-
Alliances were one of the key principles during a war, where two or more countries created a strong, but also balanced, case of mutual support. Countries that formalize a treaty of alliance, are usually sensing a threat from other countries and feel the need of support (Wanting to build a stronger military). In WWI, six European countries are divided into two; Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were the Triple Alliance; France, Britain and Russia were the Triple Entente.
-
U-boats were mostly used by Germans Armed with torpedoes that could sink large ships. Germany sunk merchant ships and freighters that carried supplies to Britain in hope to starve them into submission. Machine guns that fired 400-500 rounds per minute changed the way wars were fought. Both sides had them so infantry attacks across no man’s land became futile; New strategies needed to be found.
-
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, traveled to Sarajevo for a visit to inspect the imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both of them got shot to death by Gavrilo Princip, a young Serbian nationalist involved in a group called The Black Hand.
This assassination caused a catastrophic spark of events that eventually led into WWI. The collapse of the European great power's fragile peace began on July 28th, when Austria-Hungary asked Germany to declare war on Serbia. -
The first Canadian Division arrived in England, after they sailed off from Canada on October 3rd.
-
Ypres is a small town in Belgium on the border of France, where France and Britain fought against Germany. Canada fought along with Britain, since they were a colony. Same with Algeria and Morocco, who were a colony of France. This made Germany the first to ever use chlorine gas as a weapon, but it also resulted in a quick defence from the opposing side to create their own gas weapons and gas masks. Because of this battle, it inspired the poem "In Flanders Field".
-
Before WWI, Women's jobs were either a nurse, teacher, or stay at home. They barely made any money then, so when their husbands went to war, they were almost left with nothing. Mothers wanted to make more money to support their family during the war, but they couldn’t from the low-paying jobs they had. Even with those circumstances they continued to work hard in their jobs. Because of that, they fought their way to achieve the right to vote.
-
A battle involving the British Empire and France against Germany on the river Somme located in France. The British might've won, but they suffered heavy casualties towards their army only to gain little territory. This was a learning experience for them to remember, so they can come up with a better strategy for their next battle.
-
Britain employed the first tanks ever used in battle, at Delville Wood. Although useful for breaking through barbed wire and clearing a path for the infantry, tanks are still primitive. They failed to be the decisive weapon, as their designers imagined it to be.
-
Russia was ruled by Czar Nicholas II, but he failed to fix very large issues and it became much more disastrous as they involved themselves in the war. Government corruption led the Russian economy backwards. They fought their way out of the war and paved the way for communism. It set up a stage for the Soviet Union to rise.
-
British intelligence gave Wilson the infamous Zimmermann Telegram, a message from German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann, proposed that Mexico will side with Germany in case of a war between Germany and the United States. In return, Germany promised to return to Mexico, the "lost provinces" of Texas, but Mexico declines the offer. The outrage of this interference in the Western Hemisphere, caused the American public opinion to support entering the war.
-
The battle between Britain and Germany took place in, Vimy, Pas-de-Calais, France on the Western Front. A lot of troops from Britain consisted of Canada, because it involved the four divisions of the Canadian Corps. The Canadian troops succeeded excessively thru this battle, which was a defining moment for Canada. This battle symbolized the birth of pride and awareness of Canada, because we felt capable of greatness.
-
Conscription was a debate to require young men, ages 20-45, to work for militaries overseas. Sir Robert Borden fought in this debate and won. A lot were happy, but many saw it as a government more British than Canadian. It was quite discriminatory towards communities and didn’t benefit everyone. This divided French and Canadians. Men who were caught dodging the draft resulted into exemption. A long lasting time of rioting and street battles, mainly in Quebec City, occurred during Easter 1918.
-
Also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, it took place in Passchendaele, West Flanders, Belgium. Troops from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and France fought against Germany and Allied armies, who have been deadlocked on the Western Front for three years. Despite the rainy conditions, Canadians captured the ridge on November 6th. Besides some slight victories, the battle did not benefit their gains, but instead it symbolized a "senseless slaughter".
-
The United States enters World War I on the side of France and Britain. The Congress authorizes a declaration of war against Germany. This started the involvement of America in coming wars.
-
Prime Minister of Canada, Sir Robert Borden, introduced personal income tax to temporarily finance the war. The cost of the war reached $600 million dollars in 1916, so this was a way to pay that off.
-
Known as the 1917 Canadian Federal Election, was an election between Conservative/Unionist Sir Robert Borden and Liberal Sir Wilfrid Laurier. They fought in a debate over conscription. The reason it was called “The Khaki Election” was, because campaigns for the election wore khaki coloured uniforms and it became infamous for being the ugliest in Canadian history. The Military Service Act and Wartime Elections act became a thing after women were given, by the government, the rights to vote.
-
Germany has signed an armistice agreement with the Allies. This was a formal agreement for the six European countries, divided into two, to stop their war and remain in peace for a period of time. On the 11th hour on November 11th of 1918, WWI finally came to an end. This day is also widely known as Remembrance Day, where we celebrate the lives who sacrificed for our country.
