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Austria declare war on Serbia after Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian Anarchist.
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DORA was introduced, allowing British government the power to acquire any factroy, industry or area of land in the UK.
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Soon after the outbreak of WWI, the War Propaganda Bureau was set up by David Lloyd George with Charles Masterman as head. Famous writers as well as artists were selected to create leaflets, draw emotive pictures etc to make an impact on the British public and keep morale high. The WPB's publications contained many exaggerations and often pure fabrications about the enemy's activities.
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By Christmas 1914, it became clear the war had become one of stalemate-neither side was going to achieve a quick victory.
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Poison gas was used for the first time by the Germans in this battle; chlorine and mustard gas would later be used by both sides during the war.
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Both sides claimed victory: Britain lost more ships and men, but Germany failed to remove blockade.
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Infantry attack began at 7.30 am and 2 huge mines were placed under German lines. 27 divisions (750 000) men went over the top against 16 German divisions. Although the French made quick gains, the British were weighed down by their heavy packs; consequently the Germans had time to set up machine guns. Furthermore, as the enemy's barbed wire was undamaged in many places, British troops funneled through the gaps.
There were around 57000 casualties on the first day. -
Generally regarded as disaster: the troops weren't prepared for the situation, so it was chaos.
The battle showed this would be a long war of attrition. -
Village of Pozieres captured
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Some successes
Main objectives achieved: saved Verdun and killed as many Germans as possible. Furthermore, as some of Germany's best troops were killed or injured, their position was compromised in 1918 towards the end of the war. However...
Only 14km land was gained at cost of around 600 000 casualties (British army 420 000 and French 200 000; the Germans had 500 000). Haig gained title of 'The Butcher of the Somme'; confidence in leaders damaged and British attitudes to war changed. -
So effective at destroying British ships that at one stage Britain was reduced to six weeks' supply of grain.
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Germans drew up plans for a quick victory, as they knew the USA would take time to recruit and train an army.
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German troops advanced rapidly; soon moved forward 65km along a 130km front.
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The start of the collapse of the German army.
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With help from American troops, the Allies were able to reverse the German advance.
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The Allies reached a series of defenses built by the Germans which were known as the HIndenburg Line, by late September. By October the Germans were in full retreat.
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