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Germany Invades Belgium
To execute the Schlieffen Plan, Germany had to go through Belgium in order to invade France. The plan failed miserably, as the Germans did not foresee Belgiums resistance. -
Austrian-Hungarian Empire Declares war on Serbia
Due to the assassination of the heir to the throne, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire declared what was expected to be a short war on Serbia. Many see this as the beginning of the war. -
Period: to
WORLD WAR 1
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UK Declares War
In the First World War, a state of war with Germany was declared by the United Kingdom on behalf of the entire British Empire. Canada was notified by telegraphic despatch accordingly, . -
First Battle of the Marne
The Allies effectively halted the German offensive towards Paris and thereby kept France in the war. The Battle then proved that a quick victorry fo the Germans were inpossible, and caused the war to decsend into trench warfare -
Second Battle of Ypres
Poison gas (chlorine) was used for the first time at the Second Battle of Ypres.Its impact was immediate and devastating. The French and their Algerian comrades fled in terror. Their understandable reaction created an opportunity for the Germans to advance unhindered into the strategically important Ypres salient. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The RMS Lusitania, which was briefly the world's largest passenger ship, was torpedoed by a German U-Boat.In firing on a non-military ship without warning, the Germans had breached the international laws known as the Cruiser Rules. The ship's sinking provided Britain with a propaganda opportunity, which helped shift public opinion in the United States against Germany -
Italy joins The Allies
Italy was wooed through 1914 and 1915 by the Allied Powers In 1915, Italy signed the secret Treaty of London. The terms of the treaty promised Italy the territories of Tyrol, Dalmatia, and Istria in the Adriatic Sea.with the declaration of war with Austria-Hungary, Italy joined World War I on the side of the Allied Powers. -
Germans capture Warsaw
Germany’s 12th Army (commanded by General von Gallwitz) was able to easily capture Warsaw.This ended Russia’s control of the city which they had ruled for close to 100 years. -
Battle of Verdun
German attack Verdun in the longest battle of the war,
ultimately defended by the French at great cost to both sides -
Battle of Jutland
This was the biggest naval battle in history, ultimately
without a clear victor -
Battle of Somme
The beginning of the disastrous Allied offensive at the Somme, where Allied casualties numbered in the millions. This battle caused Canada to enforce enlistment, hoping to make up for the casualties. -
Tanks Introduced in Somme
Tanks introduced for the first time on the Somme battlefield by the British. this aused a sudden surge in weapons industry. -
Germany Sends Peace Note
Germany issues peace note suggesting compromise peace, This eventually led up to the end of the war two years later. -
Aliies sent Peae Notes To US
Allies state peace objectives in response to US President Woodrow Wilson's December 1916's peace notes. -
Germany Resume Submarine Warfare
Germany adopted the disastrous policy of unrestricted submarine warfare - disastrous in that it brought about America's entry into the war within the space of a couple of months, and ultimately led to her downfall the following year.This was a big turning point in the war. -
US Declares War
The United States enters into the first World War, declaring war on the Central Powers. This caused the Allies to get the boost they desperately needed. -
Battle of Vimy Ridge
April 9 Canadian succeeds at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which until today is considered Canada's greatst military achievment. This success causes Canada to become recognized as a force to be reckened with. -
French Mutiny
May 20 Mutiny breaks out among French army The heavy losses and the disappointing outcome of what was hailed a decisive offensive were undoubtedly the source of the mutinies. -
Third Battles of Ypres (Passchendaele) begins
The British launched a major offensive at Passchendaele and as at the Somme the previous year, it proved a highly costly failure. -
Russia Exits War
Russia opens separate peace negotiations with Germany (Brest-Litovsk), amidst two revolutions. -
Second Battle of the Marne
The turning point of the war, in which the Allies defeated the Central Powers and advanced continuously until the end of the war. -
World War 1 Ends
The Central Powers, tired of fighting, sign the armistice that ends World War 1.Thus ends the Great War ( World War I)
