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One of the most significant technologies during this time was the machine gun. It had rapid firing speed with long shooting distance, allowing new strategies and effective defence. Poison gas was first used at this time. A chemical weapon introduced in 1917 was mustard gas, which would cause blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. Because of trenches, tanks were built to travel in wider trenches, trying to break the stalemate. -
The stalemate occurred because many military thinkers believed that defence had more advantages over offense. At the beginning, countries launched aggressive offensive, invading other countries, but the trench warfare and new weapons reinforced the stalemate. The front line extended from around 700 kilometers from Belgium coast, across France, to the border of Switzerland. -
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, was the spark of World War I. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir of the Austro-Hungarian throne, and this assassination was seen as a threat to the empire, leading to the beginning of World War I. “Some damn thing in the Balkans,” as a Bismarck quote. -
Since the countries were feared of others attacking their countries, alliances formed. In the same alliance, nations were guaranteed to support each other when one was at war. Therefore, as one country went into war with another, their alliances would likely also join the war. In World War I, it was a conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, but after their alliances joined the war, it escalated from a regional conflict to world war. -
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
Triple Entente: British, France, and Russia -
After the assassination of the Archduke, Austria issued an ultimatum to Serbia, and Serbia refused to agree to all of the demands. As a result, Austria declared war on Serbia. Russia, also with a large Slavic population, supported Serbia and started mobilization. Then, Germany declared war on Russia, and the alliances from both sides joined the war, and the major powers in Europe were at war at that time. -
To avoid fighting on two fronts with France and Russia, the Germans invaded Belgium and northeastern France, which were within 30 miles of Paris, wanting to knock out France. The battle took place in the Marne, and French and British forces defended Germans, pushing back the border. The first Battle of the Marne was the beginning of trench warfare. This battle ended on September 12, 1914. -
The Gallipoli Campaign was launched to attack Turkey through the Dardanelles Straits, aiming to knock Turkey out of the war to relieve the pressure on Russia. Allied troops landed at Helles and Anzac, but the Ottoman reinforcements quickly arrived. In August, the Allies launched a new offensive, landing at Suvla Bay, but they failed because of Turkish resistance. -
The German U-boat (U-20) sank the Lusitania, a British cruiser travelling from New York to Liverpool. The sinking of the Lusitania caused serious deaths, and these included 123 Americans. This was one of the factors that contributed to the entrance of America two years after WWI started. Many viewed the sinking as a pivotal point, starting a more brutal era of the war. -
As a result, the Allied troops were trapped in their beachheads under constant artillery fire. The campaign ended with a well-organized evacuation in January 1916, but the Allies had suffered over 220,000 casualties without success.
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The Battle of Jutland was the only major naval battle between Britain and Germany during World War I. It took place in the North Sea near Denmark and involved the main fleets of both nations. Although the British Royal Navy suffered heavier losses than Germany, the battle ended without a clear winner. -
However, the British maintained control of the North Sea, keeping Germany’s navy trapped in port for the rest of the war. In the end, the battle showed that while Germany could challenge Britain at sea, it couldn’t break Britain’s naval dominance.
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American institutions lent a large amount of money to their European Allies, so the result of the war would affect their economy. In addition, they produced military equipment not only for themselves, but also for France and Britain. -
Russia left WWI because of the losses caused, wartime policies, and protests that led to the February Revolution and abdication of Czar Nicolas II. As Germany eagerly wanted Russia to exit the war to focus on the western front, they sent Vladimir Lenin, who led the Bolsheviks, back to Russia. After the failure of the provisional government, the Bolsheviks became the new government and signed the Brest-Litovsk treaty to exit the war. -
The Zimmermann Telegram from Germany offered American territory to Mexico. After American President Woodrow Wilson discussed with the Cabinet, changing their policy from neutrality to entering the war, Aztec, an American steamship, was sunk by Germany, and it was voted to declare war on Germany. -
The U.S. joining the war enabled Germany to be defeated. Not only did the U.S. contribute economically, but also in military force. There were more than a million troops in Europe in 1918. The U.S. also had a large Navy, they focused on making destroyers and submarine chasers, protecting Allied ships from U-boats. Moreover, the U.S. declaration of war influenced other countries in the Western Hemisphere to join the war or break relations with Germany. -
Vimy Ridge is a place in northern France. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a part of the Arras Offensive, and it was the first time the four divisions of Canadian troops fought together under Major-General Arthur Currie, working with British Lieutenant-General Julian Byng. Before taking action, the troops practiced much and built 11 tunnels to move forward. -
They adopted a strategy, creeping barrage, for the artillery, bombing in the front for cover. After the Canadian reached the German’s trenches, they started fighting, pushing back 5 kilometers. On April 12, they successfully took over Vimy Ridge.
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After a long fight that was expected to end before Christmas in 1914 finally came to an end on November 11, 1918. In October, Ottoman Empire and allies stopped the fight in the Middle East with an armistice, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire also signed an armistice with Italy. In November, the collapse of the German army forced Germany to sign an armistice, and the war came to an end.
Won: France, Russia, the British Empire, Italy
Lost: Germany, Austro-Hungarian, Bulgarian, Ottoman Empires