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World War 1
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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. Princip was part of a group linked to the Black Hand, an organization seeking to promote Slavic independence from Austria-Hungary. After the assassination occurred, tensions between Serbia and Austria-Hungary rose. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the attack and issued an ultimatum. -
War Declaration
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after Serbia failed to comply with its ultimatum. Russia, allied with Serbia, began mobilizing its forces in defense of Serbia, which led to Germany declare war on Russia. France, allied with Russia, was then declared war on by Germany. The conflict increased as Germany invaded Belgium to reach France, leading Britain to declare war on Germany. This marked the start of World War I. -
Belgium Invasion
Germany invaded Belgium as part of its strategy to get rid of France through the Schlieffen Plan. The Schlieffen Plan was made to defeat France in the west before turning to Russia, though it required an invasion through Belgium. In the end, the Schlieffen Plan ultimately failed and was followed by Britain declaring war on Germany. -
Battle of Tannenberg
Taken place on the Eastern Front between Germany and Russia. German forces defeated the Russian Second Army. As a result, the Russians suffered heavy losses with over 100,000 soldiers captured and Samsonov, Russia's general, committing suicide. The victory gave Germany a significant strategic advantage in the East and boosted German morale early in the war. -
Battle of the Marne
The Battle of the Marne stopped the German army from reaching Paris. The Germans had advanced through Belgium, but French and British forces fought back along the Marne River. The battle ended with the Germans retreating, and both sides dug trenches which started the style of warfare which would would dominate the Western Front. This victory saved Paris and prevented Germany from winning the war quickly. -
Sinking of Lusitania
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner traveling from New York to Liverpool before it was sunk by a German U-boat. The Germans had declared the waters around Britain a war zone and warned ships that they could be attacked. Despite this, the Lusitania was carrying both passengers and war supplies, making it a target for Germany. The sinking killed 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, which outraged the U.S. and increased tensions between the two countries. -
Battle of Verdun
One of the longest and bloodiest battles fought between Germany and France. Germany aimed to bleed France dry of their resources by attacking the important city of Verdun. The battle became a symbol of French resilience, with both sides suffering over 700,000 casualties. The French managed to hold their ground and repel the German forces. Verdun's heavy losses became a representation of the high human cost of the war and the horrors of trench warfare. -
Gallipoli Campaign
The Gallipoli Campaign was a military operation launched by the Allies. Its goal was to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula and secure a sea route to Russia. The campaign failed their naval attack and was followed by attacks from British, French, and ANZAC forces. Ottoman strongly resisted, leading to months of bloody stalemate. The Allies eventually withdrew, marking the campaign as a costly failure with significant consequences for both sides. -
Battle of Somme
The Battle of the Somme occurred between the Allies and Germany. The battle began with a large artillery bombardment intended to break through German defenses. It was one of the major and bloodiest battles in history, with over a million casualties. Despite heavy losses on both sides, the Allies gained only a small amount of territory, making the battle a symbol of the horrific cost of the war. -
Germany's Unrestricted U-boat Warfare
German submarines attacking and sinking any ship, including neutral and civilian vessels, around Britain. The goal was to block Britain's supply lines and starve the country into submission by sinking merchant ships without warning. This strategy angered neutral countries, especially the United States, after several American ships were targeted. -
The Zimmermann Telegram
The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret message sent from Germany to Mexico, offering an alliance in the event of the U.S. entering World War I. Germany promised to help Mexico regain the territory it had lost to the U.S. (Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico) if it declared war on the United States. The British intercepted and decoded the message, then shared it with the U.S., causing America to face further outrage and conflict towards Germany. -
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution led to the fall of the Russian monarchy. People were unhappy with poor living conditions, losses in World War I, and economic problems. In February 1917, protests forced Tsar Nicholas II to give up the throne. By October 1917, the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, took control, leading to the creation of the Soviet Union and Russia withdrawing from World War I. -
America Joins the War
Enraged by Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, the sinking of the Lusitania, and the Zimmerman Telegram, President Wilson finally declared war against Germany. Eventually, the U.S. joined the Allies and provided all kinds of supplies. -
Armistice
The Armistice agreement ended the fighting in World War I. Signed between the Allied powers and Germany after the Central Powers were exhausted from facing defeat on both fronts. The armistice called for an immediate ceasefire and outlined terms for Germany to withdraw its forces and give up occupied territory. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, officially ending World War I. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and reparations payments to the Allied powers. The Allies wanted to punish Germany for its role in the war and prevent future conflicts. However, the treaty's harsh terms contributed to economic hardship and resentment in Germany.