WW1

World War 1

Timeline of WW1

1871 Creation of the German Empire under Kaiser William I and Otto von Bismarck
1873 Three Emperors' League established between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia
1874 First Balkan Crisis: Serbian revolt in Bosnia-Herzegovina
1878 Congress of Berlin
1879 Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary
1882 Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
1885 Second Balkan Crisis between Bulgaria an Serbia
1894 Russia concludes an alliance with France
1905 Development of the Schlieffen Plan in Germany
1907 Triple Entente between Great Britain, France, and Russia
1912 Third Balkan Crisis: Italy versus Turkey
1913 Third Balkan Crisis: Serbia and Bulgaria go to war
June 28 1914 Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo
July 28 1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
July 30-August 4 1914 France, Russia, Great Britain, and Germany declare war in accordance with alliance commitments and mobilize
August 1914 Germany invades Belgium; Battle of Tannenberg
September 6-10 1914 Battle of the Marne and beginning of Trench Warfare
April 1915-January 1916 Battle of Gallipoli
May 1915 Sinking of the Lusitania
Early 1916 Battle of Jutland
July 1916 Battle of the Somme
March 1917 February Revolution in Russia and Tsar Nicholas II abdicates; creation of the Provisional Government
April 2 1917 United States enters the war
November 1917 October Revolution and Bolsheviks overthrow the government
March 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and Russia withdraws
November 11 1918 Armistice Day and the end of the war

Home

Continued Timeline

28th Jun 1914
 Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austro-Hungarian empire, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. 
28th Jul 1914
 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia and Russia. 
29th Jul 1914
 Austria-Hungary invades Serbia but is repulsed. 
1st Aug 1914
 Outbreak of war. Germany declares war on Russia. 
2nd Aug 1914
 Germany invades Luxembourg. 
3rd Aug 1914
 Germany declares war on France. 
4th Aug 1914
 German forces invade Belgium in violation of a treaty signed by Prussia to respect Belgian neutrality. Britain declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. US President Woodrow Wilson declares policy of US neutrality  
14th Aug 1914
 Battle of the Frontiers begins. 
17th Aug 1914
 Russia invades East Prussia. 
19th Aug 1914
 Wilson appeals for neutrality. 
23rd Aug 1914
 Japan declares war on Germany. Austria-Hungary invades Russian Poland. 
26th Aug 1914
 Battle of Tannenberg begins. 
30th Aug 1914
 Russia loses the Battle of Tannenberg. This is Germany's greatest success of the war on Eastern Front  
Aug 1914
 Battle of Togoland. - The Pursuit of the Goeben and the Breslau. 
5th Sep 1914
 First Battle of the Marne begins. 
9th Sep 1914
 First Battle of the Masurian Lakes begins. 
10th Sep 1914
 First Battle of the Marne halts the German advance, resulting in stalemate and trench warfare. 
14th Sep 1914
 Russia loses the First Battle of Masurian Lakes. First Battle of Aisne begins. 
17th Sep 1914
 Austro-German forces launch an attack into western Poland  
Sep 1914
 Battle of Lemberg. 
14th Oct 1914
 First Battle of Ypres begins. 
29th Oct 1914
 Turkey enters the war on the side of the Central Powers. 
22nd Nov 1914
 First Battle of Ypres ends. 
Nov 1914
 Battle of Lodz. 
8th Dec 1914
 Battle of the Falkland Islands between British and German Naval units.. 
21st Dec 1914
 First German air raid on Britain 
25th Dec 1914
 Unofficial Christmas truce declared by soldiers along the Western Front  
   
