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Before WWI, several alliances were already made due to growing tensions and mistrust between nations. The alliance system was intended to reassure one another and preserve peace: I have your back, and you mine. This meant that if one nation had conflict, its allies would have to help. Two major alliances were formed: The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria, Italy) and the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia). Both were formed in a similar condition to 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.'
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With weapons technology advancing, particularly that of guns, soldiers needed a way to protect themselves on-field. The easier way was to dig down into the ground-- A trench. These would become a place where bodies and junk of war collected to rot. -
Radio Communications have been used since before the war began, but they were too inconvenient to carry around. However, soldiers relied heavily on it, and so development began. They used field radios, then installed telephone poles and telegraphs, and eventually wireless communication was being considered. While wired communications were still primary, and there were risks involved, it wasn't worth taking them down as the positives were greater. -
After the failed attack on Marne, the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg line to maintain position, and it bought them time as well. The nations of the Triple Entente formed a plan of their own: One would draw German troops away, while the other attacked directly. It worked at first, but German resistance halted the attack. From there, it was a constant back and forth of attacking and repelling, gains and losses. During this period, they also witnessed the potential of offence-based operations.
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During the Second battle of Ypres, poison gas made its debut. Invented by Fritz Haber, it was primarily used to instill fear (and placebo effects) into soldiers, as gas masks developed and decreased its usefulness. Usage of it was banned by the Geneva Protocol, but it was only adhered to by countries that viewed it as impractical. Some areas still use it, such as in the Syrian civil war. -
The event that is widely agreed to have sparked the 'real beginning' of WWI. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, had visited Sarajevo with his wife Sophie. However, they were assassinated by a Serbian on this trip. Due to already high tensions between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, the latter used this assassination as justification to threaten Serbia. Following this assassination, Austria extended an ultimatum to Serbia. -
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Following the ultimatum that Austria had presented to Serbia, which the former rejected negotiations on, Austria had declared war on Serbia. However, this war wouldn't be contained to just these two countries.
The alliances that had been built beforehand meant that if one of the nations got involved, the allied nations would have to assist. Russia wanted to defend a fellow Slavic country (Serbia), Germany was with Austria-Hungary, and eventually more nations got dragged in due to alliances. -
German forces had advanced on France, intending to get a quick victory so they could focus on the East, where Russia was. While it did seem like Germany's plan would work, having advanced to the capital, the combined forces of France and Britain (Triple Entente) successfully pushed German forced back. This prevented Germany's plan from succeeding, scattering their forces between East and West.
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The Lusitania was a ship that was ferrying passengers from the USA to England. However, on its path, it was shot by a German submarine, killing a number of its passengers. Many in the US viewed it has a blatant attack, and had impacted the public's opinion on Germany drastically. While it was swiftly drowned out by other more recent news, it - at least its impact towards the public's opinion of Germany - was one of the contributing factors towards the USA's joining into WWI later on. -
Many of the Russian citizens were not happy with Russia's participation in WWI, and in Feb of 1917, many workers revolted against the rule of Czar Nicholas II. The royals' loss of power was cementified once the Czar abdicated in March (and the Romanov's execution), and two groups came to fill that power vacuum. The Duma took over 'officially', but didn't end the war. Lenin, an exile, returned and was unsatisfied with the state of the country, and called for a 2nd revolution against the Duma. -
Lenin led the Bolsheviks in their revolution, and they successfully took control of Russia. They fought for "Peace, Land, Bread," but when soldiers returned home after they quit the war, they had no resources to sustain them (lack of war to support factory jobs, farmers lacked incentive to grow for others, etc.). This eventually led to the Russian Civil War. -
Based off of Elmer and Lawrence Sperry's gyrostabilizers, Archibald Low invented what would be known as 'Aerial Torpedoes.' They were drones that would hold and 'deliver' explosives to fortified enemies. It took off for its first flight in March of 1917, but proved too unstable to use reliably. However, development continued. -
Initially, President Woodrow Wilson had a policy of neutrality towards WWI, which many citizens supported. However, despite this, they preferred being ready for war in case they were to participate, meaning they had begun preparing before joining was even an idea. Citizens also favored those of the Entente over the Alliance. The opinions began to change following the Lusitania's sink, and when Germany resumed attacking neutral ships, it led to war on Germany with agreement from the majority. -
With the additional help of the US' supplies and assistance, Britain and France's offensive prowess increased. The US' economic and military contribution was integral to the war, and their joining had spurred other Western nations into participating as well. German defenses were eventually broken, and an armistice was requested.
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Following their forces collapse, Germany requested an armistice from the opposing nations. They were then given terms that were intended to be drastic as to prevent further conflict with Germany (demilitarization, evacuation of occupied areas, releasing POWs, etc.). After Kaiser Wilhelm II's abdication, the armistice was settled, and the war began its close.