World War I

World War I saw some of the bloodiest battles ever fought. Beginning in 1914 with the attack on Serbia, the battles of the World War I ranged across the world from the France to Africa to Russia. These massive battles made famous places such as Tannenberg, the Somme, Verdun, and Gallipoli.

The Battle of Tannenberg was fought in August 1914 during World War I. Taking place on the Eastern Front, the Battle of Tannenberg saw German forces under Gen. Paul von Hindenburg attack the Russians. In the fighting, the Germans won a stunning victory effectively destroying the Russian Second Army.

The First Battle of the Marne was fought September 6-12, 1914, during World War I. During the Battle of the Marne German forces drove into into northern France and Belgium before encountering Allied forces along the Marne. In the week-long Battle of the Marne, the Allies succeeded in halting the German advance.

The Battle of Gallipoli began when British Commonwealth and French troops landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula of Turkey adjacent to the Dardanelles. In a brutal campaign, Allied forces were unable to dislodge the Turks from Gallipoli's heights. After nearly a year of fighting they ended the fight and withdrew.

The Battle of Verdun was fought from February 21 to December 18, 1916, and was a key engagement of World War I. Attacking the French positions around Verdun, German troops initiated a grinding battle of attrition. By the time the Battle of Verdun ended, over 700,000 had been killed or wounded.

The Battle of the Somme was fought during World War I and lasted from July to November 1916. Attempting to draw German forces away from the Battle of Verdun, British forces battled to break through along a 12-mile front. When the fighting at the Somme ended, over 1.5 million casualties had been suffered.

The Zimmermann Telegram was sent in January 1917, by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann. It instructed them to seek a military alliance with Mexico if the United States entered the war on the side of the Allies. Intercepted by the British, who sent it to Washington, the Zimmerman Telegram helped draw the United States into the conflict.

The Battle of Caporetto was fought October 24-November 19, 1917, during World War I. A turning point on the Italian Front, Caporetto saw German and Austro-Hungarian troops shatter the Italian lines along the Isonzo River. Driving Italians back, they advanced as far as the Piave River before being halted.

The Battle of Cambrai was fought November 20-December 6, 1917, and saw British forces make the first successful use of tanks. Attacking towards Cambrai, the British initially made great gains causing the Germans to consider abandoning the town. Bringing reserves to Cambrai, German counterattacks recovered almost all of the lost ground.

The Fourteen Points were developed during World War I by President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson hoped the terms of his Fourteen Points, which stressed progressive ideas like self-determination and free trade, could serve as the basis for a peace agreement. The Fourteen Points were discussed and partially incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles.

The 1918 Battle of Amiens was an opening battle of the Allies' Hundred Days' Offensive. Attacking east of Amiens, Allied forces gained over seven miles on the first day. The Battle of Amiens was a decisive victory for the Allies and saw a return to mobile warfare.

Commencing on September 26, 1918, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive saw American forces attack the German lines with the goal of taking Sedan. Breaking through after a series of bloody assaults, American troops forced the Germans to withdraw. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive ended with the Germans agreeing to an armistice on November 11.