-
WW1: START
Archduke Franz Ferdinand the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated in Sarajevo.This became the excuse for the empire to declare war on Serbia whom they wanted to capture.
For further information visit: "Wikipedia - Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand" -
GERMANS DECLARE WAR ON RUSSIA
Germany made an alliance with the Austro-Hungarian empire in the "Dual Alliance Treaty"and declared war on Russia. -
GERMANY DECLARES WAR ON FRANCE
After declaring war on Russia, Germany declared war on France. -
BRITAIN DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY
Britain wants to defend Belgium. Hence, declares war on Germany. -
FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES
The First Battle of Ypres began in October 1914 when German forces attempted to capture the strategic Belgian town of Ypres to secure their positions on the Western Front. The battle quickly escalated as both sides dug trenches, marking one of the earliest large-scale trench warfare confrontations. Despite relentless German assaults, the Allies managed to hold Ypres, but at a tremendous cost in lives, leading to a prolonged stalemate.
For more detail visit:National WWI Museum and Memorial -
SECOND BATTLE OF YPRES
The Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915 marked the first large-scale use of poison gas in warfare. The German forces deployed chlorine gas against French and Algerian troops. This chlorine gas formed a greenish cloud that suffocated soldiers, causing burning in the lungs and eyes and leading to many casualties. The Allies were unprepared for chemical warfare, initially lacking gas masks, and their defenses crumbled temporarily. -
GERMAN U-BOATS SINK THE RMS LUSITANIA
The RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner, was torpedoed by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, while en route from New York to Liverpool. The attack killed nearly 1,200 of the 1,959 people aboard, including 128 Americans. Germany justified the attack by claiming the ship carried war supplies for Britain, despite its status as a civilian vessel.
you can explore detailed resources such as "The Lusitania Resource" -
ALLIED FORCES TRY TO CAPTURE GALLIPOLI
In October, the Allies were assessing the campaign’s effectiveness due to the high casualties and minimal progress, though the final evacuation was not implemented until December 1915 and completed in January 1916. The campaign's planning and execution are seen as a significant episode in World War I due to its challenges and eventual strategic reconsideration.For further research:
Britannica’s detailed overview of the Gallipoli Campaign -
THE BATTLE OF VERDUN
The Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and most devastating battles of World War I, took place from February 21 to December 18, 1916, on the Western Front in northeastern France. The Battle of Verdun is often remembered as an example of the futility and horrors of trench warfare in WWI, exemplifying how strategic goals were often overshadowed by the staggering loss of life.For further reading, you can check:The National WWI Museum and Memorial’s timeline -
BATTLE OF SOMME STARTS
The Battle of the Somme, one of World War I's deadliest battles, was fought between July 1 and November 18, 1916, primarily between British and French forces against the German army along the Somme River in northern France. This battle is particularly notable for its immense scale, the unprecedented number of casualties, and its symbolic significance.For more research information, you can explore:
The National WWI Museum and Memorial’s interactive WWI timeline -
AMERICA DECLARES WAR AGAINST GERMANY
On April 6, 1917, the United States officially entered World War I after Congress voted to declare war on Germany. This decision came after several months of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Germany, largely due to unrestricted German submarine warfare. German U-boats had been attacking and sinking ships in the Atlantic, including vessels carrying American citizens and goods, which had already turned American public opinion against Germany. -
ALLIES LAUNCH THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES(Passchendaele)
Between July 31 and November 10, 1917, the Allies launched the Third Battle of Ypres, commonly known as the Battle of Passchendaele. This offensive, led primarily by British and Commonwealth forces, aimed to break through German lines in Flanders, Belgium, and capture the village of Passchendaele, which held strategic importance for both sides.For further information, check out:
The National WWI Museum’s interactive timeline ,
Imperial War Museums' summary on Passchendaele -
RUSSIA EXITS THE WAR
In November 1917, Russia underwent a major political and social transformation with the Bolshevik Revolution, also known as the October Revolution (it’s called this because Russia was still using the Julian calendar, where October 25 corresponded to November 7 on the Gregorian calendar). For additional details, check: National WWI Museum's interactive timeline ,
Encyclopedia Britannica on the Russian Revolution -
GERMANY'S FAILED OFFENSIVE
March 21, 1918, marked the beginning of the German Spring Offensive during World War I, specifically known as Operation Michael. This was a significant military campaign launched by the German Army on the Western Front. The offensive aimed to achieve a decisive victory before American forces could significantly bolster the Allies .Ultimately it did not achieve its strategic goal of a decisive victory, and the Allies were able to regroup and launch counter-offensives later in 1918. -
SECOND BATTLE OF MARNE
The Second Battle of the Marne was a significant conflict during World War I, fought from July 15 to August 5, 1918. This battle marked a turning point in the war, as it was the last major German offensive on the Western Front and led to the eventual defeat of the Central Powers.Following the Second Battle of the Marne, the Allies launched a series of offensives that ultimately led to the end of the war in November 1918. The battle is often considered one of the turning points of World War I. -
MOVEMENT FOR PEACE
The World War I Armistice, refers to the agreement that effectively ended hostilities on the Western Front on November 11, 1918. This armistice was a critical step toward peace negotiations.The armistice is remembered not only for its immediate effects but also for its long-term implications in shaping international relations and the world order in the aftermath of the war.For more research:Encyclopedia Britannica: Search for "World War I Armistice"
BBC History: The BBC has a variety of articles -
TREATY OF VERSAILLES
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, was one of the primary peace treaties that officially ended World War I.The Treaty of Versailles is often viewed as a significant factor in the political landscape that led to World War II, as its punitive measures against Germany fostered resentment and instability in Europe.For deeper research:
The National Archives (UK), Books: Look for "The Treaty of Versailles: A Very Short Introduction" by Michael S. Neiberg -
CONSEQUENCES OF THE WW1
Military Deaths: Approximately 10 million soldiers were killed. Major combatants suffered heavily: Germany lost around 2 million, Russia around 1.8 million, France approximately 1.4 million, and the British Empire about 900,000.The war cost about $208 billion in direct costs for the warring countries, which included military expenses, reconstruction, and reparations.For further detailed statistics, you can explore:
The International Encyclopedia of the First World War