World War I

The beginning

Jul 28, 1914

World War I, also called First World War, or Great War, an international conflict that in 1914–18 embroiled most of the nations of Europe along with Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions. The war pitted the Central Powers mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey against the Allies mainly France,

World War I

Period: Jul 28, 1914 to Nov 11, 1918

World War I starts in June 28 when Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungary's throne and his wife are assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip while the couple were visiting Sarajevo.
November 11 - Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
June 28 - The Treaty of Versailles officially ends WWI.

The Eastern Front

Jan 1, 1915

While the conflict in the west was developing, Russia was having success with driving the Austrians back and also infringing on German territory. Their basic strategy was to concentrate all of their forces on Austria, but due to the success of Germany in France at the time they sent 28 divisions into East Prussia as a relief force. The Russians had mobilized more speedily than the Germans expected and were therefore able to overrun most of East Prussia before the Germans could react.

1st Battle of Isonzo

Jun 29, 1916

29/06/1915 The Italians launch an unsuccessful attack against Austro-Hungary at what will be called the 1st Battle of Isonzo. There will be 12 in total. In numerical terms the Italians enjoyed a marked advantage over their Austro-Hungarian opponents. General Boroevic was able to muster a force of around 100,000 for the Austro-Hungarians while Frugoni and the Duke of Aosta for the Italians had twice that number at their disposal, added to which they possessed around 200 guns. http://www.youtube

New War Tactics

Sep 14, 1916

On September 14th General Erich Falkenhayn replaced Moltke, and by the 15th the western line had been stabilized. By this time the German army was so hurt that even if they could have reached Paris, they could never have taken it.After the battle, the two lines entrenched themselves as close as 800 yards away from each other. Here was where the trench warfare that caused so many losses began. The giant trench formed the western front, and the battle in the west from then on became a war of attrition.Falkenhayn decided that there was no way to win a war against England, France and Russia put together. He adopted the policy of attrition in order to tire out the western powers. He planned to be merely defensive on the western front while attacking the eastern front. On the days of October 17-30 the battle of Yser was fought, in a last effort to assault the French.The Germans committed all of their last resources to launch this attack on the French front but the battle proved costly and ineffective. The attacks lasted until November 3rd, when Falkenhayn was finally convinced that the west was hopeless and the only place a victory could be won was in the east.

Trench Warfare

Jan 1, 1917

Trench WarfareThe middle part of the war, 1916 and 1917, was dominated by continued trench warfare in both the east and the west. Soldiers fought from dug-in positions, striking at each other with machine guns, heavy artillery, and chemical weapons. Though soldiers died by the millions in brutal conditions. Nether side had any advantage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9iR0xJW-Fk

The U.S. Enters the War

Apr 6, 1917

German Foreign Minister Alfred Zimmerman attempted to provoke Mexico and Japan into attacking the United States with the promise of German assistance after the European front was conquered. A message containing Zimmerman's intent was decoded by the British and sent to the US, further swaying Americans to action. Due primarily to submarine warfare and the Zimmerman note, President Wilson asked Congress for permission to go to war, and on April 6, 1917.

The Armistice

Nov 11, 1918

On 11th November the leaders of both sides held a meeting in Ferdinand Foch's railway carriage headquarters at Compiegne.
The Armistice was signed at 6am and came into force five hours later. Hence the meaning 'eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month'

The Treaty of Versailles

Jun 28, 1919

The Versailles treaty deprived Germany of around 13.5% of its 1914 territory and all of its overseas possessions. Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France, and Belgium was enlarged in the east with the addition of the formerly German border areas of Eupen and Malmedy. The German army was limited to a maximum of 100,000 men, and a ban placed upon the use of heavy artillery, gas, tanks and aircraft. The German navy was similarly restricted to shipping under 10,000 tons, with a ban on submarines.

Germany After WWI

Jan 1, 1921

Germany became a republic after the war. It was in a bad
state. People were short of food and jobs. There were riots in
the street as different political groups fought for power. In
1921, the allies decided that Germany must pay them £6600
million in damages, known as reparations. It was the last straw.