-
The Start
World War 1 was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia -
Germany Declares War On...
Germany had been drawing up the Schlieffen plan since 1897. It worked on the basis that they would be at war with Russia and France at the same time.The Germans thought that France would be weak and easy to capture & Russia would be much stronger, but very slow to mobilise. Simutaniously Germans could nip over to France, win then come back and finish off the Russians. -
British declaration of war
Germany did not withdraw from Belgium and Britain declared war on Germany -
Japan declared war on Germany
Japan declared war on Germany through her alliance with Great Britain, signed in 1902 -
Second Battle of Ypres
Poison gas was used for the first time during this battle. The gas, fired by the Germans claimed many British casualties -
Lusitania sunk
There outraged protests from the United States at the German U-boat campaign, when the Lusitania, which had many American passengers aboard, was sank. The Germans moderated their U-boat campaign -
Romania enter the war
Romania joined the war on the side of the Allies. But within a few months was occupied by Germans and Austrians. -
First Aeroplane raid
The first German air raid on London took place. The Germans hoped that by making raids on London and the South East, the British Air Force would be forced into protecting the home front rather than attacking the German air force. -
Reinforcements sent to Italy
The Italians had lost many men trying to hold the line between Italy and the Central Powers. British and French reinforcements were sent to hold the line. -
The U.S. enters the war
The U.S. enters the war after the sinking of Lusitania
