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Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated
Many consider this the beginning of WW1. The asassination took place while the Archduke was going back to assist the wounded because of another assassination attempt on him just before. The attack was coordinated by a group known as the Black Hand, a secret Serbian Nationalist Secret Society, the assassin who killed the Archduke was a Serbian named Gavrilo Princip.
(Picture is of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand) -
Austria declares War on Serbia
The Austrian government blamed Serbia for the assassination of the heir to their throne, Austria declared war on Serbia only a month after the assassination.
(Picture is of the flag of Austria) -
Germany declares War on Russia
Honoring their alliance with Austria, Germany declared war on Serbia's ally Russia. -
Germany declares War on France
Germany declared war on France, because France declared they wouldn't stay neutral and threatened to take down Austria. German troops poured into Belgium in an attempt to shut down France, but they were held in Belgium for longer than anticipated.
(Picture is of the German flag at the time) -
Britain declares War
Because Germany didn't withdraw from Belgium. Britain declared war on Germany to protect Belgium, because if Germany were to take Belgium, Germany could easily invade Britain. Britain's declaration meant Australia would join as well, as Britains immediate Ally.
(Picture is of the proud flag of Britain) -
Japan declared war on Germany
Japan declared war on Germany because of it's alliance with Britain.
(Picture is of the Japanese flag) -
The battle of Tannenberg
An early battle between Russia and Germany. Began when the Russian's second army marched into Prussia and engaged the German's eigth army. It resulted in Russia suffering a heavy defeat as tens of thousands of men were killed and 125000 taken prisoner.
(Picture is of the Russian prisoners in the aftermath of the war) -
Battle of Masurian Lakes
Another defeat for the Russian army following the Battle of Tannenberg. German troop outnumbered the Russians 3 to 1. Over 100000 Russians were taken prisoner but the Russian first army was not defeated entirely.
(Picture is of Russian general Paul Von Rennenkampf) -
Turkey joins the Central Powers
Turkey joins the war and allies with the Central Powers, becuase of multiple reasons including the revenge on the BAlkans for their defeat in the Balkan war. They helped in a naval attack on Russia.
(Picture is of the Turkish Flag) -
Second Battle of Ypres
This Battle took place in the Flemish town of Ypres located in Western Belgium. First battle in which the Germans used Poison Gas to a great advantage. And it was extremely effective but it was figured out that a cloth covered in urine could filter the air and allow the user to breathe.
(Picture is of the ruined Ypres Market Square) -
Beginning of Gallipoli campaign
Began when France and Britain wanted to secure a sea route to Russia through catching Constantinople. Was considered the largest fail of the Allies, because the Ottoman empire managed to fend off numerous Allies attacks and forced them to withdraw.
(Picture is of French troops landing at Moudros) -
The sinking of Lusistania
The RMS Lusistania was a British Ocean Liner which was used to ferrry people and goods across the Atlantic ocean. At wartime, ocean travel was dangerous and the Lusistania was sunk by German U-Boats. Over 1900 people were on the Boat at the time of the sinking.
(Picture is an illustration of the Lusistania being sunk) -
Italy joins the War
Italy joins the war on the side of the Allies (Britain,France and Russia)
(Picture is of the Italian Flag) -
Battle of Verdun
One of the most major engagements of WW1, was fought between the French and Germany armies, an estimated 500000 French and 400000 German casualties.
(Picture is of the Fort of Douaumont before the battle, after the battle it was in ruin.) -
Naval Battle (Battle of Jutland)
First major Naval Battle of the war, the German's planned to take on the British naval force but ended up withdrawing as Britain knew of the German tactics and counter-attacked. The Germans quickly withdrew.
(Picture is of German Ship SMS Seydlitz, heavily damaged after the battle) -
Battle of Somme
A battle on the river Somme fought between British and German Armies, British wanted to breach German defence as they were mowed down by the strong willed Germans. There were in fact 3 battles fought near the river Somme this date is the start of the first.
(Picture is of the Hawthorn Ridge Mine) -
Aeroplane Raids on London
Aeroplane raid on London, Germany lead the attack in the hope of diverging the British army to the South-East.
(Picture is an illustration of the Gotha Bomber, one of the primary German bombers) -
USA declares war on Germany
The USA declared war on Russia in response to the sinking of the Lusistania, on which 159 of the 1900 passengers were American.
(Picture is of the United States Flag) -
Battle of Bullecourt
Australia's first attack on the Hindenberg line, was fought near Bullecort in France. Led to the wider British offensive known as the battle of Arras.
(Picture is of the Australian trenches near Bullecourt) -
Allies recover most of Belgium
By this time, the Allies (Britain, Russia, France, Italy, Montenegro and Japan) had recovered most of Germany occupied Belgium.
(Picture is of an illustration depicting the Allies and the Central Power's "Tug of War") -
Armistice established with Turkey
The Allies had pushed the Turkish army back enough for the Turkish to ask for an Armistice. The terms of the Armistice allowed the Allies to have access to the Dardenelles (A narrow strait in North Western Turkey).
(Picture is an overveiw of the Dardenelles) -
Armistice Signed.
At 11am, the Armistice was signed in France, bringing the war to an end.
(Picture is of a Newspaper Headline on the day)
