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The Triple Alliance
The Triple Alliance was a secret agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy made in May of 1882. The basics of the alliance were as follows: Germany and Austria-Hungary would provide protection from France for Italy should they need it; Italy and Austria-Hungary would provide protection from France for Germany should they need it; and Germany and Italy would provide protection from Russia for Austria-Hungary. This alliance was in play up until World War One (1914). -
The Accession of Wilhelm II
German Kaiser, Wilhelm II, first gained power 1888. His actions inderectly resulted in the French--Russian alliance. This alliance proved to be detrimental for Germany in World War 1. -
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The Schlieffen Plan
Click here to see a diagram of the Schlieffen plan The Schlieffen Plan was created in December of 1905 by General Count Alfred von Schlieffen. It was put into action against France when Russia began mobilising on the German Border. The plan required going through Luxembourg and Belgium to get through to France. -
The Triple Entente
In May of 1907, Britain joined Russia and France in their Entente Cordial (made in 1894), making it the Triple Entente. The Triple Entente, unlike the Triple Alliance, it stated that the three countries had a moral obligation to each other. The countries didn't have great relationships: particularly France and Britain who had a history of fighting each other. However, the three countries were united in their fear of Germany's power. -
Assasination of Franz Ferdidnand
Serbian terrorist group The Black Hand assasinates the Hier to the Austrian Throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, triggering WW1. -
The July Ultimatum
The July Ultimatum was created after, and for compesation for, the assination of Franz Ferdinand. It was presented to Serbia by Austria-Hungary, Serbia agreed to most, but not all, of the terms on the ultimatum. Austria-Hungary then declared war on Serbia, because of their refusal of all the conditions. -Image sourced from World War One Institute. http://ww1institute.org/topicsummaries.html. (accessed 5 June 2014) courtesy of the Library of Congress -
Austria declare war on Serbia
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. This brought Russia into the war as Russia had an agreement with Serbia to protect them. -
Russian Invasian of East Prussia
Russia invades East Prussia, many German soldiers were captured as consequence. There were over 300 000 casualties. -
Germany declares war on Russia
Germany declares war on Russia. This was partly because Russia was mobilising near Germany. -
German invasion of Luxembourg
Germany needed to go through Luxembourg to fulfill the Schlieffen plan. -
Germany declares war on Belgium
Germany declares war on Belgium after they refuse Germany passage through their country to France. -
England declares war on Germany
Britain declared war on Germany, in response to the Germany's declaration of war on Belgium. The Treaty of London, signed in 1867, promised that Britain would protect Belgium's right to neutrality. -
German invasion of Belgium
Germany invades Belgium because it was part of the Schlieffen plan. The Schlieffen plan required Germany to go through Belgium in order to invade France, however Germany originally asked for free passage through Belgium. -
Australia's entry
AUSTRALIAN INPUT - As soon as Britain entered into war, the Australian Prime Minister at the time, Andrew Fisher immediately promised Australian support. Men wanted to enlist for many reasons, particularly their loyalty to Britain. They was also plenty of advertising that painted men as weak if they didn't enlist (see image), or depicted wartime to be very patriotic, communal and adventurous. -Image: Anzac Day. Homefront. http://anzacday.org.au/history/ww1/homefront/homefront.html -
The Battle of Tannenberg
In order to aide France in the war Russia took to Germany in a strategic battle, to help divert attention away from France in the front line. Russia suffered tragic losses: 250 000 men died. France, however did gain from this battle, Russia was successful in their stratergy, but it was at a terrible cost. The image depicts some Russian prisoners of war after the battle. -
The First Battle of the Marne
(Also known as Le première bataille de la marne)
This was the Germany's first major loss in WW1, 1 million were pitted against Germany during their attempted invasion of Paris. It was a huge blow to the German moral. -
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The First Battle of Ypres
The First Battle of Ypres took place near the Belgium city of Ypres, it was the first of three battles over the city. The battle ended in November after the tough winter weather forced it to a stop; it concluded in favour of the Allied forces. -
Christamas Truces
On Christmas of 1914 the first steps were taken into no-man's land and enemies and allies celebrated Christmas together. Once no longer tolerated commanders cracked down on the soldiers. -
The Second Battle of Ypres
The second Battle of Ypres was actually made up of four smaller battles, the first occuring on 22nd of April. It was a surprise attack from Germany and saw the first use of poison gas from Germany. Poisonous gas was an incredibly deadly aspect of WWI. -
Gallipoli Campaign
AUSTRALIAN INPUT- Australian and New Zealand troops land at Anzac Cove. Attacks and counter attacks, between ANZAC and Turkish troops, lasted 8 months. Australian and New Zealand soldiers were ordered to retreat in November of 1915. -
Australia joins the Western Front
AUSTRALIAN INPUT - After the failed Gallipoli Campaign, Australia joined the fight at the Western Front and began taking part in trence warfare. -
Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun was particularly devastating. It lasted around 10 months and was one of the most gruesome battles of World War One. Germany was against France, both sides lost 600 000 to 700 000 men. -
The Battle of Jutland
The battle of Jutland was the only major fleet battle of World War One. It occured in the North Sea, near Denmark. Britain suffered more losses in battle, but it was strategically quite good for them. -
