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.