-
Germany declares war on Russia.
TURNING POINT 1/3
- This led to the allies to join the war. It was the one of the main causes for World War 1 to take place. *Cause and Effect - Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia led to this event.
- Causing Germany to declare war against Russia. *Historical Perspective - Germany took advantage of Russia because it would take longer for them to mobilize.
- Anyone would take advantage of this situation just like Germany did. -
Period: to
Duration of World War 1
-
Germany declares war on France.
*Historical Perspective - Germany knew Russia was slow at mobilizing
- Germany declared war against France as they knew France wanted to get back its provinces that had been stolen before. *Historical Significance - Trench warfare was introduced during that time since the war took much longer than expected.
- Soldiers had to dig in. -
Britain declares war on Germany.
*Historical Significance - It is believed that it was this decision that is seen as the start of World War 1. *Cause and Effect - Britain's Prime Minister had given the ultimatum for Germany to get out of Belgium by the midnight of August 3rd.
- Germany did not leave Belgium and war was declared. -
The Battle of Tannenberg begins.
*Historical Significance - It resulted in the complete destruction of the Russian Second Army and the suicide of its commanding general, Alexander Samsonov.
- It was between Russia and Germany. *Historical Perspective - Germany knew Russia's weakness and turned it into their strength: mobilization.
- If I was the commanding officer for Germany, I would have done the same thing as Russia takes a long time to mobilize. -
The First Battle of the Marne begins.
*Historical Significance - It was the first ever battle in World War 1.
- Resulted in an Allied victory against the German Army under Chief of Staff Helmuth von Moltke the Younger. *Continuity and Change - The weapons during that time mostly included rifles and the machine gun which was first introduced at that time.
- Rifles and machine guns are used today but are modified compared to the ones from the past.
- The technology has advanced Trench warfare begins as soldiers on both sides dig in. -
Battle of Ypres begins.
*Historical Significance - This battle was the reason for 4 more major battles that took place.
- It had a major death count. *Cause and Effect - The battle was risen due to the Schlieffen plan.
- Germany wanted to cut through Belgium in order to attack France but was stuck by Belgium forces. -
The unofficial Christmas truce is declared.
Historical Perspective - Living conditions were terrible.
- Trench foot was very common due to the conditions.
- Hygiene issues. Cause and Effect - Due to the cold and the mud, soldiers had to dig in and try to survive against enemy soldiers. -
British Blockade
*Historical Significance - It was a prolonged naval operation.
- It was to obstruct Germany's ability to import goods.
- Britain wanted to starve the Germans and military into submission. *Ethical Dimension - It should not be ethically right to starve someone to death. -
The Dardanelles Campaign begins.
*Historical Significance - Goal was for Britain to create a route so that it can send supplies to Russia.
- This was through the Dardanelles close to Gallipoli and Black Sea.
- Eventually failed after fighting due to the Ottoman Empire.
- It was first Naval operations only. *Cause and Effect - Attempt to create a route by Britain.
-Ended up causing hundreds of thousands of soldiers dying on both sides (Ottoman Empire and British soldiers) -
The Second Battle of Ypres begins.
*Historical Significance - It was the first time that poison gas was ever used in combat. *Ethical Dimension - It was not ethically right for the use of this weapon as it kills with a slow and painful death. -
The battle of Gallipoli begins.
*Historical Significance - Major casualties on both sides: Ottoman Empire and the Allies.
- Estimated casualties around 750 million including all forces and civilians. *Ethical Dimension - Arguably, nobody won, but it was not worth the lives taken. -
The Battle of Verdun begins.
*Historical Significance - It was the bloodiest and the longest battle of World War 1.
- It cost a total of 700,000 casualties on both sides (Germans and French). *Cause and Effect - German Chief of General staff wanted to "bleed the enemy white" (French people).
- He wanted to change the course of war by killing all the French troops which would change the course of war. -
The Battle of Jutland begins.
Historical Significance - It was a major naval battle of the World War 1.
- Largest sea battle in naval warfare history in terms of the numbers of battleships and battle cruisers engaged. *Cause and Effect - Both nations: Germany and Britain were in a naval race,
- British fleet collided with the German fleet off the coast of Denmark in an encounter that became known as the Battle of Jutland. -
The Battle of the Somme begins.
*Historical Significance - One of the largest battle in World War 1.
- One of the bloodiest military battles in history.
- Estimated 1.5 million casualties of Allies and Central Powers.
- First tanks introduced in combat.
*Ethical Dimension - I believe that it is not ethically right to send soldiers which I know will be slaughtered. -
The United States declares war on Germany.
*Cause and Effect - US felt threatened due to the random attacks from Germany usually by ships.
- Woodrow Wilson demanded to stop attacking passenger ships but Germany did not respond.
- US declared war. Historical Significance - US never wanted to get involved in the war.
- They wanted peace.
- Due to the Zimmeman Telegram it led the US to declare war on Germany. -
The Battle of Passchendaele begins
*Historical Significance - It had 200,000 casualties in total.
- Tanks and horses became immobile as the ground was very muddy and it caused many people to drown.
- Britain won this battle by the help of Canada. *Cause and Effect - It was Sir Douglas Haig's attempt to take advantage of the German weakness by launching attacks in Ypres.
- Haig won the battle and claimed ground on Passchendaele and stopped attacking. -
Germany launches the Spring Offensive.
TURNING POINT:
Germany lost most of its men during this battle.
*Historical Significance - Germany had 500,000 troops from the Russian fort.
- Ludendorff was confident and wanted to strike Britain before the Americans could throw strong forces into the scale. *Cause and Effect - Germany had an opportunity to strike Britain.
- After deploying 500,000 men for battle, he found 250,000 American men were already at the western front.
- Germans casualties were 1 million men at the end of the battle. -
The Second Battle of the Marne begins.
TURNING POINT 2/3
- In this event, Germans lacked supplies and knew they had lost the war. This meant that a nation was out of the war and defenseless. This event was the reason why the war was starting to fade. *Historical Significance - It was the last German Offensive and first Allied Offensive victory.
- This was a major loss for the Germans as they lost all of their troops in the battle. *Historical Perspective - If i was a German General, I would not have sent troops without information. -
Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France.
*Historical Significance - Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (i.e. 11 a.m. on November 11). *Cause and Effect - Germany lost most of its army, practically defenseless had no choice but to sign the armistice.