1st Jan 1915
 Allied offensive in Artois and Champagne begins. 
15th Jan 1915
 Japan's makes 21 demands on China. 
19th Jan 1915
 First German zeppelin air raid on England. 
4th Feb 1915
 German U-boat begin attacks on Allied and neutral shipping as Germany declares a submarine blockade of England. 
7th Feb 1915
 Second Battle of Masurian Lakes begins. 
19th Feb 1915
 Allied amphibious attack is launched at Gallipoli on the Dardanelles. 
21st Feb 1915
 Russians lose the Second Battle of Masurian Lakes, suffering heavy loses in the process.  
1st Mar 1915
 The British liner Falaba, becomes the first passenger ship to be sunk by U-boats. 
11th Mar 1915
 Britain announces a blockade of all German ports. 
30th Mar 1915
 Allied offensive in Artois and Champagne ends. 
Mar 1915
 Battle of Neuve-Chapelle. 
22nd Apr 1915 
 Second Battle of Ypres starts. Germany uses poison gas for the first time. 
Apr 1915
 The Germans, focusing on Eastern Front, launch an offensive against the Russians breaking through Gorlice-Tarnow in Poland. 
5th May 1915
 Second Battle of Ypres ends. 
23rd Apr 1915
 Allied forces make landings an Gallipoli, Turkey. 
26th Apr 1915
 France, Russia, Italy and Britain conclude secret Treaty of London. 
2nd May 1915
 Austro-German offensive begins in Galicia. 
7th May 1915
 The British liner Lusitania is sunk by a U-Boat with the loss of American lives, creating a US-German diplomatic crisis. 
9th May 1915
 Second Battle of Artois begins. 
23rd May 1915
 Ignoring treaty agreements with the Central Powers, Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary. 
25th May 1915
 British Prime Minister Asquith reorganises his Liberal government as a coalition of the parties. 
29th June 1915
 The Italians launch an unsuccessful attack against Austro-Hungary at what will be called the 1st Battle of Isonzo. There will be 12 in total. 
May 1915
 Battle of Gorlice-Tarnow. 
 Aug 1915
 The Germans end their offensive against the Russians having forced Russia out of much of Poland. 
 Aug 1915
 The Gallipoli debacle ends, with the Turkish siege of the remaining Allied forces  
30th Aug 1915
 Responding to American demands, Germany stops sinking ships without warning. 
5th Sep 1915
 Tsar Nicholas takes commands of Russian armies. 
22nd Sep 1915
 The Second Battle of Champagne begins  
Sep 1915
 Battles of Artois starts. Battle of Loos starts. 
3rd Oct 1915
 Anglo-French force lands at Salonika in Greece. 
Oct 1915
 Battles of Artois & Champagne ends. Battle of Loos ends. Austro-German-Bulgarian forces invade Serbia, expelling the Serbian army from the country 
7th Dec 1915
 David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister of Britain. 
19th Dec 1915
 Sir Douglas Haig replaces Sir John French as commander of British Expeditionary Force. 
28th Dec 1915
 The Allies begin the withdrawal of troops from Gallipoli. 
   
21st Feb 1916 
 The Germans launch an attack on Verdun in what is the longest battle of the war. 
9th Mar 1916 
 Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus, New Mexico. 
24th Mar 1916 
 French passenger ship, Sussex, torpedoed. 
24th Apr 1916 
 Easter rebellion starts in Ireland. 
Apr 1916 
 British forces in Mesopotamia begin advance on Baghdad. 
4th May 1916 
 Germany renounces submarine policy. 
19th May 1916 
 Britain and France conclude Sykes-Picot agreement. 
31st May 1916 
 Battle of Jutland begins. 
May 1916 
 Trentino Offensive begins. 
1st Jun 1916
 Having been the biggest naval battle in history, the battle of Jutland ends without a clear victor. 
4th Jun 1916
 The Russians launch their Brusilov Offensive in Carpathia. 
5th Jun 1916
 With British support (led by T.E. Lawrence), Hussein, grand sherif of Mecca, leads an Arab revolt against the Turks in the Hejaz. 
Jun 1916
 Trentino Offensive ends. 
1st Jul 1916
 Start of the Battle of the Somme, with the British military suffering its greatest number of casualties in a single day, 60,000. 
29th Jul 1916
 US marines land in Haiti. 
Aug 1916
 Romania enters the war on the Allies side. 
31st Aug 1916
 Germany suspends U-boat attacks.  
15th Sep 1916
 Tanks introduced for the first time on the Somme battlefield by the British. 
20th Sep 1916
 Russia's Brusilov offensive in Carpathia comes to an end, having nearly knocked Austria-Hungary out of the war. 
15th Oct 1916
 Germany resumes U-boat attacks. 
7th Nov 1916
 Woodrow Wilson is re-elected in the USA. 
18th Nov 1916
 Battle of the Somme ends. 
28th Nov 1916
 The First German airplane (as opposed to zeppelin) air-raid is conducted on Britain 
29th Nov 1916
 US occupation of Santa Domingo proclaimed. 
7th Dec 1916
 David Lloyd George replaces Asquith as British Prime Minister. 
12th Dec 1916
 Germany issues peace note suggesting a compromise peace. 
18th Dec 1916
 German attack on Verdun ends, with the French holding their positions, with great losses to both sides. US President Woodrow Wilson requests statements of war objectives from warring nations in peace note. 
31st Dec 1916
 Rasputin is murdered. 
   
