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The Balkan Wars
According to newworldencyclopedia.org, the Balkan wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkan Peninsula. Four Balkan states were involved. The first Balkan war practically eliminated the Ottoman Empire from most of Europe, and took place on October 8, 1912.
The second Balkan war (aka the Interallied war) was fought with the intent to scavenge from the Ottoman Empire. The second Balkan war took place on June 30, 1913 -
Impolite Beginnings - Archduke Franz Ferdinand
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo. According to the New Zealand History archive, the assassination was carried out by a nineteen-year-old named Gavrilo Princip. Princip was either defended or berated. Some say he was a hero, some a terrorist. One thing is for sure though -- He was the precursor to WWI. -
Hellish Rebukes - WWI Begins
The toss-around of declarations from country to country led to massive bickering. Those who weren't in the war were dragged into it by their allies (example: the U.S.). Those who were helping their allies outside of the war eventually got involved (example: also the U.S.). According to a The Week article, Allied forces (as of July 1914) consisted of Britain, France, Russia, and Italy. Central powers consisted of Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire. -
Chaotic Declarations
The Week's article of WWI's beginning states that Germany, now recognizing the skirmish has just begun, declared war on Russia, France, and Belgium. Britain declares war on Germany, while Austria declares war on Russia. Montenegro declares war on Austria, and the chain continues. This inevitably leads to a world-war epidemic. -
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Battle of Gallipoli
In the battle of Gallipoli, the French intended to push Turkish forces back to Constantinople. It was a mixed operation, as there was a conflict between different squadrons of the French army. In 1914, the situation was re-examined and given the green card, according to iwm.org.
Starting in April 1915, Allied troops landed and begun their push. The objective was not met, and on January 9, 1916, Allied troops withdrew from the battlefield -
Fall of the Lusitania
The Lusitania was a British liner, filled with men, ammunition, and weapons. On May 7, 1915, Germany rushed the Lusitania with intentions of destroying it. Britannica.com states that a singular SM-U20 launched a torpedo at the stern of the ship. After the first explosion, a nearby explosion was set off, turning the ship into scrap. The ship's wreckage lies 93 meters deep in the Celtic Sea. -
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Battle of Verdun
The Western Front, guarded by the French, held a semi-stable position. Germany pounded on the battalions surrounding Verdun. Commander Erich Von Falkenhayn led the German forces. Iwm.org states that Falkenhayn's intent behind the push on was to destroy the defenses preventing the German army from claiming land. The French eventually claimed victory in December after ten long months of fighting.
Fun fact - The Battle of Verdun was the main topic for metal band Sabaton's song "Fields of Verdun." -
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Battle of the Somme
The battle of the Somme was one of, if not the costliest battle fought in WWI. Lasting nearly five months, the British made the first move with a week long artillery bombardment. As Britain advanced, they realized that they had made a mistake. German forces still stood, and no progress was made. Trench warfare became a regular for the Somme, and there were over a million casualties.
Fun fact: iwm.org states that a documentary of the Battle of the Somme includes actual footage from the battle. -
Intercepted Plans - Deciphering of the Zimmermann Telegraph
Sometime around January 1917, a telegraph sent from Germany would be intercepted and uncovered by the British. The telegraph was written by Minister Arthur Zimmermann. Intended to reach Mexico, the Zimmermann telegraph, according to Archive.gov, held a declaration of war on America, starting February 1. The Zimmermann telegraph also signified an official alliance between Mexico and Germany. Unbeknownst to Germany however, America soon prepared for war. -
It's Official - The U.S. Gets Involved
On April 6, 1917, the U.S. officially enters WW1. Berlin's declaration of enclosed warzones conflicted with the U.S. In what way, you might ask? The U.S. often sent out shipments of weapons, ammunition, rations, and other necessities of the like to their allies. Berlin's declaration prevented them from shipping these supplies out.
History.com states that Berlin sunk five U.S. marked merchant ships, provoking the U.S. and getting them involved in the war. -
End to a Saga - Armistices and Surrenders
Sometime around 1918, the Ottoman Empire and allied forces agreed to a ceasefire. This completely ended all fighting in the Middle East. Days later, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, nearly obliterated off the charts, signed an Armistice in Italy. Theworldwar.org states that Germany also pursued an armistice in fears of collapsing on the battlefield. They were given a chance, but only on the terms of Marshall Ferdinand Foch. -
Russian Revolution // Russia's Withdrawal
At the peak of the war, the Russian government could barely hold off protestors and riots. They were too focused on the war, and thus they were overtaken by the Russian citizens. Vladamir Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks (who overtook the government), focused on building a stable and communist Russian government. Thus, on March 3, 1918, Lenin agreed with Germany to pass the Treaty of Brest-Litvosk, which, according to thefirstworldwar.net, officially declared Russia's resignation from war. -
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Battle of Chateau-Thierry
Perhaps the greatest turning point of WWI, historyonthenet.com stages, the battle of Chateau-Thierry was the first counter-offensive for the AEF. The AEF, led under General John J. Pershings, pushed through the Germans (led by Erich Ludendorff) in response to their offensive ambush. On June 3, French and American troops forced Germany to cross the Marne River. AEF troops were pitted into the battlefield of Chateau-Thierry on June 26. Chateau-Thierry amassed a total of 7,326 casualties. -
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Battle of the Argonne
The battle of the Argonne was the final offensive the Allied forces could push. American troops, led by General John J. Pershing attacked French forces, who were led by Marshall Ferdinand Foch. The battle of the Argonne was also the battle that led to the Armistice between France and America, ultimately ending WWI. The IWM states that A million American soldiers attended, making it the American Expeditionary Forces' largest operation in WWI. Total casualties reached well over 120,000. -
Conclusions with a Price: The Treaty of Versailles
After armistices were being agreed to around the world, Germany seeked refuge. Heavily beaten and in the rough, Germany pleaded for a peace agreement. The U.S. was not going to agree without a price. Thus, the Treaty of Versailles was created.
The Treaty of Versailles gave peace to Germany, but also stated(according to history.com):
~ Germany is responsible for war.
~ Germany is pitted into debt.
~ Germany must pay war fees for damages and casualties.
Germany signed on June 28,1919. -
Meet the League of Nations
After the treaty of Versailles, a conglomerate of nations consisting of 44 states called the "League of Nations" met. They met for the first time on January 16, 1920. They aimed to prevent any further wars, and to secondarily prevent disputes between countries. That the U.S. wasn't involved. History.com states that isolationists prevented President Woodrow Wilson from giving the U.S. to the League. Despite all the good things the LoN claimed, they would eventually come to fall..
