and Germany declared war on Russia on August 1. France came to the aid of its Russian ally by declaring war on Germany. The British hesitated, but when the Germans marched into Belgium, they declared war on Germany on Aug 4.
Italy, the third member of the Triple Alliance, refused to back Germany and Austria-Hungary. Italy claimed the Triple Alliance was for defensive purposes only and Austria's declaration of war against Serbia was no defensive.
So in August, 1914, the guns of the war went off. The system of alliances for keeping peace had brought the great nations of Europe into war with one another.
great war 1
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
28th June 1914
Franz Ferdinand, aged 51, was heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was married to Sophie Chotek von Chotvoka and had three children. Franz Ferdinand was, however, very unpopular because he had made it clear that once he became Emperor he would make changes.
This map, of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1914, shows that Bosnia/Herzegovnia was controlled by Austria. Austria had annexed (taken by force) Bosnia in 1908, a move that was not popular with the Bosnian people.
Franz Ferdinand decided to visit Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovnia, to make an inspection of the Austro-Hungarian troops there. The inspection was scheduled for 28th June 1914. It was planned that Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie would be met at the station and taken by car to the City Hall where they would have lunch before going to inspect the troops.
A Serbian terrorist group, called The Black Hand, had decided that the Archduke should be assassinated and the planned visit provided the ideal opportunity. Seven young men who had been trained in bomb throwing and marksmanship were stationed along the route that Franz Ferdinand's car would follow from the City Hall to the inspection.
The first two terrorists were unable to throw their grenades because the streets were too crowded and the car was travelling quite fast. The third terrorist, a young man called Cabrinovic, threw a grenade which exploded under the car following that of the Archduke. Although the Archduke and his wife were unhurt, some of his attendants were injured and had to be taken to hospital.
After lunch at the City Hall, Franz Ferdinand insisted on visiting the injured attendants in hospital. However, on the way to the hospital the driver took a wrong turn. Realising his mistake he stopped the car and began to reverse. Another terrorist, named Gavrilo Princip, stepped forward and fired two shots. The first hit the pregnant Sophia in the stomach, she died almost instantly. The second shot hit the Archduke in the neck. He died a short while later.
The bodies of Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie.
Gavrilo Princip was not executed because he was under 20 years, but was sentenced to twenty years in prison. He died of TB in 1918.
28th June 1914
Franz Ferdinand, aged 51, was heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was married to Sophie Chotek von Chotvoka and had three children. Franz Ferdinand was, however, very unpopular because he had made it clear that once he became Emperor he would make changes.
This map, of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1914, shows that Bosnia/Herzegovnia was controlled by Austria. Austria had annexed (taken by force) Bosnia in 1908, a move that was not popular with the Bosnian people.
Franz Ferdinand decided to visit Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovnia, to make an inspection of the Austro-Hungarian troops there. The inspection was scheduled for 28th June 1914. It was planned that Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie would be met at the station and taken by car to the City Hall where they would have lunch before going to inspect the troops.
A Serbian terrorist group, called The Black Hand, had decided that the Archduke should be assassinated and the planned visit provided the ideal opportunity. Seven young men who had been trained in bomb throwing and marksmanship were stationed along the route that Franz Ferdinand's car would follow from the City Hall to the inspection.
The first two terrorists were unable to throw their grenades because the streets were too crowded and the car was travelling quite fast. The third terrorist, a young man called Cabrinovic, threw a grenade which exploded under the car following that of the Archduke. Although the Archduke and his wife were unhurt, some of his attendants were injured and had to be taken to hospital.
After lunch at the City Hall, Franz Ferdinand insisted on visiting the injured attendants in hospital. However, on the way to the hospital the driver took a wrong turn. Realising his mistake he stopped the car and began to reverse. Another terrorist, named Gavrilo Princip, stepped forward and fired two shots. The first hit the pregnant Sophia in the stomach, she died almost instantly. The second shot hit the Archduke in the neck. He died a short while later.
The bodies of Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie.
