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Development of Alliances
Alliances were made to provide military support to a country that was being attacked. This caused an easily treated misunderstanding of two countries that would result in an unnecessary battle due to the countries they allied with. -
Alliances
The main alliances of WW1 were THE TRIPLE ENTENTE which included Britain, France, and Russia. THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE, on the other hand, formed by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. In 1914, Austria-Hungary was attacked by Russia which then involved Great Britain and France to join the war. -
Technology in WW1
Weapons were a major part of World War 1. Each new arm that was used made quite a significance to the battles. -
Life in the Trenches
The trenches that soldiers had to occupy were wet, muddy, cold, and filthy. Soldiers’ clothes were infested with lice and developed a disease that causes your feet to be swollen and black. Mental health was also something soldiers had to keep in mind as men would get shocked from the firing guns and/or exploding shells. -
Women's Situation Before & During the War
Before World War 1, most women stayed home and played the role of a housewife. The others who did work outside their homes consisted of nurses, teachers, textile workers, and rarely doctors. However, during the war, this greatly changed as women started getting recruited to more jobs due to men fighting overseas. They worked in munitions factories, farmers, driving cars, ambulances, trucks, etc. Women were also trained to protect the homeland incase of an attack. -
Machine Guns
Machine Guns introduced to the war by 1914. It would cause many casualties due to its rapid fire bullets, shooting from 400 to 600 rounds per minute. However, this wasn’t the greatest weapon as they were pretty heavy which makes it immobile. -
Artillery (Weapons Used in WW1)
Artilleries was one of the most effective ways to cause many casualties which is why it was used frequently during battles. This weapon fired shells up to 80 miles and could aim well enough to either break trenches or a group of soldiers attacking. The only downside was that it was hard to move, and was very heavy which often sunk in the mud. -
The Assassination of The Archduke of Austria Hungary
The Assassination of The Archduke Of Austria-Hungary, Franz Ferdinand.
In June 28 1914, A national Serbian society, a group known as the Black Hand, assassinated Archduke FRANZ FERDINAND and his wife Sophie Maria Josephine, due to his conquest over The Balkans which included Serbia. National of Serbia were enraged. -
Process of the Assassination
During the Archduke and his wife’s visit to Sarajevo, a Serbian nationalist from the Black Hand threw a bomb onto the car, however failed due to the bomb bouncing off the vehicle. The bomb did hit observers therefore made the Archduke and his wife go to the hospital. On their way there, they had encountered another Black Hand member. Gavrilo Princip took this opportunity to shoot Franz and Sophie -
Result of the Assassination
This caused Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. Russia then started deploying their armies to protect Serbia which overall, caused many nations to join in due to their alliances. -
First Canadian Division
The first Canadian Division got to France in early February 1915, where they were introduced to trench warfare. -
The Second Battle of Ypres
The Second Battle of Ypres occurred from April 22nd to May 25th 1915, in Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium. The nations who battled in this war included the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Belgium, France, Morocco, and Algeria. Canadians who had volunteered in this war consisted of farmers, doctors, workers, teachers, lawyers, etc. The soldiers were miserable in the trenches as it was shallow, poorly made and were filled with filthy water mixed with feces and dead decaying bodies. -
Poisonous Gas (Weapons Used in WW1)
Poisonous gas was first used in the Battle of Ypres (April 22nd, 1915), where the Germans filled an artillery tank full of chlorine gas. The gasses that were used in the battle harmed the troops eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Since chemical weapons were new to the battlefield, soldiers would use rags that were either soaked with water or urine. -
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The Second Battle of Ypres
This significant event led to numerous deaths due to the introduction of the poisonous chlorine gas used against the Western Front. An estimated 6,500 Canadians were killed or were greatly injured and about 69,000 troops died overall.
Therefore every November 11th marks the Remembrance Day, to commemorate the soldiers who fought in this war. -
Tanks (Weapon Used in WW1)
Tanks were secretly developed by Britain. The British used this weapon in the midst of the Battle of the Somme (September 1916). The first tank weighed about 14 tons (12,700.6 kg) and ran at about 3 mph/hour, however, frequently broke down. Tanks were first used against Germans to cross their trenches and barbed wire. -
Women's Rights to Vote
On January 28, 1916, Manitoba was the first province in Canada to give women over 20 years old and of British ancestry or citizenship, the right to vote provincially. Alberta and Saskatchewan did the same later that year
On December 17 1917, a woman could vote if she was somewhat connected to the war (brother, husband, son). -
The Battle of the Somme
The French and British forces worked together to go against the German Empire. However, numerous of the French were withdrawn out of the fight to reinforce Verdun. This battle took place in the Somme River valley in northern France (where the British and French forces met on the Western Front.) -
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The Battle of the Somme (Continued....)
