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Start of World War I
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne, is murdered by Gavrilo Princio, a Slav nationalist in Sarjevo. This incident escalated into WWI with sides dividing among already established diplomatic alliances.
Central Powers-Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy
Allied Forces-Britain, France, Russia -
Britain declares war on Germany
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Britain declares war on Austria-Hungary
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Japan joins Allied Forces
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Ottoman Empire joins Central Powers
Turkey formally enters the war with the bombing of Russian Black Sea ports. -
By December the war has spread to the seas
By December, 1914, the English coast was being regularly bombarded by German warships. The British Naval fleet was the largest, but the German fleet was newer and better equipped. -
First German Zeppelin raid on Britain
Up until this point German Zeppelins had been used mostly for reconnaissance. These attacks are responsible for some civilian casualties and great amounts of material damage. -
Lusitania sunk by German U-boat
image from Evening public ledger., May 07, 1915, Night Extra, Image 1
Lusitania, a passenger liner is sunk resulting in a loss of 1200 civilian lives, including 128 Americans. -
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Most damaging London attack by German Zeppelins
Image credit
This was the most damaging attack on London, resulting in more than half of the material damage in all of 1915. -
By October women have been called to take traditional "man" jobs.
Britain was unprepared for WWI and it lasted well beyond what anyone had imagined. With more and more men leaving to serve in the Allied Forces, women began taking on traditional male roles in the workplace. -
Able British men between 18-41 must enlist and serve their country.
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Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun was the longest single battle of WWI lasting until December 16, 1916. Germany's plan was to humiliate France over a historic stretch of land and in the words of von Falkenhayn, "bleed France white." Both Germany and France suffered great losses. The Allied Forces answer to Verdun was the Battle of the Somme. -
Armed uprisings in Dublin
Flag is from
Also called the Easter Rsing, an attempt to end British rule and establish the Irish Republic. After a week of fighting, the British quelled the uprising and executed its leaders. -
Battle of Jutland
Picture of HMS Queen Mary sunk at Jutland
Huge cost to both sides with Germany losing less boats and troops but Allied Forces were able to gain control of the seas, allowing easier access of supplies to Europe. Considered to be the only major naval battle of WWI. -
Battle of the Somme
Credit: British Air Force Photograph-in public domain
One of the bloodiest battles on record. This battle took place in France with an offensive led by British and French troops, lasting until November 18, 1916. The British losses from this battle had a huge social impact as battilions were comprised of men from the same home towns. -
US joins Allied Forces
German unrestricted submarine warfare was the main reason President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war. -
British royal family changes their name
Image credit
With anti-German sentiments at an all-time high, the royal family changed their name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the more British sounding Windsor. -
Second Battle of the Marne began
Important because this is the recognized start of the collapse of the German army as the Allied Forces forced the Germans back behind the Hindenburg line. As a result much of occupied France and Belgium was freed.
Image is in the public domain. French troopers under General Gouraud, with their machine guns amongst the ruins of a church near the Marne, driving back the Germans. 1918. -
Armistice signed between Allied Forces and Germany
At 11 a.m. in the Forest of Compiegne an armistice was signed and fighting stopped. Millions of young men from around the world were dead. -
General Election
Women over 30 were allowed to vote and the coalition parties returned to power. -
Treaty of Versailles signed
The Signing of Peace in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, 28th June 1919Official end to the war. between Germany and Allied powers.
