“The War To End All Wars” “The Great One” “The Last of the Gentlemanly Wars” WWI 1914-1918

Causes Of WWI Militarism: European nations have gathered large amounts of new weapons and were building their military to numbers so large that a majority of their economy is now devoted to supporting military needs instead of private business. Imperialism: European nations are over taking weaker African and Asian nations. Soon the land has all been grabbed and Europeans begin to threaten each other if they don’t surrender some of their newly acquired lands abroad. Unchecked Alliances: Nations that typically were not allies began to form alliances, these alliances will grow so large that no one asked when will it stop and why are they together? Killing of Archduke Ferdinand: heir to the Austrian throne, Franz and Sophie are killing Bosnia by a terrorist group called “the Blackhand”, this causes alliances to avenge his death and once everyone jumps in WWI begins.

Death of Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand & Sophie Franz and Sophie are named the next Kaiser (king) of Austria. Not overly popular in Austria due to being a recluse, he goes around Europe meeting leaders and attempting to build alliances. While in Sarajevo, Bosnia there are multiple threats and attempts to kill him by a terror group from Serbia called “The Blackhand”, afraid to leave and hurt relations with the king of Bosnia he elects to stay and have dinner. On the way home someone starts to thrown grenades at his car and evasive maneuvers are taken to escape the city. Riding in a convertible car, Gavrillo Princip walks up to the car and fires multiple shots killing Sophie and mortally wounding Franz. Principe is instantly caught along with other terrorists involved, some are killed, some attempt to commit suicide and some get caught – they will be dealt with by Bosnian police ! Hearing the news, Germany mobilizes troops towards Bosnia to avenge the death of their friend Austria’s future king, France and England mobilize troops to protect and honor their treaty with Bosnia, WWI has officially started as alliances spin out of control.

Early Days of WWI June 28, 1914 - Gavrilo Princip assassinates Franz Ferdinand. July 28, 1914 - Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. August 2, 1914 - Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Germany sign a secret treaty of alliance. August 3, 1914 - Germany declares war on France. August 4, 1914 - Germany invades Belgium, leading Britain to declare war on Germany. August 10, 1914 - Austria-Hungary invades Russia.  Germany will assume the role of the leader of their alliance and enact the Schlieffen Plan

The Two Fronts of WWI (Theaters – Campaigns) The Western Front The Eastern Front

Fighting on the Western Front Battle of Mons – 1st battle of WWI Battle of the Marne – trenches and taxis to protect Paris Battle of Ypres – Germany uses Chlorine Gas Battle of Verdun – 1,000,000 dead Battle of the Somme – Tanks 2nd Battle of Ypres – Phosgene Gas 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendale) – Mustard Gas Battle of Chateau Thierry – Sometimes called the Ardenne, America now in the war

Fighting on the Eastern Front Battle of Tannenberg – Russia is defeated and almost gets out of the war The Gorlice-Tarnow Offensive Battle of Trentino – Italy switches sides Battle of Gallipoli & the Dardanelles – one of the biggest allied losses of war, turkey enters the war

The Christmas Truce On Christmas Eve 1914, soldiers from England and Germany were tired of killing each other ordered no fighting for one night in honor of Christmas, both lines stayed under cover in case it was a trap, but sang Christmas Carols across No Man’s Land. Christmas Day, soldiers from both sides shocked that the truce held overnight, emerged from their trenches and approached each other. Finding that neither side wanted to fight anymore, they exchanged Christmas gifts of booze, cigarettes and soveniers, and shared pictures of their families. In the early afternoon a soccer game started and both sides agreed to never fight again. Within hours, British generals hear of this event and immediately open fire on the troops from miles away