Gavrilo Princip was not executed because he was under 20 years, but was sentenced to twenty years in prison. He died of TB in 1918.
TREATY OF VERSAILLES:
The treaty of Versailles granted france many of its demands. Germany had to return AlsaceLorraine and give France control of the coal mines of the Saar region for 15 years. Germany also lost land to Poland. To give Poland access to the Baltic Sea, the Polish Corridor was created. This was a strip of land that separated East Prussia from the rest of Germany. The Baltic Sea port of Danzig became a free trading city, controlled by neither Poland nor Germany.
German territory on oth sides of the Rhine River were demilitarized. To prevent Germany from again becoming a military threat, the treaty also reduced the German army to 100,000 men, with no heavy artillery, tanks, or warplanes.
Germany also lost its overseas territories in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Ocean. Its African colonies were given to France and Britain as mandates.
The treaty required Germany to pay reparations-war damages- to other nations. Germany had to make up for loss of property, factories, farms, ships, and other things destroyed in the war.
The various nationalities in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire carved out their own states. The peacemakers recognized these as independant nations. Czechs and Slovaks formed the new country Czechoslovakia. The Croats and the Slovenes joined with Serbia to form Yugoslavia. The new Austria, greatly reduced in size and power, and was forbidden to unite with Germany. The Ottoman Empire was stripped of all its lands outside Turkey.
League of Nations a former international organization, formed after WORLD WAR I to promote international peace and security. The basis of the League, the Covenant, was written into the Treaty of VERSAILLES and other peace treaties and provided for an assembly, a council, and a secretariat. A system of colonial mandates was also set up. The U.S., which failed to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, never became a member. Based in Geneva, the League proved useful in settling minor international disputes, but was unable to stop aggression by major powers-e.g., Japan's occupation of Manchuria (1931), Italy's conquest of Ethiopia (1935-36), and Germany's seizure of Austria (1938). It collapsed early in World War II and dissolved itself in 1946. The League established the first pattern of permanent international organization and served as a model for its successor, the UNITED NATIONS. (source encyclopedia.com
The fairness of this treaty to Germany was debated for years. Critics pointed out that the kaisers gov had already been toppled. The burden of carrying out the treaty fell on a new democratic German Gov, making it difficult for this new Government to survive.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES FOR THE FIRST WORLD WAR?
The treaty of Versailles granted france many of its demands. Germany had to return AlsaceLorraine and give France control of the coal mines of the Saar region for 15 years. Germany also lost land to Poland. To give Poland access to the Baltic Sea, the Polish Corridor was created. This was a strip of land that separated East Prussia from the rest of Germany. The Baltic Sea port of Danzig became a free trading city, controlled by neither Poland nor Germany.
German territory on oth sides of the Rhine River were demilitarized. To prevent Germany from again becoming a military threat, the treaty also reduced the German army to 100,000 men, with no heavy artillery, tanks, or warplanes.
Germany also lost its overseas territories in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Ocean. Its African colonies were given to France and Britain as mandates.
The treaty required Germany to pay reparations-war damages- to other nations. Germany had to make up for loss of property, factories, farms, ships, and other things destroyed in the war.
The various nationalities in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire carved out their own states. The peacemakers recognized these as independant nations. Czechs and Slovaks formed the new country Czechoslovakia. The Croats and the Slovenes joined with Serbia to form Yugoslavia. The new Austria, greatly reduced in size and power, and was forbidden to unite with Germany. The Ottoman Empire was stripped of all its lands outside Turkey.