22nd Jan 1917
 "Peace without Victory." speech by President Wilson. 
1st Feb 1917
 Unrestricted submarine warfare declared by Germany, again. 
24th Feb 1917
 The Sinking of the Laconia. 
15th Mar 1917
 Tsar Nicholas abdicates. 
2nd Apr 1917
 President Woodrow Wilson asks the House of Representatives to declare war on Germany. 
6th Apr 1917
 United States declares war on Germany entering the First World War. 
16th Apr 1917
 Chemin des Dames Offensive begins. 
29th Apr 1917
 Chemin des Dames Offensive ends. 
Apr 1917
 Battle of Arras & Vimy Ridge.  
Apr 1917
 Nivelle Offensive. 
Jun 1917
 Battle of Messines. 
6th Jul 1917
 Aquaba captured by Arabs led by T.E.Lawrence. 
16th Jul 1917
 Third Battle of Ypres begins. 
6th Aug 1917
 Aleksander Fyodorovich Kerensky appointed Prime Minister of Russia. 
Oct 1917 
 Battle of Caporetto. 
7th Nov 1917
 Kerensky's government overthrown by Bolsheviks. 
10th Nov 1917
 British reach Passchendaele. Third Battle of Ypres ends. 
Nov 1917 
 Battle of Cambrai. 
3rd Dec 1917
 German-Russian armistice. 
9th Dec 1917
 Jerusalem captured by British. 
   
8th Jan 1918
 President Wilson delivers his fourteen points speech to the Congress. 
3rd Mar 1918
 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed by Soviet Russia and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey). 
15th Mar 1918
 Soviets ratify the Brest-Litovsk Treaty. 
Mar 1918
 Ludendorff Offensive begins. 
Apr 1918
 Zeebruggge Raid. 
16th May 1918
 Espionage Act 
Jun 1918
 Ludendorff Offensive ends. 
Jun 1918
 Piave Offensive starts. 
16th Jul 1918
 Bolsheviks murder Tsar Nicholas and his family. 
17th Jul 1918
 Archangel expedition 
Jul 1918
 Piave Offensive ends. 
29th Sep 1918 
 Allies break through the Hindenberg Line. 
Sep 1918
 Battle of Megiddo begins. 
Sep 1918
 St. Mihiel Offensive. 
Sep 1918 
 Battle of Meuse-Argonne starts. 
28th Oct 1918
 German sailors mutiny. 
Oct 1918
 Battle of Megiddo ends. 
5th Nov 1918
 Allies accept the fourteen points. 
9th Nov 1918
 Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates. 
10th Nov 1918
 German republic founded. 
11th Nov 1918
 World War I ends. Central Powers are forced to annul the Brest-Litovsk Treaty. 
Nov 1918
 Battle of Meuse-Argonne ends. 
   
10th Jan 1919
 Communists begin a revolt in Berlin. 
15th Jan 1919
 The revolt by Communists in Berlin is crushed. 
18th Jan 1919
 Start of peace negotiations in Paris. 
25th Jan 1919
 Peace conference accepts principle of a League of Nations. 
6th Feb 1919
 German National Assembly meets in Weimar. 
14th Feb 1919
 Draft covenant of League of Nations completed. 
6th May 1919
 Peace conference disposes of German colonies. 
7th May 1919
 Treaty of Versailles is drafted. 
21st Jun 1919
 German High Seas Fleet scuttled at Scapa Flow. 
28th Jun 1919
 Treaty of Versailles is signed. 
19th Jul 1919
 The Cenotaph is unveiled in London.

