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Franz Ferdinand, archduke of Austria, assassinated
Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, was touring the town of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia, when he was shot dead, along with his wife. Historians believe that this was the trigger that started the First World War, although tension between the different nations were starting to arise before hand. -
Period: to
World War 1
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Austria declared war on Serbia
The Austrian government blamed Serbia for the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. In response to the death of the two of them, Austria declared war on Serbia. This is the beggining of the first World War. -
Germany declares war on Russia
Germany, allies of the Austrian-Hungarian empire, declared war on mother Russia to honor their alliance with Austria-Hungary, but also for a reason that was well known by every nation. Mother Russia was allied to Serbia, therefore, they would soon declare war on Austria-Hungary, -
Germany declares war on France
Germany declares war on France under the direct order of the Schlieffen plan. -
The Schleiffen Plan
This was Germnay's secret battle plan. Devised by General Count Alfred von Schlieffen in December 1905. This was Germany's operational plan for an attack on France, while Russia was preparing for war, giving them time to completely take over France, then turn towards Russia, and do the same, but to succeed, Germany had to find the least defended point in France, and attack there. -
Germany invades Belgium
For the Schlieffen plan to work, Germany had to attack France from its weakest point. On the 3rd of August, 1919, Germany entered Belgium with a mass of 750,000 troops. Belgium was weak, and powerless against the Germans. With only a measly army 117,000 troops to defend their borders, they were decimated. -
Britain declares war on Germany
Long before the war, Britain had signed pact with Belgium. Britain swore to protect Belgium if war was to ever come it's way. Germany did not no of this, as they ploughhed their way through Belgium they were given a chance to stop. Britain gave them 3 days to pull out their troops. Germany rejected the offer, and continued to head for France. Britain in retaliation, declared war on Germany. -
Japan declares war on Germany
Japan declares war on Germany through their alliance with Great Britain, which they signed in 1902. -
Germany defeats Russia at the battle of Tannenberg
The battle of Tannenberg was a huge loss for the Russians. Russia marched towards Prussia to meet the Germans in battle, but they underestimated the differences in the railway gauges between Russia and Prussia, therefore, it was extremely difficult for the Russians to send extra supplies to support their men. On the other hand, the Germans used their railway system as an advantage, and surrounded the Russians, giving them no time to prepare for battle. -
Turkey joins the central powers
Turkey enters the war, already huge enemies with Russia, they join sides with the central powers. (Germany and Austria-Hungary). -
Russia declares war on Turkey
Russia immediately declares war on Turkey for siding with the central powers, as they are already arch enemies. -
Britain and France declare war on Turkey
Allies of Russia, Britain and France also declare war on Turkey, this is in response to Turkey assisting Germany in their efforts to destroy Russia. -
Beginning of trench warfare on the Western Front
As Christmas neared, hopes for the war to be over diminished, as both sides found themselves digging trenches all over the battlefields. Trench warfare started in the late 1914's. Trenches were used as a protection line for troops when under enemy small arms fire, aswell as enemy artillery. -
The first Zeppelin raid on England
On a bright sunny morning, January 19th, 1915, two German zeppelin airships, L3 and L4, departed Fuhlsbüttel in Germany. Loaded with 30 hours worth of fuel, 8 bombs, and 25 incendinary devices, they headed straight for England. Ordered by Emperor Wilhelm II himself, Germany planned to bomb military and industrial buildings, but nothing more, as Emperor Wilhelm II was afraid of the royal family, for he was related to them. -
Poison gas was used for the first time, at the second battle Ypres
At the second battle of Ypres, poison gas was released for the first time. At around 17:00 hours, 22nd of April, French lookouts in Ypres noticed a yellow-green cloud heading towards them. The french troops thought it was a smokescreen used to disguise the Germans movements, as such they were ordered to open fire at the smoke. The gas had a deadly, and immediate affect on the men. Their comrades fled in fear of the gas, retreating from their posts, leaving them empty. -
Landing at Anzac Cove
Landing at Anzac cove was part of the invasion of the Gallipoli peninsula. The majority of the troops were made up of Australian and New Zealand corps (ANZAC) who landed on the 25th of April, 1915. The real purpose of the invasion was to take over the Ottoman forts that controlled the passage of the Dardanelles straits. Unfortunately for the ANZACS, the Ottomans knew of their operation, and prepared for battle. What was planned as a swift and easy task, soon became one of the deadliest battles. -
'Lusitania' is sunk by a German torpedo
On the 7th of May, 1915, German U-boats approached the RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland. The Germans identified the boat, and opened fire with torpedoes, sinking the ship in only 20 minutes, and killing 1,198 people, and leaving 761 survivors. The sinking of he RMS Lusitania left countries opinions towards Germany sour. The destruction of the ship brought in America to the war, and also helped justify the reasoning to why Britain should be envolved. -
Italy joins the allies and declares war on Austria-Hungary
Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary, despite its agreement to the triple alliance alongside Germany. -
Italy declares war on Germany
Already declaring war on Austria-Hungary, Italy declares war on Germany, despite its agreement to the triple alliance. -
Gallipoli offensive ends in failure
The Gallipoli campaign took place between the 25th of April 1915 and the 9th of January 1916. It was a combined operation between Britain and France. Their plan was to take over the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (Istanbul), so then they could secure a sea route to Russia. The allies made an attempt to attack through the Dardanelles, but this ended in failure. -
Gallipoli offensive ends in failure - continuation
The allies then made an attempt to attack on land, landing their troops on the Gallipoli peninsula. The attempt failed, and after 8 months of hard fighting, and a horrendous amount of casualties on both sides, the invasion plan was finally aborted, and the men were sent home. Gallipoli was one of the greatest victories for the Ottoman empire, and is considered to be one of the most major failing operations for the allies in history. -
Germany signs an armistice with the Allies – the official date of the end of World War One.
At 11 am, in a small french town knows as Redonthes, Germany signed the Armistice with the allies, bringing an end to the war. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The treaty of Versailles was the peace settlement, which was signed after World War 1 had finished. The treaty was discussed between Germany and the allies, and what was to become of them. Germany was blamed for the war, and all its destruction, so the allies set certain rules for them. They limited their military, and also gave back the land of which they had conquered in the war to their rightfull owners. With no army, nor allies, Germany had no choice but to accept the treaty. -
Death toll of World War 1
Britain : 750,000 soldiers killed; 1,500,000 wounded
France : 1,400,000 soldiers killed; 2,500,000 wounded
Belgium : 50,000 soldiers killed
Italy : 600,000 soldiers killed
Russia : 1,700,000 soldiers killed
America : 116,000 soldiers killed
Germany : 2,000,000 soldiers killed
Austria-Hungary : 1,200,000 soldiers killed
Turkey : 325,000 soldiers killed
Bulgaria : 100,000 soldiers killed