League of Nations a former international organization, formed after WORLD WAR I to promote international peace and security. The basis of the League, the Covenant, was written into the Treaty of VERSAILLES and other peace treaties and provided for an assembly, a council, and a secretariat. A system of colonial mandates was also set up. The U.S., which failed to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, never became a member. Based in Geneva, the League proved useful in settling minor international disputes, but was unable to stop aggression by major powers-e.g., Japan's occupation of Manchuria (1931), Italy's conquest of Ethiopia (1935-36), and Germany's seizure of Austria (1938). It collapsed early in World War II and dissolved itself in 1946. The League established the first pattern of permanent international organization and served as a model for its successor, the UNITED NATIONS. (source encyclopedia.com
The fairness of this treaty to Germany was debated for years. Critics pointed out that the kaisers gov had already been toppled. The burden of carrying out the treaty fell on a new democratic German Gov, making it difficult for this new Government to survive.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES FOR THE FIRST WORLD WAR?
Remeber 4 points.
1. AGGRESSIVE NATIONALISM: Europe saw the emergence of aggressive nationalism which generated a sense of superiority among the people. They had grown proud of their country and considered it a sacred duty to fight for the coutnry. Whether the country was right or wrong, colonies were also considered a matter of national prestige.
2. THE SYSTEM OF RIVAL ALLIANCES: Towards the end of the 19th century, a number of countries of Europe entered into alliances to safeguard their economic and political interests. Germany formed a Triple Alliance with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Italy. England, France and Russia formed Triple Entente. On account of these alliances, Europe was divided into two hostile camps.
3. THE ARMAMENT RACE:- The mutual suspicion of these two groups gave rise to arms race. Every nation in Europe built vast reserves of arms and ammunitions. The countries comepted with each other to modernise their respective war machineries and increase the strength of the army.
4. IMMEDIATE CAUSE: When the Austrian crown-prince visited the Bosnian capital Sarajevo in 1914, he was murdered by a Serbian. Austria wanted to punish Serbia, hence it declared war and sought the help of Germany. Russia supported Serbia. Thus the World War I broke out. Germany, Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria were on one side. Serbia, England, Belgium, Italy, Russia and France were on the opposite side. In the course of the time, the USA also joined England.
THE COURSE OF THE WAR:
Germany attacked France and England on behalf of France and Belgium, declared war on Germany. The group led by England was called Allied powers and its opponents were called Axis powers. Japan joined the Allied powers. Fearing an invasion from Russia, Turkey joined hands with Germany. Bulgaria, an enemy of Serbia, allied itself with Austro-Hungarian empire which was friendly with Germany. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Russia turned neutral.
The FirstWorld War was fought for four years from 1914to 1918. New techniques such a
s the trench warfare, air surveying, air boming and battle tanks were used. After the German submarines sunk the ship Lustiania, a large contingent of American army reached France. The Arabs revolted against the Turkish hegemony. Portugal, Rumania and Greece joined England. After Germany's defeat at Marne in 1918, Turkey, Austria and Bulgaria surrendered. Kaiser William II, the emperor of Germany was foreced to abdicate and Germany signed an armistice which ended the war. THE RESULTS:
Millions of people including the civilians, died in the war, and many more wounded. Towns, cities, roads, dams, bridges, railways and factories were destroyed on an unprededented scale. Their reconstruction, providing jobs to the unemployed, providing food and rehabilitation to them became an impossible task. The great economic depression was also caused by the war. (1929)
The Treaty of Versailles imposed humiliating conditions on Germany. Turkey lost its hold on Armenia, which became a separate republic. In the Balkan region, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, Yugoslavia and Hungary were created.
The loss of life, bloodshed and the destruction caused by the war created a desire for preventing wars and fostering peace. To fulfil this ardent desire, the League of Nations was established.
What events led to the outbreak of World War I?
Serbian Gavrilo Princip killed Austrian Archduke Ferdinand and his wife; Germany (an ally of Austria-Hungary) declared war on Russia (an ally of Serbia); Germany attacked Belgium; Great Britain declared war on Germany
Why was Europe on the brink of war in 1914?
Ans: rising tensions as result of militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism
What events led to the outbreak of World War I?
Serbian Gavrilo Princip killed Austrian Archduke Ferdinand and his wife; Germany (an ally of Austria-Hungary) declared war on Russia (an ally of Serbia); Germany attacked Belgium; Great Britain declared war on Germany
Why was Europe on the brink of war in 1914?