World War 1 Notes

World War One

I. CAUSES OF THE GREAT WAR
A. Economic
Imperialism at home and abroad - In one generation 
Africa - direct possession (1902: only Liberia, founded by former American slaves remains independent) 
Asia and Near East: economic and diplomatic pressure 
Economic concessions and extra-territorial privileges: Ottoman Empire - most vulnerable; China - most vulnerable; Japan - modernizing rapidly; India - firmly in British hands; 
Importance to Europe: keeps fat on European economy; colonial rule a reproach to democracy; encouraged feelings of national and racial superiority; 
"Pan" movements - a form of imperialism 
Technology and science: materialism 
B. Social
Human welfare: serfdom gone (except in Russia); surgery and anesthetics perfected; life span longer; Victorian middle class morality in decline; spread of literacy. 
Peace movements: "pipe dream of peace". 
Aristocratic remainders. 
Neglect of the proletariat. 
C. Intellectual
1. European cultural heritage

2. Ideologies of progress: 
conservatism - delaying action not progress (aristocracy) 
liberalism - freedom, law, representative government (upper middle class) 
radicalism - remove class distinctions, anti-clerical (lower middle class) 
socialism - collectivist doctrine (city workers) 
new left - syndicalism 
D. Political
1. the nation-state: language and race

2. parliamentary government

3. parties: 
tied to class and ideology 
lack of responsibility 
too many of them 
4. Differing forms

separation of powers only in the USA 
king or president a figurehead in Britain and France 
search for majorities in parliament 
Britain: the cabinet held the whip 
France and Italy: parliament held the whip 
5. Extension of the suffrage

6. Exceptions to democratization 
Germany: only has external form of it, the Reichstag is a "debating chamber" 
Austria-Hungary: maintaining monarchy in polyglot confusion 
Russia: a struggle between Duma and Ministry 
E. Military
1. popular militarism 
Boer War 
naval building race: Admiral Tirpitz - risk theory 
Three-year army law: France 1913 
Tripoli campaign in Italy, 1911 
2. Comparative figures on army increase, 1870-1914: 
                   1870         1914

Russia            700,000     1,300,000
France            380,000       846,000
Germany           403,000       812,000
Austria-Hungary   247,000       424,000
Britain           302,000       381,000
Italy             334,000       305,000
Japan              70,000       250,000
U.S.A.             37,000        98,000
3. military expenditure 
Germany and Russia had the largest budgets in 1914 
Britain and Germany spent most per capita: 
Germany $8.52 
Britain $8.53 
U.S.A. $0.32 
F. Diplomatic
1. Alliance System 
1870 - 1890: Bismarck in control 
1890 - 1907: balance against Germany 
2. Testing the system 
Russo-Japanese War, 1904-5 
First Morocco Crisis, 1905-6 
Bosnian Annexation Crisis, 1908 
Second Morocco Crisis, 1911 
Haldane Mission, 1912 
3. Tensions in the Balkans 
Hapsburg Empire in turmoil 
South Slav Problem 
First Balkan War, 1912-13 
Second Balkan War, 1913

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. THE CONDUCT OF THE GREAT WAR
A. THE WAR: 1914-1916
1. The Western Front
The Schlieffen Plan (enveloping movement) - failed. It was modified by Moltke which weakened the important right wing; furthermore, the French General Staff under Joffr� recovered. This led to the First Battle of the Marne (Sept. 5-12) which totally wrecked the plan. The only thing left to do was to retreat to Aisne. A race to the sea then took place. Of course, Plan17 of the French also failed, as it was bound to. 
2. The Eastern Front
Two Russian armies invade, one attacks East Prussia striking north from Poland and another strikes south against Austria-Hungary from Poland. But Hindenburg and Ludendorff defeat the Russians in East Prussia at the Battle of Tannenberg (August 25-30) and the Battle of the Masurian Lakes (September 4-10). This ended the threat of invasion by Russia. But the Russians win victories against the Austrians and take Galicia with fearful losses. Meanwhile the Germans counter-attack in Poland. By the end of 1914 the Russian campaign is at a standstill.

