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Germany declares war on Russia
Cause & Affect : now that Germany has declared war on Russia, every alliance member is going to back eachother up and declare war on everyone else
Historical Perspective : everybody thought that this would be a short war but it will actually last 4 years -
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WW1 Timeline
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The United Kingdom declares war on Germany, after Germany invades Belgium.
Historical Significance : France and Russia now have the help of the UK after Germany initiated the Schleiffan plan
Ethical Dimension : so many lives could have been saved if the UK didnt join the war
This is a turning point in the war because France and Russia now have the support of the UK and therefore, the British empire -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
Historical Significance : Germany now has the support of the Austri-Hungarian empire and the Ottoman empire
Historical Perspsective : Many thought Italy was going to side with the Central Powers but they didnt enter the war until 1915 -
The First Battle of the Marne begins. Trench warfare begins as soldiers on both sides dig in
Continuity & Change : start of a new brutal type of warfare that continued throughout WW1
Historical Perpective: soldiers believed that by making trenches, the enemy cant pass the spot of the trenche
This was a Turning point in the war becasue the rest of WW1 was fought in the trenches -
Battle of Ypres begins
Historical SIgnificance : the "race to the sea" ended during the battle of Ypres. Both sides were fighting for the chance to flank the other using the ocean
Historical Perspective : many thought whoever won the battle, was going to win "the race to the sea" -
The unofficial Christmas truce is declared.
Historical Perspective: people thought that the war awould be over by now and nobody thought tat the war would go on for 4 more years
Ethical Dimension: soldiers forgot about the war and got out of the trenches and talked with eachother -
The Second Battle of Ypres begins. It is during this battle that the Germans first use poison gas.
Continuity & Change: this was the first time that chemical weapons were used in WW1. Both sides signed a treaty that banned chemical weapons
Historical Significance: many lives were lost due to the poison gas. -
The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania is sunk by German U-boat
Historical significance : almost 2000 people were killed
Ethical Dimension : many said it wast right that the Germans sunk a boat full of civilians -
Italy declared war on Germany and Austria
Historical Perspective: Italy were allied with Germany and Austria-Hungary but stayed neutral at the start of the war. nobody expected them to be on the side of the Allies.
Continuity & Change : in WW2, Italy was actually on the side of Germany and Japan -
The Battle of Verdun begins. The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War I and was one of the bloodiest.
Historical Significance : this was one of the bloodiest battles and was the longest battle of the war
Cause & Affect : this battle eventually led to the battle of the Somme -
The Battle of Jutland, the major naval battle of the war, begins.
Historical Significance : this was the major naval battle in WW1 (British and German) Britain kept control of the nort sea
Historical Perspective : Britain proved that they were the best naval force in WW1 -
The Battle of the Somme begins. During the Battle of the Somme, tanks are first introduced into battle.
Continuity & Change : This was the first battle with tanks and set the course for the rest of the war
Historical Significance : one of the most bloodiest battles of WW1 -
Germany sends the secret Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in an effort to entice Mexico to join the war. The British intercept and decipher the coded message.
Cause & Affect : the British showed this to the US and they eventualy joined the war
Historical Significance : The US army were great reinforcements for the Allies. Many lives were lost on both sides
This is a turning point in the war because now the Allies have the powerehouse, the US, on their side and now the Allies will outnumber the Central Powers -
The Battle of Passchendaele (also known as the Third Battle of Ypres) begins.
Ethical Dimension : it wasnt right for the UK to use belgians land to fight
Historical Significance : mnay people died in this battle. this is known as one of the most important battles of WW1 -
The Bolsheviks successfully overthrow the Russian government during the 1917 Russian Revolution
Cause and Affect : since Russia was having its own problems, they eventually had to pull out of the war
Historical Perspective : the Allies were scared that a big part of their alliance, Russia, will pull out of the war -
The armistice agreed upon between the new Russian government and the Central Powers goes into effect.
Historical Perspective : at this point people believed that the war would be over soon
Cause and Affect : this eventually lead to the end of the war -
German Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates and flees Germany.
Historical Perspective Germany has no leader, now the Allies know that the war will be over soon
Cause & Affect : this lead to the end of of WW1 -
Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
Ethical Dimension : the most brutal war at the time was finaly over and no more lives had to be lost
Continuity & Change : every year, we honour all the fallen soldiers with a moment of silence at 11:00 am on November 11