Ans: rising tensions as result of militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism
OVERVIEW
•65 million combatants from 30 countries representing every continent
•29 million become casualties
•Naval battles around the world and land battles in Europe, Africa, and Asia
•Triple Alliance = Germany, Austria, Italy
•+Turkey + Bulgaria - Italy = Central Powers
•Entente Cordiale = Britain, France
•+ Russia + Italy + (later) US = Allied Powers
•Revolutionary technology, but evolutionary tactics
ROAD TO WAR
•Germany seeks new markets/prestige of colonies
•Massive arms race
•Multiple and extensive alliances
1914
•June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is assassinated in Sarajevo•July 28 Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
•August 1 Germany declares war on Russia
•August 3 Germany declares war on France
•August 4 Great Britain declares war on Germany
•August 4 Germany invades neutral Belgium
•August 26-30 German army achieves its greatest victory of the war on the Eastern front at the Battle of Tannenberg
•September 5-10 First Battle of the Marne halts German invasion in France
•September 15 First trenches of the Western front are dug
1915
•January 19, 1915 First German Zeppelin air raid on England
•February 4 Germany declares a submarine blockade of Great Britain. Any boat approaching England is considered a legitimate target
•April 22-May 5 Second Battle of Ypres marks first use of chemical weapons
•April 25 Allies begin assault on Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey
•May 7 Sinking of the passenger ship Lusitania
•Killed 1200, 123 Americans
•May 23 Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
•August 30 Germany responds to U.S. anger by ceasing to sink ships without warning
•December 28 Allies begin withdrawal of troops from Gallipoli
1916
•February 21 - December 18, 1916 The longest battle of the war, the Battle of Verdun, is fought to a draw with an estimated one million casualties
•July 1-November 18 The Battle of the Somme results in an estimated one million casualties and no breakthrough for the Allies
•December 31 Russian Rasputin, is murdered by relatives of the Tsar.
1917
•February 1, 1917 Germany again declares unrestricted submarine warfare
•April 6 The United States declares war on Germany
•July 6 T.E. Lawrence and the Arabs capture Aquaba
•July 16-November 10 Third Battles of Ypres, known as Passchendaele, results in minor gains, but still no breakthrough
•November 7 Bolshevik socialists, led by Lenin, overthrow Kerinsky government
•December 3 The new Russian government, represented by Leon Trotsky, signs an armistice with Germany
•December 9 British capture Jerusalem
1918
•January 8, 1918 President Woodrow Wilson declares his 14 points as the path to world peace
•March 21 Germans launch the first of five major offensives to win the war before American troops appear in the trenches
•April 25 British and Australian troops stop the German advance near Amiens
•May 23 German shells land on Paris
•August 8 Allied counteroffensives on the Somme push the German army back
•September 29 Allied troops break through the German fortifications at the Hindenberg line
•November 11 At eleven o'clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the war ends as Germany and Allies sign an Armistice
Schlieffen Plan
•Germans want to finish off French before Russia is ready to fight
•Germans believe French will immediately try to retake Alsace-Lorraine
•Original plan called for economy of force on the left while heavily weighting the right flank
• Von Moltke revised and distributed forces more evenly across the front
•Plan failed when Germans were held up by Belgians, then stopped by French and British at the Battle of the Marne
•Russians also mobilized more quickly than expected
TRENCH WARFARE
•Machine gun and artillery make it difficult to attack a trench
•Huge artillery preps make “No Man’s Land” virtually impassable
•Huge casualties for attackers
•Huge artillery preps make “No Man’s Land” virtually impassable
•Huge casualties for attackers
RUTHLESS TACTICS
-Chemical warfare made trench warfare more horrible
-Mustard/Blister agents deployed
-First used on French in 1915
it was Francis Ferdiand
ReplyDeleteJust shut up you idiot!
DeleteIts a pretty good site. Would be helpful if you could post other chapters to.
ReplyDelete