In 1915 the German offensive takes Warsaw and Vilna, delivering 1,000,000 casualties to the Russian. Another Russian offensive in 1916 (Brusilov) is no longer a serious menace to Central Powers. 
3. The Balkans
Three invasions of Serbia by Austria-Hungary unsuccessful: 1914 
Turkey moves over to Central Powers 
In 1915 after Bulgarians join Central Powers Serbia felled by General von Mackensen 
Dardennelles campaign of the British fails (1915-1916) - so Black Sea is still cut off 
4. Italy
1915 (early) joins Allies - promised Trentino and Trieste 
Little military importance - few resources, bad army 
Trench warfare on Italian-Austro-Hungarian frontier 
5. The War at Sea
British navy blockade cut communication and shipping 
British seize German colonies in Africa 
British establish communication through Mediterranean with Balkans 
This situation drove Germany in desperation to submarine which brought in the U.S.A. 
Protection of supplies and soldiers from Canada and the U.S. to Europe 
6. German Submarines
Fleet bottled up - so use submarine 
"war zone" around the British Isles (1915) - will sink all merchant vessels 
Lusitania is sunk in May 1915: loss 1,200 lives (100 Americans) 
Sussex is sunk in April 1916: U.S. ultimatum - resulted in cessation for a year - U.S. opinion drifted against the Central Powers 
B. THE WAR: 1916
1. Verdun and the Somme 
Germans attempt to bleed France to death by capturing Verdun (February - July) 
Germans are beaten back by P�tain 
British attack on the Somme (July - November) 
Losses for two battles: Allies - 950,000 + Germans - 785,000 = 1,735,000 
The result was a war of attrition 
2. Russia and Rumania 
Russian offensive to relieve Verdun 
Victory over Austrians at Lutsk - take Bukovina 
German reinforcements stop them from further advances 
Rumania joins the Allies but Mackensen with help from Turks and Bulgars takes Rumania 
Thus Germans get wheat and oil 
C. THE WAR: 1917 - The Critical Year
1. Western Front 
Nivelle offensive to break through trenches: great loss of life; open mutiny in places 
Defeatism in England, France and Germany - no decision; economic hardship 
2. Entrance of the U.S.A. in April 1917 
German resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare February 1 
German propaganda and sabotage swings public opinion 
U.S. economy involved in Allied cause 
Security of U.S. and civilization threatened - "make the world safe for democracy" 
Germany: new submarine pressure - April to June 1917 
Germany: great spring offensive in 1918 
Yet, U.S. entrance the great turning point of the war 
3. Withdrawal of Russia 
Terrible military defeats since 1914 
Corruption and incompetence of Tsar's bureaucracy 
March Revolution - Kerensky tries to carry on the war 
Army is disintegrating 
November Revolution - Bolsheviks seize power under Lenin 
"No annexations and no indemnities" - policy of new government 
Crushing Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918) 
4. The Russian Revolutions

In the March Revolution 
Nicholas ignored demands of parties and nationalities during early defeats 
decreed Duma dissolved and forbade strikes 
Petrograd Soviet is established 
Nicholas abdicated in favor of Grand Duke Michael (brother) 
a bourgeois liberal provisional government under Prince Lvov plans reform and a constituent assembly to draw up constitution 
In the November Revolution

