World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War, the War of the Nations and the War to End All Wars, was a world conflict lasting from 1914 C.E. to 1919 C.E. Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey, called the Central Powers fought Britain, France and later U.S.A., called the Allies. No previous conflict had mobilized so many soldiers or involved so many in the field of battle. By the end of the war, more than 9 million people died on the battlefield and nearly 30 million on both the home fronts owing to food shortages, genocide, and ground combat. This war also witnessed large-scale air bombardments, trench warfare, the use of tanks and the use of chemical gas for the first time. This was also the first instance when large-scale civilian massacres took place, a feature of modern efficient, non-chivalrous warfare.
By the late 19th century, Europe had established dominance on the world. Countries like Britain and France established colonies all over the world whereas countries like Germany, Russia were looking for the opportunities to do the same. This led to an intense arms race the overall mood was survival of the fittest. In such a scenario, many European countries made alliances and treaties of collective defense in case of war. Such treaties also incorporated economic alliances. Germany made an alliance with Austria to counter the influence of France, and France retaliated by establishing an alliance with Russia.
The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian nationalist was the spark that ignited the volatile set up. Thanks to the prevailing system of treaties and alliances, the ensuing war between Austria and Serbia pulled in other countries. Germany upheld its alliance with Austria-Hungary and took the offensive against Serbia, Russia and France. To counter German military dominance, Britain entered the war taking side of her traditional enemy France.
[...] October 29 Turkey enters the war on the side of Germany and Central Powers. November 1 Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire. November 1 Battle of Coronel. Von Spee's German cruiser squadron defeats a British Royal Navy squadron under Christopher Cradock. November 2 The United Kingdom begins naval blockade of Germany. November 3 Montenegro declares war on the Ottoman Empire. November Battle of Tanga. German general Von Lettow-Vorbeck 3–November 5 defeat the British in German East Africa. November 5 France and the United Kingdom declare war on the Ottoman Empire. [...]
[...] Dates Events January 10 First meeting of the League of Nations held in London officially ends World War I. January 10 Free City of Danzig established in Poland. January 21 Paris Peace Conference ends. February 10 A plebiscite returns Northern Schleswig to Denmark. April Conference of Sanremo, Italy, about League of Nations 19–April 26 mandates in former Ottoman territories of the Middle East. June 4 Treaty of Trianon between the Allies and Hungary. August 10 Treaty of Sevres between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire. [...]
[...] However, the Allies defeat this offensive and force Germany to seek an Armistice to end World War 1. Dates Events January 8 Woodrow Wilson outlines his Fourteen Points February 18 Fighting resumes on the Eastern Front. February 21 The British capture Jericho in Palestine. February 25 German troops capture Estonia. March 3 Soviet Russia signs peace treaty with the Central Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey, at Brest-Litovsk. March Operation Michael: First phase of the Spring 21–March 25 Offensive by the Germans in the Western Front. [...]
[...] Russia mobilizes in support of Serbia, and World War I begins. July 29 Austria-Hungary troops invade Serbia. Russia starts mobilization of armed forces in a view to attack Austria-Hungary. July 31 Germany asks Russia to stop mobilizing. Russia clarifies to Germany that mobilization is against Austria-Hungary only. August 1 Germany declares war on Russia. August 1 Germany and the Ottoman Empire make a secret alliance pact August 2 Germany invades Luxembourg in a view to made rapid advances against France through the vulnerable Low areas. [...]
[...] September 29 Russia's Brusilov offensive in Carpathia comes to an end, having nearly knocked Austria-Hungary out of the war October Battle of Le Transloy (part of the Battle of the 1–November 5 Somme) October 15 Germany resumes U-boat attacks under search and destroy rules October Eighth Battle of the Isonzo between Italy and 9–October 12 Austria-Hungary. Battle ends in stalemate. October 24 French recapture Fort Douaumont near Verdun from Germany. November Ninth Battle of the Isonzo between Italy and 1–November 4 Austria-Hungary. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
