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Two military conflicts which lead the Ottoman Empire to lose nearly all of their territory in Europe. The first conflict was between the Balkan league -- Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Montenegro -- and the Ottoman Empire. The Balkan League League were victorious in this war, causing the Ottoman Empire to lose nearly all of their European territory. The Second Balk War Serbia, Greece, and Romania fought with Bulgaria over the division of Macedonia. (Britannica 2023) -
Abbreviated for Unterseeboot, German U-boats terrorized the Atlantic ocean. Germany was the first country to use submarines in war. Although there were only 38 U-boats, they were very successful against British warships. In April 1917, 430 Allied and neutral ships were sunk. Although the use of U-boats proved very successful, they began to attack civilian and merchant ships which brought America into the war.(Britannica 2023) -
When the war began the radio was still a new invention. Radios were short range and faced lots of interference. The radios were heavy and bulky, making them difficult to carry in battle. America created a "horse-pack set" to carry a hand generator and radio on horses, which were the main source of equipment transportation. Although not as reliable as wire phones or telegraphs, the radio was useful at sea, being able to relay news to ships at sea. (Digital Public Library of America 2023) -
Numerous types of grenades were used in WW1. Concussive, frag, gas, smoke, and illuminating grenades were all used in WW1. They were made from brass, iron, steel, wood, and cardboard. Many nations weren't prepared for the use of grenades and didn't produce them. French and British soldiers would produce their own using can, stones, shrapnel, and explosives. Over time, the grenade would evolve and grow into more advanced versions. (National WWI Museum and Memorial 2023) -
Used by the German army, flamethrowers terrorized French and British troops. German troops used two types of flamethrowers, the kleinflammenwerfer and grossflammenwerfer. The first type was a more portable version that could be used by a single person. The second type required two people, one person holding the gas tank and the other aiming where the fire goes. Although they struck fear into enemies, they were short ranged because their operators were vulnerable to gunfire. (Duffy 2009) -
Phosgene was a chemical weapon used in the war. One of the three chemicals used in the war, phosgene was the deadly. Six times more deadly than chlorine gas and much stealthier, phosgene would deliver a fatal dose before soldiers even knew it was used. After a couple of days affected soldier's lungs would fill with liquid, causing them to suffocate to death. Phosgene was responsible for 85% of chemical weapon deaths in WW1. (Everts 2015) -
Franz Ferdinand was in the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was visiting as inspector general of the imperial army. An assassin threw a grenade at their car which bounced off and hit the car and officers behind them. After finishing the planned reception at city hall, Franz Ferdinand wanted to visit the injured officers. On the way to the hospital the driver made a wrong turn and ended up next to one of the assassins who shot Franz Ferdinand and his wife. (Britannica 2023) -
Unrest between countries was growing and a war was brewing. All they needed was a reason to go to war. That reason appeared when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire made up the central powers. Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Canada, Japan, and the US made up the allied powers. His death began a world wide conflict that would last 4 years and claim the lives of over 16 million people. (History 2023) -
The Gallipoli Campaign was an unsuccessful campaign by the Allied Powers against Turkish forces. The goal of this campaign was to control the sea routes from Europe to Russia. The British and French ships failed an attack on the Dardanelles Straits. The campaign continued with a land invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula. A lack of intelligence, on both the Turkish military and terrain, the British, French, and Australian and New Zealand Army Corps had to retreat. (History 2022) -
Germany attacks the civilian ship Lusitania with a U-Boat. Germany had previously warned all Atlantic ships of potential submarine attacks. Germany considered the Lusitania a British enemy ship. When sunk, the Lusitania held 159 Americans. This attack further pressured America to join the war. (Library of Congress 2023) -
The longest battle in modern history. Germany wanted to crush the French army. Without the French the Allies wouldn't be able to fight on the Western Front. Five days into battle, Germany captures the largest of the 19 forts protecting Verdun. After the Battle of Somme began, German forces in Verdun were reduced and the French army seized their opportunity. After using new tactics, 10 months, and 700k+ deaths from both sides, the battle ends in victory for the French. (Imperial War Museums 2023) -
A joint operation between Britain and France. This battle was intended to achieve a decisive victory over the Germans. On the first day of battle over 57000 British troops died. This makes it the single most deadliest day of WW1. The battle lasted for 141 in which Britain advanced seven miles and, although the Allies won, they faced countless tragedies. (Imperial War Museums 2023) -
British cryptographers intercept and decrypt a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann. The telegram was to German ministers in Mexico. Germany was offering US land to Mexico in exchange for helping the central powers. Britain presents this message to the US. This message helped bring the US into the war. (National Archives 2021) -
On April 2, 1917, US President Woodrow Wilson holds a session of Congress. The purpose of this meeting was to declare war against Germany. He states that Germany violated their pledge to stop unrestricted submarine warfare. He also stated that Germany attempted to make Mexico an ally and attack the US. Two days after declaring war against Germany, the US Declares war against Germany's ally Austria-Hungary. (Office of the Historian 2023) -
Ethnic minorities were unhappy with the corruption and inefficiency of the imperial government and wanted out. Peasants, workers, and soldiers, rose up after WW1. The Bolsheviks overthrew the government and were placed in power. -
Following the revolution, Germany took this as an opportunity to remove Russia from the war. The Bolsheviks were a group that opposed the war. During the Tsar's reign, most of the Bolsheviks leaders, including Vladmir Lenin, were exiled to Switzerland. Germany helped the exiled leaders return to Russia and allowed them to take power. Lenin signed a treaty with Germany where they had to give up 30% of their land to Germany or continue to face attacks. (Facing History & Ourselves 2017) -
The first major conflict involving American troops. This battle was a part of the German offensives. French and American soldiers were forced to defend their positions from the Germans. The American 3rd Division was mobilized to a bridge on the Marne River which the Germans attacked. The French and American soldiers were able to stand their ground and counter attack, forcing the Germans to retreat and securing an important victory for the Allied forces. (Beck 2021) -
The final allied offensive of WW1. The battle lasted 46 days and helped bring an end to the war. It was the largest operation of the AEF with over one million American soldiers. This offensive resulted in the death of over 26000 soldiers killed in action and over 120000 casualties. It is the deadliest campaign in American history. (The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration 2023) -
Following the collapse of the German army and their allies, Germany requested an armistice. The allied forces ignored U.S. president Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points for Peace in their negotiations. The conditions of the armistice made it impossible for Germany to continue fighting. The conditions included complete demilitarization, evacuation of France, Belgium, and Alsace-Lorraine, and releasing all allied prisoners of war and civillians. (National WW1 Museum and Memorial 2023) -
The Treaty of Versailles is one of the treaties that officially ended the war. It outlined the conditions of peace between Germany and the Allied powers. The other central powers had to sign other treaties. The treaty forced Germany to take war guilt or all the blame for the war. They had to reduce their land, military, and forces and had to pay reparations to the Allies. (Kirtland 2023) -
The League of Nations was the first intergovernmental organization established to promote cooperation and peace between nations. It is considered the predecessor of the United Nations. Its founding document, the Covenant of the League of Nations, was drafted during the peace negotiations following the end of WW1. The League wanted peaceful ways to settle disputes between nations. By joining the League, nations agreed to follow international laws and reduce armaments. (United Nations 2023)