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Formation of the Triple Entente
Britain, France and Russia enter into an alliance to combat the growing threat of Germany. This Triple Entente became the majority of the Allies in World War 1. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Archduke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. This was essentily the straw that broke the camel's back in the lead up to the war. -
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Countries declare War
On July 28th, Austria declares war on Serbia, with Germany's support. On August 1st, Germany declares war on Russia. On August 3rd, Germany declares war on France, invading Belguim, to assist in its execution of the Scheilffen Plan, which demanded a very fast conquest of France. On August 4th, Britain declared war on Germany. -
The First Battle of Ypres
The Battle of Ypres was fought near the end of the race to the sea, a reciprocal race between the allies and the germans to outflank the enemy by moving north.The battle of Ypres was but the first to be fought there, and marked an end to the active combat on the western front before it devolved into trench warfare. -
Turkey joins Germany as trench warfare becomes the norm
Turkey entering the war marked a powerful new ally for Germany. It was around this time, however, that trench warfare started to entirely dominate the western front. The German trenches were well built, with bunkers and often running water and electricity. The British trenches, on the other hand, were hellish, as they had thought they wouldn't be there for long, and as such had taken very little care in building them. This stalemate on the Western Front would continue for nearly the entire war. -
First Zeppelin air raid on Britian
The first Zeppelin air raid on Britain marked the first of many devastating technological advancements for the sake of firepower in the first world war. The zeppelin, a huge balloon was capable of bringing an incredible amount of firepower to bear against unsuspecting foes below. The entire initative never fully panned out, however, it was devastating for Britian until counter-measures were devopled. -
Allied Troops land at Gallipoli
Allied Forces land at Gallipoli with the intent of taking it from the Turks and controling the sea between Russia and Europe, allowing supplies to reach Russia. -
Allies begin Evacuation of Gallipoli
After the failed attempt to claim Gallipoli, and suffering extremely heavy losses, the allies put out the order to evacuate. This was one of the best planned and executed movements of the entire war. The evacuation finished in early January. The success of the evacuation was largely due to a stroke of ingenuity that kept a dummy gun firing whilst the troops left. -
Conscription introduced in Britian
The introduction was a highly controversial move in the war. It significantly bolstered British ranks, which was needed as the war was going on for far longer than had been anticipated by either side. Now every able-bodied man fought for king and country. The lack of men in the country helped women's efforts for rights after the war, as they kept the country running -
First major use of tanks
The battle of the Somme was the first major use of tanks in the war, and indeed ever. The allies sought to weaken Germany and gain territory, yet they themselves suffered heavy losses, and tanks were brought in to help even the sides between the two. -
Germans begin unrestricted submarine warfare
The germans were facing greater political pressure as the odds mounted against them in the war. They began totally unrestricted warfare with their U-boats. This involved sinking multiple Americain merchant ships, a major factor of their joining the war. -
The Second battle of the Marne
The second battle of the Marne was the last major German offensive on the Western Front. The battle seemed to be fairly normal, however, the allies brought several hundred tanks to the German's flanks. This was devastating for the Germans, and started the relentless advance of the allies until the war ended, nearly 100 days later. -
German Navy mutinied
With the end of the war in sight, the admiral of the German Navy ordered an attack on the vastly superior British fleet, to restore the honour of the navy. However, the sailors believed this a suicide mission, and as such refused to execute the order. This kickstarted revolts all across Germany -
Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates
Owing to dramatically increased political pressure, and a looming armistice with the allies, the Kaiser of Germany abdicates. There had been growing calls for him to abdicate, and he finally gave in, being exiled to Holland with his son. -
Germany signs an armistice with the allies
After taking extremely heavy losses and losing much territory, Germany signs an armistice with the allies. This marked the official end of World War 1, as fighting stopped all across Europe. -
Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles
Germany agreed to the terms posed by the big three of the allies- Britain, France and America. These included a significant loss of territory for Germany, an army of but 100,000 men (Germany evaded this term using reserves) and no air force and a small navy. They had to pay huge reparations to France and Belguim and had to admit that they started the war and were thus responsible for all of the suffering. -
USA declares war on Germany
America's joining the war heralded the end for Germany, though the end did not fully come, as Germany launched a full offensive to end the war before America could join. However, this did not succeed and America joined in the final push against Germany
