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Archduke Francis Ferdinand Assassination
Austria-Hungary, like many in countries around the world, blamed the Serbian government for the attack and hoped to use the incident as justification for settling the question of Slav nationalism once and for all. Also with the assassination. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and the tenuous peace between Europe’s great powers collapsed. Within a week, Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Serbia had lined up against Austria-Hungary and Germany, and World War I had begun -
Britain declars war on Germany
Germany attacks France first through neutral Belgium to eliminate any threat from the west before facing Russia in the east. Britain and the other great powers of Europe guarantee to protect Belgium’s borders. Belgium appeals to Britain and Britain declares war. -
The war in Africa
First shots if the World War wasn't in Europe but in Africa. By 1914 the German Empire has four colonies in East, West and South Africa. British and French forces invade Togoland the site of a key German wireless station, Kamina. It provides communications for German ships in the Atlantic. The Germans destroy it to stop it falling into the Allies’ hands and soon after surrender Togoland. -
The Battle of Mons
The Battle of Mons in Belgium is the British Army's first engagement in France. -
Trench Warfare Stats
After bloody battles, with over 250,000 casualties on both sides since the war began, the German army and the Allies try to outflank each other to the north until they reach the Belgian coast. The two armies dig in. Defensive lines are drawn right across north-east France. This marks the end of mobile battles and the beginning of four years of trench warfare on the Western Front. -
Battle of La Bassee
Britain calls on 1.5 million Indain solders and 1.3 million Canadains, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans. Also france calls for their colonies in Africa including Zouaves and the Spahis. With Fance and Britain calling in their allies the War becomes a world war. -
Siege of Tsingtao
British and Japanese forces attack the port of Tsingtao (Qingdao), a German colony in China. Although the Germans put up a firm resistance a force of 23,000 Japanese soldiers seizes control. Japan also takes over Germany’s colonies in the Caroline, Mariana and Marshall Islands. -
Poison Gas is Introduced
January in genral was a mounth of experimenting on gases, but on January 3, Germany unleashes thousands of canisters of chlorine gas, causing over 7,000 casualties among the Allies (the British, Canadian and French) -
Desperate Attack on Western Front
Stalemate happen on the Western Front. Australian, New Zealand, British, French and Indian troops mount an amphibious landing to take the peninsula of Gallipoli, 100 miles south of the Ottoman capital Constantinople. But the Allies are unable to break out of their beachheads and suffer a crushing defeat by the end of the year. Almost a third of the New Zealand troops are killed and there are 28,000 Australian casualties. The Turks suffer 200,000 casualties. -
Lustania Sinks
Germany issued many warnings, but the Lustania never stoped. More than 1,200 people die, including 128 Americans. -
Conscription is introduced
The Western Frount suffered many losses and need reinforcements. Britain stated tht all men aged between 18 to 41 can now be sent to war. Only exemption is if they have vital jobs in industry which were important to the war effort. their efforts paied off, 73,000 people joined the Western Front. -
Battle of Verdun
The Germans plan an offensive on a series of forts around the town of Verdun, believing the French will throw huge resources into defending it only to be annihilated. This is the longest single battle of World War One and lasts nine months. The Germans fail to break through or exhaust the French army and when the battle is over both sides have lost around 300,000 soldiers. For the French, Verdun becomes a symbol of the sacrifice of their country’s youth during the war. -
Bettle of Jutland
Biggest naval battle of the World War. though British lost more ships than the Germans and fail to destroy the German High Seas Fleet. The German retreatd and only sent out U-boats to attack British supply lines. -
The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme is one of the largest and bloodiest conflicts of World War One. the French, had about 2,000 casualties, the British had suffered around 420,000 casualties, and the French about 200,000. German casualty numbers are controversial, but may be about 465,000. -
America Enter the War
In February the Germans restart their U-boat campaign against commercial ships headed from America to Britain and many American civilians lose their lives. In April, President Woodrow Wilson persuades Congress that America should declare war on Germany. -
Russia Backs off
In March 1917 there was an uprising in Russia and Tsar Nicholas II abdicates. In November the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seize power under the slogan of “Peace, bread, land”. Russia leaves the war, signing an armistice in December. In the peace treaty Germany gains large swathes of Eastern Europe. -
Germany Take One Last Stand
Geremny now don't need to worry about it's Russain border. SoGermany mounts a series of major offensives in France in the spring. The Germans make a huge breakthrough on a 50-mile front south of Arras, pushing the Allies back 40 miles. The overstretched German Army is unable to sustain its attack. Time is running out as American troops begin to arrive in thousands. -
100 Day Offensive
The French, supported by 85,000 fresh US troops, counter-attack the German forces on the Marne and force them to retreat. In August, with more than 10 divisions of soldiers and 50 tanks, backed up by the Royal Air Force, the Allies launch a surprise attack at Amiens. In a series of battles the German Army is pushed further east and the German commanders privately concede the war is lost. -
Western Frount Comes to an End
Before the Allied armies can invade Germany, an armistice is signed, bringing the war on the Western Front to an end. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles is sign on both sides offical ending the war
