World War I Overview
Start here for an overview of World War I.
World War I 101: An Overview
World War I commenced in August 1914 after a series of events sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Initially arranged in two alliances, the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire), the war soon drew in numerous other countries and was fought on a global scale. The largest conflict in histo…
World War I commenced in August 1914 after a series of events sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Initially arranged in two alliances, the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire), the war soon drew in numerous other countries and was fought on a global scale. The largest conflict in histo…
World War I: Causes
The causes of World War I can be traced to several factors which had been simmering for a number of decades. Among these causes were rising tensions over imperialism, increased nationalism, and a major naval arms race. These were brought to a head by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria which set in motion the series of events that led to war.
The causes of World War I can be traced to several factors which had been simmering for a number of decades. Among these causes were rising tensions over imperialism, increased nationalism, and a major naval arms race. These were brought to a head by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria which set in motion the series of events that led to war.
World War I: 1914 - Opening Campaigns
With the outbreak of World War I, the European powers began mobilizing their armies. Attacking through Belgium, Germany struck France and after initial success was halted at the Battle of the Marne. In the east, the Russians were defeated by the Germans at Tannenburg, but won a victory over the Austrians in Galicia.
With the outbreak of World War I, the European powers began mobilizing their armies. Attacking through Belgium, Germany struck France and after initial success was halted at the Battle of the Marne. In the east, the Russians were defeated by the Germans at Tannenburg, but won a victory over the Austrians in Galicia.
World War I: 1915 - A Stalemate Ensues
World War I was raging in 1915 as both sides sought to achieve a breakthrough that would lead to victory. With the Western Front locked in trench warfare, the Allies launched costly offensives to no avail. In the East, the Central Powers made great strides against Russia while in the south Italy joined the war on the Allied side.
World War I was raging in 1915 as both sides sought to achieve a breakthrough that would lead to victory. With the Western Front locked in trench warfare, the Allies launched costly offensives to no avail. In the East, the Central Powers made great strides against Russia while in the south Italy joined the war on the Allied side.
World War I: 1916 - A War of Attrition
During World War I, 1916 saw the massive battles of Verdun and the Somme erupt on the Western Front. At sea, the largest naval battle of World War I occurred at Jutland. In the east, the Russians gained ground during the Brusilov Offensive.
During World War I, 1916 saw the massive battles of Verdun and the Somme erupt on the Western Front. At sea, the largest naval battle of World War I occurred at Jutland. In the east, the Russians gained ground during the Brusilov Offensive.
World War I: A Global Struggle
When World War I became a stalemate on the Western Front, the Allies began seeking secondary fronts for striking at the Central Powers. While many of these had little effect on the outcome of World War I, the British campaign in the Middle East succeeded in toppling the Ottoman Empire.
When World War I became a stalemate on the Western Front, the Allies began seeking secondary fronts for striking at the Central Powers. While many of these had little effect on the outcome of World War I, the British campaign in the Middle East succeeded in toppling the Ottoman Empire.
World War I: America Joins the Fight
World War I changed in 1917 when the United States entered the conflict. French failures on the Western Front in 1917 along with mutinies among their troops led to the British being forced to carry the brunt of the fighting. In the east, revolution swept through Russia ultimately taking it out of World War I.
World War I changed in 1917 when the United States entered the conflict. French failures on the Western Front in 1917 along with mutinies among their troops led to the British being forced to carry the brunt of the fighting. In the east, revolution swept through Russia ultimately taking it out of World War I.
World War I: A Battle to the Death
Freed from having to fight on the Eastern Front, Germany began 1918 with a series of massive offensives designed to end the war before the Americans arrived in large numbers. Though successful in gaining ground, they failed to breakthrough the Allied armies. Having contained the weary Germans, the Allies mounted a massive offensive of their own which shattered the enemy lines and led to victory…
Freed from having to fight on the Eastern Front, Germany began 1918 with a series of massive offensives designed to end the war before the Americans arrived in large numbers. Though successful in gaining ground, they failed to breakthrough the Allied armies. Having contained the weary Germans, the Allies mounted a massive offensive of their own which shattered the enemy lines and led to victory…