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The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was an allied attack on the Western Front, near the river Somme. It is remembered for the large amount of British soldiers lost: 58 000 British troops (one third) were killed on the first day alone. The outcome of the battle was more or less inconclusive. -
The Battle of Fromelles
AUSTRALIAN INPUT -The Battle of Frommelles was Australia's first battle on the Western Front. It lasted around 9 hours and 5 000 Australian soliers died. -
The Battle of Messines (part 1)
AUSTRALIAN INPUT -The Battle of Messines was designed to force German forces from the battlefront of Vimy-Arras (important high ground). Australia and Canada had previously made tunnels that the Allies used to lay explosives in. There was German gas shelling, trench warfare and a huge bomb was planned to go off in Enemy territory, it destroyed a huge amount of German soldiers. Australia's primary objective was to take the town of Messines and proceed to high ground. (Continued on in Part 2) -
The Battle of Messines (part 2)
AUSTRALIAN INPUT -The battle was an overall strategic success for the Allies. Private Alan Mather died in battle. His things are now on display in the Australian Army Infantry Museum in Singleton.His remains were found and they were later buried with full military honours in 2010. Image: Australia’s Federation Guard. Burial of Alan Mather. http://www.defence.gov.au/AFG/NewsEvents/burial.html. -
The Kerensky Offensive
The Kerensky Offensive was Russia's last big and prominent attack on Germany. Russia made quick progess to begin with, but German forces, a loss of moral and shortening supplies slowed them down a great deal. On the 16th the Russian soldiers were called to a stop. It made for a sunken exit from the war. -
The Battle of Passchendaele
Also known as The Third Battle of Ypres. British forces broke through German defences easily on the Ypres Salient and British forces captured the town of Passchendaele. -
America enters the war
America declares war on Germany. -
The Battle of Caporetto
Italy was against Germany in Caporetto (modern-day Slovenia). By WWI the Triple Alliance was no longer in play and Italy and France also had a secret agreement not to fight against each other. The battle was a devastating loss for Italy: 11 000 dead, 20 000 wounded and 265 000 taken prisoner by German forces. -
Russian and German Armistice
Russia and Germany sign an armistice to stop fighting. An armistice is an agreement to stop fighting, it's a prelude to peace agreements. -Image: Freepl. http://freepl.info/1069-russians-do-not-comment-revealing-their-secret-agents-germany. (accessed 4 June 2014) -
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The Spanish Flu Kills Millions
In the space of one year, the Spanish Flu had killed more than World War One. It almost certainly started in America (despite the name), the first report was on the 11th of March in Kansas by an American soldier. 20 million died in India alone, 650 000 in the U.S. -
Operation Micheal
Also known as the Second Battle of The Somme. This was the beginning of Germany's Spring Offensive. Operation Micheal was incredibly successful: Germany recaptured all land they had lost in the last two years, a huge blow to the allies. Germany's tactic was to split French and British troops to weaken them. When Germany was on the way out, it was like they had one last burst of energy: the Spring Offensive. Operation Micheal set up the offensive to be disastrous to the Allies. -
The First tank Battle
Tank battles were an incredibly rare occasion in World War One. The first ever happened outside the village of Villers-Bretonneux on the Western Front and lasted only 60 minutes. British forces won over the Germans -
The Second Battle of the Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne was a part of Germany's Spring Offensive. It was a failure on Germany's part; they foolishly exhausted all their forces. The battle lasted untill the 17th, the Allies comming out on top. It made for the undoing of the Spring Offensive. -
Murder of the Russian Czar
The Bolsheviks murdered the Russian royal family on the 17th of July 1918. The Bolsheviks effectively became the communist party of Russia. The murder happened during the Russian Civil war, and although Russia had exited the WWIprior to this, it still played a part in why the country began fighting. -
Women given Suffrage in Germany
Women were first given suffrage in November of 1918. It was thought that they might help with the German political stability when a revolution was looming. -
Kaiser is abdicated
Kaiser Willhelm II is abdicated. A German republic is created. -
The Armistice of Compiègne
The Armistice of Compiègne marked the end of World War One. It was an armistice that was a prelude to the Treaty of Verssailes. It was between the Allies and Germany. However it wasn't an completely instant effect, fighting didn't stop right away and there were some last minute deaths and casualties after the signing of the armistice. -
Australia's exit
AUSTRALIAN INPUT - In a broader context: Australia lost around 50 000 men in WWI, but compared to the (estimate of) 10 million soldiers that died it isn't that much. 0.5% of soldiers that died were Australian. Only 300 000 ANZAC troops were sent to fight, it does seem like a huge amount but France and Germany both lost double that in one Battle (of Verdun). That said, compared to the populations of other participating countries, Australia did also have a very minimal population (4.5 million). -
The Treaty of Versailles
On this date, The Treaty of Versailles is presented to German leaders. It was described as “dictated peace” by German leaders. In signing it Germany admited responsibility for WWI and they conceded territories to Belgium, Poland and Czechoslovakia. It also made Germany pay compensation to countries, which was very damaging for their economy. The Treaty also gave credibility to extreme right-wing parties (like the Nazi party) because Germans were very frustrated with the outcome of the war.
