World war I: Timeline

Type :

Time lines

Pages :

20 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

06/03/2009

Category :

History & geography

Sub category :

Modern history

Oboulo.com selection criteria

$ 19.95 Add to cart

Summary :

Introduction
Preview
Time line 1914 CE
Time line 1915 CE
Time line 1916 CE
Time line 1917 CE
Time line 1918 CE
Time line 1919 CE
Time line 1920 CE
Time line: Post 1920 CE
Conclusion
Bibliography

Abstract

world war I, also known as the First world war, the Great war, the war of the Nations and the war to End All Wars, was a world conflict lasting from 1914 C.E. to 1919 C.E. Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey, called the Central Powers fought Britain, France and later U.S.A., called the Allies. No previous conflict had mobilized so many soldiers or involved so many in the field of battle. By the end of the war, more than 9 million people died on the battlefield and nearly 30 million on both the home fronts owing to food shortages, genocide, and ground combat. This war also witnessed large-scale air bombardments, trench warfare, the use of tanks and the use of chemical gas for the first time. This was also the first instance when large-scale civilian massacres took place, a feature of modern efficient, non-chivalrous warfare.
By the late 19th century, Europe had established dominance on the world. Countries like Britain and France established colonies all over the world whereas countries like Germany, Russia were looking for the opportunities to do the same. This led to an intense arms race the overall mood was survival of the fittest. In such a scenario, many European countries made alliances and treaties of collective defense in case of war. Such treaties also incorporated economic alliances. Germany made an alliance with Austria to counter the influence of France, and France retaliated by establishing an alliance with Russia.

The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian nationalist was the spark that ignited the volatile set up. Thanks to the prevailing system of treaties and alliances, the ensuing war between Austria and Serbia pulled in other countries. Germany upheld its alliance with Austria-Hungary and took the offensive against Serbia, Russia and France. To counter German military dominance, Britain entered the war taking side of her traditional enemy France.