The First World War, 1914–1918 RULES BOOKLET · The First World War, 1914–1918 the
World War 1 World War 1 started in August 1914 after tension had been building in Europe for the...
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Transcript of World War 1 World War 1 started in August 1914 after tension had been building in Europe for the...
World War 1
•World War 1 started in August 1914 after tension had been building in Europe for the last 30 years
•Most of the fighting took place in Belgium and France
•World War 1 was stated to be the war that 'would be over by Christmas.' However it dragged on for four long years of bloody stalemate
1914• Germany invades
Belgium• Britain declares war
on Germany• Japan joins the Allied
forces: Ottoman Empire soon joins the Central Powers
• War spreads to the seas
1915• Women take up men's
jobs• Stalemate continues
on the Western Front• The Lusitania
passenger liner is sunk, with 1,200 lives lost
• London attacked from the air by German Zeppelins
1916• Conscription for men aged
between 18 and 41 is introduced• A million casualties in ten months:
Germany aims to 'bleed France white'
1916: The Battle of the Somme•The Battle lasted from July 1st
1916- November 1916•On July 1st over 60,000 British
troops were killed• In the end over 1 million soldiers
were killed on all sides•The Allied troops gained only 6
miles
1917•German Army retreats to the
Hindenburg Line•United States joins the war and assists
the Allies•Tank, submarine and gas warfare
intensifies•Royal family change their surname to
from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor to appear more British
1918•Germany launches
major offensive on the Western Front
•Allies launch successful counter-offensives at the Marne and Amiens
•Armistice signed on November 11, ending the war at 11am
The Reporting of War•Newspapers described troops as
itching to go over the top•Government reported to the
press that life in the trenches promoted good health and clear air
•The public was not told about high death toll
The Realities of WarTrenches•Trenches dug from
English Channel to Switzerland
•6,250 miles•6 to 8 feet deep• Immobilized both
sides for 4 years
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zp3ncdm#zc2vd2p
The effects of the war on Poland:
Before WWI: World’s greatest power, largest colonial empire. Primary concern – increasingly aggressive Germany. During WWI: Remains dominant at sea, keeping German navy in check. Instrumental in defeating Ottoman Empire in the Middle East. Substantially supports France along western front.
After WWI: Victorious, gains even more territory (especially in Middle East), but weakened due to high loss of life and financial damage. Experiences increasing difficulty in controlling its overseas empire. While distracted with WWI, Ireland begins Independence movement, leading to Irish Independence in 1921.
Before WWI: Like Netherlands, opted to remain neutral, as it did not have the military might to defend itself from either France or Germany.
During and After WWI: Invaded by Germany, as the most effective route for an invasion of France was through Belgium. Devastated by the Germans in WWI, and further damaged when Germany refused to pay war reparations after the war.
Before WWI: Most of Poland is a Russian client state, with other parts (due to Partition of Poland before Napoleonic Wars) subservient to Austria and Germany.
During and After WWI: Forced to fight against each other, as partition placed part of Poland on Allied side, and part on other side. Poland devastated during WWI, since it served as battleground, but gains independence upon conclusion of war.