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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife went to inspect Austria-Hungarian troops in Bosnia. The black hand gave a group of students weapons to attempt to assassinate, and mark the occasion. Gavrilo Princip, a serbian nationalist, ended the Archdukes life, along with his wife's. The Austrian government accused the Serbian government for the assassination, so war was declared on Serbia. -
Austria-Hungary Empire declares war on Serbia
Russia was allied with Serbia. Germany didn’t think Russia would mobilize, so they offered support Austria if necessary. To Germany's surprise, Russia did mobilize causing chaos. Germany then called on the French to mobilize through their alliance. -
Germany declares war on France
German troops went to Belgium under the Schlieffen plan drawn in 1905.“The Schlieffen plan was the operational plan for a designated attack on France once Russia, in response to international tension, had started to mobilize her forces near the German border” (The History Learning site. The British foreign secretary gave Germany an ultimatum, wanting them to withdraw from neutral Belgium. Germany did not withdraw from Belgium, so on August 4 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. -
Battle of Tannenberg
Russian army marched to Prussia. However, the Russians had a hard time getting supplies to their men. This was due to the differences on railway gauge between Russia and Prussia. According to a website (historyonthenet), “The Germans, on the other hand, used their railway system to surround the Russian second army at Tannenberg before its commander could realise it was happening.” -
The Lusitania
The British ship, the Lusitania was attacked by the German submarine. Germany knew the ship was only holding civilians, however, this did not stop Germany from fiering. The ship, which held many Americans, was destroyed and more that 1,100 died. America warned Germany to stop attacking passenger ships many times, America then joined the war. -
Battle of Verdun
The battle of Verdun was considered the longest battle lasting from February 21st, to December 18th, and was ultimately important to all sides. Germany thought that taking over the Western front with France was the key to winning the war. Germany was believed to win, but the French stood strong. Both sided suffered immense loss and changed the way the rest of the war was approached. -
America Enters the War
America stayed out of the war for many reasons, they thought it was a fight between “old world” powers, which wasn't relevant to America. However, when the Lusitania was sunk by German forces, Americas opinion began to change. Then, German foreign secretary sent a proposal to Mexico, asking Mexico to ally with Germany against the United States, this was known as the Zimmerman Telegram. This was said to be the “last straw” which lead president Woodrow Wilson to declare war on Germany. -
Mailing System
Nettie Eurith Trax, an army nurse corps who served in world war one, sent a letter home to her parents. She explains the confusion of the mail system. It turns out, there was a British hospital with the same ‘cognomen’, and the mail often got mixed up. Trax wishes she could send a photo of herself in her nurses uniform, which she thinks her parents would enjoy looking at, but explains that she must abide by the mailing rules; which clearly states that no pictures should be mailed. -
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution began in 1917. Working class people of Russia revolted against Tsar because of terrible working conditions, scarce amount of food, and little pay. The revolution by the Bolsheviks was a success, and lead to an armistice with Germany. Howeverm the terms of the treaty were harsh. Germany had to surrender many regions, and pay 300 million for the respiration of Russian prisoners. -
Poker
Nettie Eurith Trax writes to her mother describing the wonderful weather. Then goes on talking about money and poker. Nettie wants to get into a poker game soon, she has saved 700 francs, which isn't worth anything in her eyes. “We think nothing of spending 100 francs ($20) for a bit of tom foolery that would not extract from us a five dollar bill at home” Trax said. -
Respect
“I just want to tell you some of these things which my boys have been telling me”, Nettie Eurith Trax writes to her mother. Trax has a patient whos a sergeant in charge of a group of African americans. “He was telling me of the difficulties which they have handling these coons” Trax explains in her letter. The men were sent over for labor, and weren’t considered the best. However, these African Americans have done good work, and the white men do respect them. -
Not Nervous
“Your letter of August 7th came in yesterday and has been read so far only five times.” Nettie tells her mother. Although Nettie misses her mother very much, she has acclimated to her surroundings on base. “I’ve lost that nervousness concerning noises and phonograph playing and all that stuff.” She mentions in her letter that she looks and feels different, better. She now has nice muscles, dosen't get tired, and never gains weight. -
The Hundred Days Offensive
At the end of World War 1, the allied troops held a series of attacks called ‘The Hundred Days Offensive.’ beginning with the Battle of Amiens on August 8th, and ending with the Armistice on November 11th. The allied soldiers fought alongside tanks, plantes, and artillery, which took the fight out of the trenches. This ccordination ultimately led to the defeat of Germany. -
Nosedive
Nettie Eurith Trax writes to her mother describing the astonishing performance she just witnessed. “It is just dusk and it is at this time that the ‘Bird Boys’ love best to show off to an admiring populace” Trax explains. A plane flew so high in the sky that it could hardly be seen, then took a nosedive, falling rapidly, and stopping nearly at the ground. While at this moment the pilot is just having fun, these crazy moves can be used in battles to trick the opponent. -
Armistice
After the series of attacks, Germany agreed to sign an Armistice with the allied powers. Inside a railroad car, just outside Compiegne France. Germany and the allied powers agreed to stop all fighting in the air, sea, or ground. “The first world war left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million woundedArmis” (History.com editors). Sadly, nearly five million citizens lost their lives due to disease, starvation, or exposure.
