Wars: World war i
On June 28, 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, next-in-line for the Austrian-Hungarian throne, and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. A month later, on July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia! By this point, Germany was already allies with Austria-Hungary, and Russia was allies with Serbia. Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914, invaded the neutral country of Belgium, and declared war on France on August 3, 1914. Britain demanded that Germany withdraw from the neutral country, but, after Germany refused, Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914.
The first major turning point battle of the war was the First Battle of the Marne. German forces were driving into northern France and Belgium, but then encountered Allied forces along the Marne, a river in France. This battle lasted from September 6, 1914 to September 12, 1914 and ended Germany's month long advance.
Another major turning point battle was the Battle of Verdun, which took place from February 21, 1916 to December 18, 1916. German troops attacked the French's town of Verdun in order to shatter the their lines. However, after ten months of fighting, French forces manage to stop German forces. This battle caused more than 700,000 casualties and was significant because it showed France's determination to hold their ground.
The Battle of Somme lasted from July to November 1916, and is known for its number of casualties. Just on the first day of fighting, Britain had over 57,470 casualties. By the end of this battle, Britain suffered approximately 420,000 casualties, the French suffered about 200,000, and Germany suffered about 500,000 casualties. This battle was important because it showed the true horror of the war: death.
Earlier, on May 7, 1915, a German U-boat sank the British's Lusitania, which was carrying 159 Americans. This concerned the United States, but they did not decide to join the war until 1917. British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from Germany to Mexico stating that they would give Mexico part of the U.S. if they helped Germany fight against the U.S. However, Britain did not show this telegram to to President Woodrow Wilson until February. The United States finally declared war on Germany and its allies on April 6, 1917.
The Battle of Cambrai took place from November 20 to December 6, 1917. At the beginning of the battle, the British made tremendous gains and caused the Germans to consider abandoning Cambrai. However, German reinforcements soon arrived and reclaimed nearly all the lost ground, therefore making the battle a draw. What makes this battle momentous was that it was the first time ever Britain made a successful use of tanks.
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive ended World War I and lasted from September 26, 1918 to November 11, 1918. American forces smashed into German lines and finally broke through on November 1, causing the Germans to retreat. Then, on November 5, American forces crossed the Meuse, a river the Germans were planning to use as a defensive line. The Germans were considering a temporary truce, but the Americans wanted a complete surrender, so they attacked mercilessly. World War I finally came to an end on November 11, 1918.
Total casualties for Allied Forces= about 22 million
Total casualties for Central Powers= about 15 million
The first major turning point battle of the war was the First Battle of the Marne. German forces were driving into northern France and Belgium, but then encountered Allied forces along the Marne, a river in France. This battle lasted from September 6, 1914 to September 12, 1914 and ended Germany's month long advance.
Another major turning point battle was the Battle of Verdun, which took place from February 21, 1916 to December 18, 1916. German troops attacked the French's town of Verdun in order to shatter the their lines. However, after ten months of fighting, French forces manage to stop German forces. This battle caused more than 700,000 casualties and was significant because it showed France's determination to hold their ground.
The Battle of Somme lasted from July to November 1916, and is known for its number of casualties. Just on the first day of fighting, Britain had over 57,470 casualties. By the end of this battle, Britain suffered approximately 420,000 casualties, the French suffered about 200,000, and Germany suffered about 500,000 casualties. This battle was important because it showed the true horror of the war: death.
Earlier, on May 7, 1915, a German U-boat sank the British's Lusitania, which was carrying 159 Americans. This concerned the United States, but they did not decide to join the war until 1917. British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from Germany to Mexico stating that they would give Mexico part of the U.S. if they helped Germany fight against the U.S. However, Britain did not show this telegram to to President Woodrow Wilson until February. The United States finally declared war on Germany and its allies on April 6, 1917.
The Battle of Cambrai took place from November 20 to December 6, 1917. At the beginning of the battle, the British made tremendous gains and caused the Germans to consider abandoning Cambrai. However, German reinforcements soon arrived and reclaimed nearly all the lost ground, therefore making the battle a draw. What makes this battle momentous was that it was the first time ever Britain made a successful use of tanks.
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive ended World War I and lasted from September 26, 1918 to November 11, 1918. American forces smashed into German lines and finally broke through on November 1, causing the Germans to retreat. Then, on November 5, American forces crossed the Meuse, a river the Germans were planning to use as a defensive line. The Germans were considering a temporary truce, but the Americans wanted a complete surrender, so they attacked mercilessly. World War I finally came to an end on November 11, 1918.
Total casualties for Allied Forces= about 22 million
Total casualties for Central Powers= about 15 million