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The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, and his wife Archduchess Sophia, traveled to Bosnia to help quell feelings of growing nationalism. They were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a Serbian terrorist group known as “The Black Hand”, during a parade in Sarajevo June 28, 1914. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination. They sent an ultimatum, and declared war on Serbia July 26, 1914, when they failed to comply with their final demand. -
World War I Declared
Russia began mobilizing its troops to help their fellow Slavs in Serbia who were under attack. France, being Russia’s ally, also mobilized its troops. Germany sent ultimatums to both countries and declared war on Russia, August 1, 1914, and France August 3, 1914. In response to Germany’s intension to violate Belgium’s neutrality, Britain declared war on Germany August 4, 1914. As a British colony, Canada was then automatically at war. This marked the beginning of World War I. -
The Battle of Liege
The Battle of Liege was Germany’s first offensive of the war. Their objective was to invade Belgium through the City of Liege. However, it was fortified by twelve armed forts built in the 19th century. Vastly outnumbered, the ill-equipped Belgium army gave the Germans many casualties while slowing their advance. This was a morale booster for Belgium and gave the Triple Entente more time to mount an effective defence against the invading Germans. Speed was key for the Schlieffen plan to work. -
The First Battle of the Marne
After a month, German forces reached the outskirts of Paris. All seemed lost. However, the Germans made tactical errors by exposing their right flank. The French launched a counter-offensive and when Germany’s first army turned to fight, they left a wide gap in their lines. The French took advantage of this, which resulted in a German retreat of 64Km to the Aisne River, where both sides dug in and started trench warfare. This ended the German advance, and forced Germany to fight a two front war. -
The Second Battle of Ypres
Canada’s first major assignment was to hold a section of front line in the Second Battle of Ypres. Germany attacked using chlorine gas, the first time poison gas was used in war. However, a Canadian medical officer recognized what the gas was, and told troops to put a urine-soaked-cloth over their face. This provided Canadians with enough protection to enable them to hold the line and launch a successful counter attack. Canadians received a good reputation as brave and formidable fighters. -
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields is a poem written by John McCrae, a Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel. He wrote it after the funeral of a close friend. Not satisfied with his work, he threw it away, only to be discovered by his fellow soldiers who had it published. It quickly grew in popularity and was used as propaganda and a morale booster. The poem makes note of the red poppies which grew around the dead, which inspired the artificial poppies we wear on Remembrance Day today. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
On Feb. 4, 1915, Germany declared unrestricted submarine warfare and began sinking any and all vessels around the British Isles. The Lusitania (a British passenger ocean liner) was sunk by a German U-boat killing 1,198 of the 1,959 passengers, of which 128 were American citizens. Germany insisted the Lusitania was carrying munitions. British authorities insisted otherwise. This event started to change American’s attitude of the war as they felt they had been attacked by Germany. -
The Battle of the Somme
The Somme was a tragic offensive. Britain had 57,470 casualties on the first day alone. Canada was ordered to take the French town of Courcelette. They held the town for four days against German counter-attacks, while being cut off from supplies and waiting for reinforcements. The whole offensive lasted for months with a total of 24,000 Canadian casualties. This is when it was realized how bad the war was, because of old tactics and new weapons. Leaders also saw it would be a war of attrition. -
The U.S. Joins The War
The United States of America was a big, fresh country with many new troops and supplies to send to Europe. They were also a major boost in morale to war-weary troops, who were extremely grateful for their arrival. As much as the U.S. helped overseas, they also strengthened the Canadian economy. Canadian manufacturers were already producing tons of war materials, materials the U.S. now needed. Canada began to shift its trade from Britain to the U.S., who happily bought Canadian products. -
The Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the greatest military success after years of war. It was the first time all Canadian divisions fought together. Canadian commander Arthur Currie planned the offensive using many new tactics, including the new role of maps, the Vimy glide, elaborate tunnel systems, and use of artillery. Currie planned the attack by the rule “Neglect Nothing”. Canada’s reputation was enhanced as brave fighters. This battle became an important part of Canada’s identity to the world. -
The Second Battle of the Aisne
The Second Battle of the Aisne was the main action of the disastrous Nivelle Offensive by the French. The Germans had underground quarries to protect them from bombardment, fortified trenches, and many machine gun placements which gave them a huge tactical advantage. The French had 40,000 casualties and lost 150 tanks on the first day alone, similar to the losses suffered by the British at the Somme. It also sparked wide spread mutiny in the French army, which limited their effectiveness. -
The Conscription Crisis
The supply of volunteers dried up after disasters such as the Somme. Upon his return from a front line visit, Prime Minister Borden was convinced more troops were needed and proposed a conscription bill. Most French Canadians were against it; most English Canadians supported it. The Military Service Bill was passed in the summer of 1917. Deadly riots broke out, mainly in Quebec. Canada’s linguistic differences were amplified and left everyone with bitter feelings for decades. -
Russia Leaves the War
During the Russian Revolution a communist group, the Bolsheviks, took power. The leader of the Bolsheviks, Vladimir Lenin, wanted to pull out of the war immediately. This resulted in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. This peace treaty favored Germany and officially withdrew Russia from the war. Russia gave up claim to many territories including Poland, the Ukraine, and Finland. With Russia out of the way, Germany wasn’t fighting a two-front war and could focus on the western front. -
The Spring Offensive
German leaders realized they had to win the war fast before the United States could overwhelm them. With troops no longer tied up fighting Russians, they poured deep into France with a string of victories. However, their advance was stopped at the Second Battle of the Marne, where they could not break through defenders. Their advance was stopped cold, and their offensive had dealt them a crippling blow as new American troops and supplies arrived in ever increasing numbers. -
Canada's Hundred Day Offensive
During the last one hundred days of fighting, the Canadian Corps spearheaded several successful attacks on the German line. They took back the ground gained by Germany during the spring offensive, which started just months earlier. Canadians fought in many places such as Amiens, Arras, and the Hindenburg Line as they forced German troops into retreat. The backbone of the German army was broken as they were pushed out of France and Belgium, to the German border. -
Armistice Day
German leaders recognised their defeat and wanted to end the war. An Armistice was agreed to start at 11:00 a.m. when both sides were to stop fighting. Armistice Day was declared a national holiday in several countries including Canada, which later became known as Remembrance Day. On this day we commemorate those soldiers who died, by wearing red poppies which were spoken of in the poem In Flanders Fields. We also have two minutes of silence starting at 11:00 a.m. when armistice was declared. -
The Treaty of Versailles
This was the peace treaty between Germany and The Triple Entente. Canada was represented independent of Britain at the proceedings. Germans felt humiliated by the treaty. The War Guilt Clause made Germany take ALL the blame for starting the war. They were required to pay huge sums to some countries of the Triple Entente. Germany recently paid it off in 2010. This treaty officially ended the war. However, it left behind bitter feeling and planted seeds that helped start World War II.
