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The Assasination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the beginning of the war
The assassination of the Austrian Archduke and his wife by a 19 year old Serbian working for the black hand. The two shots were fired in Sarajevo, Austria Hungary. Due to this, Austria-hungary declares war on Serbia on July 26th thus drawing the Allies (German, Austria-hungary, and Italy (at the time)) and the triple Entente (France and Russia) into the beginning of WW1. -
Schlieffen Plan Enacted by Germans
Germany’s Schlieffen plan is to outflank France by going through Belgium and coming back around. This is to win quickly before Russia mobilizes and so they don’t fight a two front war. Germany declares war on France on Aug. 1st, war on Russian on Aug. 2nd, and war on Belgium Aug. 3rd. Since Britain had insured Belgium’s neutrality, invading Belgium brings Britain into the war on the side of the Entente on Aug. 4th. -
Canada enters the war (Total war)
Canada enters the war the day after Great Britain does (Aug. 5th) after being announced by the governor general. Many recruits join for the excitement to go to war or pay and on the first day over 10,000 men volunteer. Within a month the training camp at Valcartier is set up and by Sep. 4th there are over 30,000 men stationed there. The country goes into total war production, producing everything from sock to ammunition to food for the war. -
Second battle at Ypres
One of the battles in the “Race to the sea” with the first battle on Oct. 18. The Entente is trying to hold 3.5 km of land near Flanders. This is the first battle that Canadians fight in and also the first battle were chlorine gas is used by the Germans. The gas causes the French to flee, leaving the Canadians open, but they manage to stay (using rags covered in urine) and Canadians are renounced for their bravery and gain a reputation at Ypres. 6000 Canadian Casualties with more than 2000 dead. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The sinking of the British liner, carrying many civilians, by a German U-boat captined by Kapitän-leutnant Schwieger. The liner was on its way from New York to Liverpool and was sunk by 1 torpedo off the coast of Ireland. It took 18 minutes to sink and 1198 passengers (many of them wealthy) drowned. Most of the passengers onboard were American so it changed many people’s attitude about the war and that maybe it would affect them. This event is one of the events that brought the US into the war. -
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Battle of Verdun
Known as the “Battle of France” it was a major offensive by the Germans in an attempt to “bleed France white” using a German force of over 140,000 men.The battle was the longest in WW1 (over 300 days) and was the first large use of flame throwers in the war. An estimated 1 million casualties, 360,000 French dead and 340,000 Germans dead. The battle of the Somme on Jun 24th was launched as an attempt to take pressure off of the French troops at Verdun. -
Battle of the Somme
Attempt to draw the attention away from the French the battle at the Somme was the bloodiest battle in the war and made many disgusted by the war. There was the most casualties ever recorded on the first day of fighting (57,470). In total the battle goes on for 141 days, 1.25 million casualties (24,000 Canadian) for a total gain of 11km. The Battle also adds to the reputations of Canadians as fierce fighters. The Somme was a show of old tactics in a new type of war (attrition wouldn't work). -
America Enters the War
After the Germany enacts unrestricted submarine warfare America starts to feel like it is being treated by Germany. When The Zimmerman telegram is publicized on March 1st (coded telegram to Mexico stating a possible alliance if they war against America) and this America’s view on the war. America declares war on Germany April 6th which would bring a hug number of supplies and troops (land Jan 1918). America entering the war would turn the tide for the Entente. -
Battle of Vimy Ridge
A highly fortified position by the Germans on the high ground of Vimy Ridge. Previous attempts by the English and French were unsuccessful but the Canadian General Curie saw the flaw in old war strategies and implemented new techniques. Revolutionary ideas such as the rolling block barrage, the Vimy glide, handing out maps to troops, battle rehearsals, tanks and much planning. This victory by Canadians led them to be the elite force of the Entente and some say was the turning point for the war. -
Canadian Conscription
A law passed in Canada saying that all single, bodied men between the age of 20-45 were forced to join with some acceptations. The highly argued dispute came when the number of volunteers started to drop in Canada. It was most widely rejected by the French Canadians and on the day of the voting riots broke out in Quebec at the news of its passing. Conscription caused a wider gap of separation between English and French speaking Canadians. -
Battle of Passchendaele
The 3rd battle at Ypres, it was the muddiest battle in the war as it was below sea level and the pumps were destroyed by artillery fire, so much equipment simply sunk into the mud. It was an attempt to break through the German line and destroy the German submarine base. The Germans were prepared for the attack and in the Canadians only got 7km, which was later retaken by the Germans. 310,000 British casualties and 260,000 German casualties and also the first use of mustard gas by the Germans. -
Russia armistance
King Zar is starting to lose control of his country and he establishes a government to try and keep peace. With millions of casualties, widespread poverty, sickness and hunger the Russian people want an end to the war. Seeing this, the Germans return the exiled communist leader, Valadmir Lenin, back to Russia in hopes of him creating a revelation. The new government Russian signs armistice with Germany and this causes a surge of troops that are not fighting to aid the Allies in the offensive. -
Halifax Explosion
A French munitions ship, Mont Blanc, and the Belgium ship the Imo collide near Halifax waters. The Mont Blanc is carrying over 3000 tons of explosives and the resulting explosion is the largest manmade explosion until WW2. The blast devastates the major military harbor of Halifax and the entire town. 2000 Canadians were killed and 9000 injured and the aid was slowed down by a snowstorm blowing that morning. The Halifax explosion makes Canadians feel the first hand the effects of war. -
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The last 100 days
The major offensive by the Allies due to the armistice with Russia is countered in what is known as the “Last Hundred days” where the most advancements in all the war happen. The last hundred days are a last ditch effort for both sides to try to win the war before the Americans arrive. Starting at the major victory at the battle of Amiens the Entente manages to push German back 130km, almost to its border. The Entente recovers all of France and Belgium and this is the final push to win the war -
Armistice and peace
Germany realizes that they can’t win the war and they“Sue for peace” and armistice is made at 11am of Nov 11. The Germans are hoping for the peace arrangements made by Woodrow Wilson (14 points) but they are not so lucky. The negotiations start in January 1919 and the Germans are sign the treaty Jun 29th.The terms are that Germany takes all the blame for the war and has to pay reparations of approximately 6.6 million pounds. After this Wilson creates the league of nations and World War one ends.