This fight started on July 1st and ended on November 18th, 1916. The first day of attack lost many lives due to the British’s failed attempt of bombarding the Germans defence and lack of experienced soldiers. The Battle of the Somme is known as one of the most tragic fights of WW1, causing many deaths. Overall, the British troops had 420,000 casualties (125,000 deaths), the French troops had 200,000 casualties, and the German troops had 500,000 casualties. -
Russian Revolution (February Revolution Pt.1/2)
In 1914 (the beginning of the war) , Russia was against Germany. The Russian army was made up of peasants and the working class, but both were not well equipped and not experienced for fighting. By almost the end of the war, Russia had many casualties, which made civilians mad at the Emperor of Russia, Tsar Nicholas II for involving the country into the war. -
Russian Revolution (February Revolution Pt.2/2)
Along with other reasons such as Nicholas' command over the army, Rasputin’s power over the royal family, and the undersupply of food. On March 8th 1917 (February Revolution), citizens of Russia protested about rationing and how there wasn't enough bread. Majority of the protesters were shot. More workers protested to get what they wanted. -
The Battle of Vimy Ridge
This battle occurred on the Western Front, in France. In April 9th to April 12th, 1917, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps worked together and strikes the German troops to take the ridge from them. Canada (being part of the British Empire) was instructed to seize Vimy Ridge to distract the German from the French assault. -
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Battle of Vimy Ridge (Continued....)
Canadians used the creeping barrage technique and fired artillery at a precise time. In conclusion, Canadians gained triumph over this battle, however, there were approximately 10,602 casualties (3,598 deaths) for Canadians and 20,000 casualties for Germans. This win helped Canada achieve its national identity. Many Canadians still honour and take pride in the soldiers who fought in this battle. -
The Conscription Crisis (Continued....)
People who were against conscription were part of the Liberal and Independent party. The people who supported it were part of the Unionists. This divided Canada due the disagreements between French Canadians and English Canadians as the French believe that they serve no loyalty to Britain or France. -
The Conscription Crisis
On May 18, 1917, the government of Canada (Prime Minister Borden) thought it would be best to conscript young men into the military, due to the lack of volunteers. French Canadians, farmers, and non-British immigrants were mostly against this idea. On the other hand, Canadians who were fluent on English, along with the Prime Minister, supported this system. -
Introduction of Income Tax
On July 25, 1917, Canada’s federal government (Thomas White), introduced the Income Tax Act. The reason for this was to pay for expenses of the war. Both personal and corporate incomes were included. -
Battle of Passchendaele
The Third Battle of Ypres or aka, Battle of Passchendaele, was fought in Passchendaele, West Flanders, Belgium from July 31st to November 10th 1917. The nations who participated in this fight included the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who were against the German Empire. The British tried a new tactic in being able to go through the German’s line and also attempted to take a ridge near Passchendaele. -
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Battle of Passchendaele (Continued....)
This battle was fought during horrible weather conditions, with slippery mud, water-filled shell holes. Canadians joined the battlefield on October 26th and took over the ridge on November 6th. In the end, there were approximately 15,654 Canadian casualties (including 4,000 deaths), 275,000 British casualties, 220,000 German casualties. The significance of this battle was that it was muddy and pointless causing many unnecessary deaths. -
Russian Revolution (October Revolution Pt.1/2)
A new government then took over (Petrograd Soviet & Provisional Government). During the October Revolution, the new government decided to stay in the war. The Bolsheviks (led by Vladimir Lenin) were part of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Vladimir promised the people of the country that he would end Russia’s involvement in the war, solve food shortages, and give land to peasants. -
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Russian Revolution (October Revolution Pt.2/2)
On November 6th and 8th 1917, Vladimir and his army ambushed and arrested the Provisional Government, which then made him in charge of Russia. After the revolution, the Bolshevik government signed a peace treaty along with Germany to leave the war. -
The Khaki Election
The Prime Minister of Canada promised that he wouldn’t continue to conscript men to war. Though, this did not continue due to his visit of Canadian soldiers in France and Britain during the spring. He felt pity for these soldiers, so he then decided to pursue conscription. In the summer, Borden established the Military Voters Act, a law that allows men and women to vote overseas. -
The Khaki Election (Continued....)
The elections were coming up and the Prime Minister knew that the people who lived in Quebec would not vote for him since the French Canadians were against conscription. On September 20th, an act called “Wartime Elections Act” was passed. This act allowed women to federally vote if they were related to servicemen/soldiers. It was designed to bring more voters who are likely to support the Unionists. “The Khaki Election” was named after the troop’s uniform colour. -
Armistice (End of WW1)
Germany and the rest of the Central powers were exhausted. They were out of stocks and couldn’t continue due to lack of troops, food, and supplies. German Emperor Kaiser agreed to a ceasefire. An armistice (an agreement of parties in war to stop fighting) was signed to end the war in France at 5:00am on November 11, 1918. The war then ended at 11:00am, which marks the date and time of our annual Remembrance Day ceremonies.