Attempt to establish democratic middle class regime hampered by numerous national groups; lack of popular enthusiasm; a proletariat which wanted social and economic reforms 
Soviets are formed 
Discipline in army becomes lax 
Bolsheviks demand peace and force resignation of Prime Minister Milyukov 
Socialists and Kerensky try to guide provisional government 
Opposition of Constitutional Democrats, Bolsheviks and reactionaries is too great 
Bolsheviks increase in power (Lenin's return in April turns the scale) 
General Kornilov attempts a military coup 
First attempt of Bolsheviks to seize power fails 
"Red Guard" overthrows the Provisional Government and Bolsheviks gain control of National Congress of Soviets 
Political revolution of March is superceded by economic and social revolution of November 
D. THE WAR AND THE ARMISTICE: 1918
1. The Final German Effort 
March - July - create pockets in allied lines 
800,000 casualties for French and British 
Ludendorff destroys the German army and the Allies hold on 
Americans tilt the balance - bring in 100,000 troops - second Battle of the Marne - Chateau Thierry 
Unity of command under Foch 
2. Failure of the Submarine 
In 1917: Germans destroyed shipping faster than it could be rebuilt 
Purpose: starve England before U.S. help counted 
Convoy system saved the day 
3. Allied success in the Near East 
Allenby takes Jerusalem in December 1917 
Turks forced out of Asia Minor in 1918 
Allied forces move up from Salonika against Bulgaria in September 1918 - surrender follows 
Whole German southeast began to crumble 
4. Breakdown in Germany 
Shortage of food and fuel 
Failure of Ludendorff's offensive 
Austria-Hungary on the brink of revolution 
Foch drives German army back in the West 
German soldiers on the Eastern Front infected with Bolshevism 
Fourteen Points of President Wilson convince Germans that the war is lost and that peace had to be made 
5. Armistice 
September 29, 1918: army informs the government that the war is lost and demands an armistice 
Allied conditions made resumption of the war impossible : surrender of military supplies; evacuation west - Rhine territory; food blockade to continue 
Armistice accepted on November 11 (11:00 am) at Compi�gne 
E. PEACEMAKING: 1919
1. Wilson is the dominant figure 
Paris chosen at French insistence: triumph and revenge 
Allies grudgingly accept his Fourteen Points as basis for negotiation 
Once war is won Allies return to nationalistic policies 
War only lately defined as a war for democracy 
Thus a contest between old and new (Wilson's) nationalism 
League was Wilson's favorite theme - willing to make sacrifices for it 
What Wilson wanted most Republicans wanted least 
Wilson's absence for one month - made treaty a hasty piece of work 
2. Organization

a. Plenary session - January 18, 1919 - after that rare

b. Work done in committees 
Usual diplomatic horse-trading; 
Slanted pleas; 
France and Britain bring diplomats; 
Wilson brings professors and Colonel House 
c. Council of Ten : Big Four (George, Clemenceau, Wilson, Orlando) and Big Three :

- Lloyd George 
prisoner of his supporters : Tory nationalists; dominion prime ministers 
"Khaki Election" of December 1918 
- Clemenceau 
refuses to budge from bedrock demands 
on homeground - gives him an advantage 
patriot and realist (50 years of political experience) 
demand: security from German invasion 
Foch and "natural" frontier 
- Wilson 
the idealistic leader 
he is operating without a mandate

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. THE CHARACTER OF THE GREAT WAR
A. The character of the the conflict
comparison with World War II: the prelude to total war 
"stacked the cards for the future" 
B. The early illusions
brevity expected 
cash and casualties 
quick victory 
Russian manpower vs. German technical excellence? 
dominance of th sea vbs. central communicatins system? 
superficially Entente looked strongest 
at first fate rested with France 
Austria and Russia slow and disorganized 
Germany: aristocratic weakness 
French democracy an asset in the end 
C. The failure of strategy and of military technique
unprecedented in its brungling and wasteful character 
deadlock reached by end of 1914 - no more than 10-mile shift in front line in 3 years 
great surprise: trench warfare (a collosal siege) 
the French concept of "attack!" and the German Schlieffen Plan 
D. Psychological shocks and attrition of morale
revulsion follows early enthusiasm 
first 16 month: 600,000 French dead 
first year one half of French families received the "telegram" 
Germany never returned to normal 
Russian generals squandered lives recklessly 
E. The Balance Sheet
1. Ten to thirteen million dead: 
Germany : 2,000,000 
  Russia : 1,750,000 
  France : 1,500,000 
  Britain : 1,000,000 
  Italy : 500,000 
  America : 100,000
2. Twenty million are wounded

3. France is devastated

4. Vienna and Berlin near starvation

5. Influenza, typhus, cholera took millions

6. Social revolution in Central and Eastern Europe

Check out the WW2 Section!

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws