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Formation of alliances in Europe
In 20th century Europe, the major powers in Europe were starting to form alliances in between themselves. Two major alliances were dominant, the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. These alliances were necessary because tension was being created between the major powers and there was fear of attacks everywhere. They formed these alliances to protect themselves from such feared attacks. -
Formation of alliances in Europe (Continued)
Britain, France, and Russia belonged to the Triple Alliance.
Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary belong to the Triple Entente. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
In June 1914, archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife traveled to Bosnia for a visit. June 28th was the day that he and his wife decided to drop by the city of Saravejo, where they were attacked by Serbian terrorists. They survived a bomb being thrown at their car, but later on got shot by a Serbian assassin named Gavrilo Princip. His death outraged Austria-Hungary and caused the country to declare war on Serbia. -
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Germany declares war on Russia
After a month of waiting, Austria-Hungary decided that it was time to declare war on Serbia. Austria-Hungary made sure that Germany would be there to fight on her side if France, Russia and Great Britain were to join the conflict. Russia, as a response to Austria-Hungary's decision, mobilized her military forces. Germany demanded Russia to demobilize, getting no for an answer. As a result, Germany declared war on Russia, believing that their military force was the strongest in Europe. -
The Battle of Marne
This battle was one of the earliest in WW1. It was fought at the Marne river in France, and Britain faced Germany in a deadly battle. The British suffered a heavy 260000 casualties in comparison to 220000 Germans. This battle was very significant because it introduced trench warfare as a fighting technique. The battle of Marne ended on September 12, 1914. -
First Canadian Division arrives at the battle
The first ever Canadian troops to arrive in the conflict were Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, who arrived in France in December 1914 and fought alongside the 27th British division at the first battle of Ypres. -
The Second Battle of Ypres
The Second Battle of Ypres was fought in Ypres, Belgium (now known as Leper). It was the first important battle that the Canadians fought in, and it was also the first ever battle in modern history where gas warfare was introduced. The reason why this battle was so important lies beneath the fact that Germany introduced chemical weaponry. After this battle was won by Germany, Britain and France began developing their own chemical weapons and defenses. The battle ended on May 25th 1915. -
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Technological advancements in WW1 (Continued #3)
Britain, on the other hand, had developed tanks that were able to shield soldiers from bullets, ignore obstacles such as barbed wire, and shoot with their massive cannons. -
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Technological advancements in WW1
One of the newer pieces of technology introduced in the great war was the machine gun. It was a fast firing, non-stop shooting mounted gun that made infantry attacks useless. Both sides had them, and in order to beat them new technology had to be developed. The 60 pounder gun was a way of defeating the machine gun. It was heavy, powerful, hard to move, and it was accurate. -
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Technological advancements in WW1 (Continued)
At the time, aerial attacks weren't common. The Dirigible was one of the earlier forms of aerial warfare. It was inflated with hot air, and could be used to scout or bomb.Planes also became a more influential thing as the war advanced. Originally, they were used for scouting. However, as time went by, the pilots could throw grenades or shoot a machine gun while inside one. -
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Technological advancements in WW1 (Continued #2)
Planes also became a more influential thing as the war advanced. Originally, they were used for scouting. However, as time went by, the pilots could throw grenades or shoot a machine gun while inside one.Germany developed its own piece of advanced warfare, the U Boat. It was a submarine that was armed with weapons strong enough to sink large battleships. Germany also used chemical gases, such as chlorine gas and mustard gas in order to defeat British and French soldiers. -
Manitoba allowed women to vote
Prior to the war, Canadian women didn't have the right to do much. The only position they were legally allowed to occupy was teaching, they were heavily underpaid and upon marriage, they were forced to resign from any position they may have. Multiple suffrage movements permitted women to have their voice be heard by the world. In 1912, the first ever Canadian woman was assigned as a professor in a Canadian university. Sequentially afterwards, women were given more and more rights. -
Manitoba allowed women to vote (continued)
In 1916, after many battles fought by women demanding equal rights, Manitoba finally became the first province to allow women to vote in provincial elections. -
The Battle of The Somme
This battle, also known as the Somme Offensive, was fought along the Somme river in France. No one at the beginning of the battle knew that it was going to be one of the deadliest battles of WW1. In total, over 1,200,000 casualties resulted and only a small 6 miles were gained by Britain. Britain and France faced Germany in this battle, with Britain being the winner. the battle ended on Nov 18th 1916. -
The Conscription Crisis
Conscription is compulsory enlistment, or in more simple words, being told that you have to go to war whether you like it or not. It was a very sensitive topic because some Canadians, such as French Canadians, farmers and miners opposed conscription while PM Borden, his cabinet and overall English Canadians supported it. -
The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution took place in 1917. During this revolution the Bolsheviks overthrew Tsar Nichols II under leader Vladimir Lenin. This revolution had two major part. The February Revolution overthrew Tsar Nichols II and the Octobre Revolution placed the Bolsheviks in power. This was the beginning of the USSR. This revolution also automatically removed Russia from the war. -
The Battle of Vimy Ridge
In this battle, Canada faced Germany in Vimy, France. The battle took place from the 9th of April 1917 until the 12th of April 1917. It was a victory for Canada, but a sour one. Canada had 10000 casualties in this battle and managed to cause 20000 German casualties, with around 4000 German prisoners of war. The reason why this battle was very significant was the fact that this was the first time all 4 Canadian divisions fought together. -
Income tax was introduced in Canda
At the time of war, countries were paying heavy amounts to send equipment to their soldiers and therefore were going bankrupt, because they didn't have any income. War was expensive! In order to fund the war, the governments introduced income tax for their people and urged them to buy victory bonds. -
The Battle of Passchendaele
This battle is also known as the 3rd battle of Ypres because it was also fought on the Ypres salient. France, Britain and Canada fought this battle against Germany. 15700 Canadian casualties and 500,000 total casualties resulted from this battle. The reason why this battle was significant is that it is a symbol of the senseless war in the Western Front. Britain won this war on November 6th 1917 -
The Khaki Election
Elections were coming up in Canada and PM Borden knew that by the rate it was going, he would not get re-elected. In an attempt to forcibly re-elect himself, he used the Military Voters Act and the Wartime Elections Act. He also formed a union government which consisted mostly of members of his cabinet. Using this method, he governed until 1920. It was called the Khaki Election because of the color of the uniforms. Some also call it the Doomsday Election. -
The end of Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign on Germany
Kaiser Wilhelm II was he emperor the German Empire from June 15th 1888 all the way until November 9th 1918. He is known as the man who caused WW1 because he was the one to influence Austria Hungary to attack Serbia. He died in the Netherlands at the age of 82 where he was exiled. -
Armistice of 1918
On November 11th 1918, the armistice of 1918 marked the end of World War 1. Germany signed the armistice realising that there was no hope left for them to win the war. In today's age, we still recognize this armistice every year. Every year on November 11th, people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those who fought in the First World War and at 11:11, November 11, everyone takes a moment of silence for those who fell in battle. This day is known as Remembrance day.
