3. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914)
Explanation: Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne visited Serbia in June of 1914. Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire have been know to not get along. From this tension, the Black Hand Group, a Serbian nationalist assembly full of men who hate Austro-Hungarians. When word reached Serbia that Franz Ferdinand was visiting, the Black Hand group began to scheme a devious plan. On June 28, Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were corned and shot by Black Hand member Gavrilo Princip.
june 28, 1914. Photograph. Sarajevo. Sparticus Educational. Spaerticus Educational, 28 Feb. 2013. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
4. Austro-Hungary declares war on Serbia (July 28, 1914)
Explanation: The hatred between Austo-Hungary and Serbia was in place for decades. Austo-Hunagary was itching to go to war with Serbia due to the militaristic vamp, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was just an excuse to declare war. The Austro-Hungarians officially declared war upon Serbia, which ignited the alliance system, The Alliance system was a treaty between countries that stated if they were at war with another country, the allied country would join to defend them. Serbia was allied with France and Britain, Austro-Hungary was allied with Germany and the Ottoman Empire. The allied countries soon joined the war, sparking war throughout Europe.
"Austro-Hungarina Map 1899." Map. Philatelicdatabase. Max Banner Ads, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
5. Germany invades Belgium (August 3, 1914)
Explanation: The Germans were in full swing of World War One, they were ready to defend their ally. Since both Russia and France were at war with Germany, Military officials put the Schlieffen plan to use [ a tactic of battle during a two- front war].In the plan to defend Germany's western front, it is required to go through Belgium to reach France safely. The Germans asked the Belgium if they could go over their land, which they declined because they were neutral. The Germans disregaureded their no and stormed through the Belgium boarders. The rest of Europe pictured Germany as a monster from that point on. There was horrificly graphic propaganda pittying Belgium and bashing Germany. With the major propaganda and rumors, England was so disgusted they joined their pals Serbia, France, and Russia to fight againt Germany and their allies.
Poor Little Belgium. 1914. Photograph. Paris, France. Weider History Group. VBulliten Solutions, 5 Sept. 2008. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
6. Battle of Liege (August 5, 1914)
Explanation: The Battle of Liege was considered the first land fight of World War One. The Germans were planning on crossing through the town of Liege, the gateway city to Belgium. The German forces of about 320,000 men were greeted with heavy armed huts and 70,000 Belgium army men. On the evening of august 5, the German forces attacked the huts, they suffered huge losses. A few days later the Germans came back with zeppelins filled with bombs and this time the Belgium lost a lot of men. To actually reach over the boarder, Germany brought huge artillery and a large gun called big Bertha a few days later. Ultimately, the Germans won the battle and got to cross the Belgium boarder.
Big Bertha. 1914. Photograph. Leige, Belgium. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 16 Mar. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
7. The Battle of Stalluponen (August 17, 1914)
Explanation: The battle of Stalluponen is considered the first battle on the eastern front. Russian General Rennenkampf 's plan was to invade East Prussia. On the morning of August 17, 1914 Rennenkampf marched into Germany with 200,000 men behind him. The German General Herman Von Francois was not ready for the Russian attack. He fended them off for a while, but they came storming into the town. With all of the attention focused on the western front, it was too easy for the weak Russian army to take a portion East Prussia for themselves.
Rennenkampf. 1914. Photograph. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 16 Mar. 2013. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
8. The Battle of Tannenberg (August 26, 1914)
explanation: The Battle of Tannenberg was a huge win for the Germans, It followed immediately after the Battle of Stalluponen. The Russians had still not left East Prussia after their victory. Francois soon brought all of his attention and artillery to the eastern front. There was four days of the Germans crushing the flimsy Russian army. There was a full retreat by the fourth day, The Germans gained East Prussia back and also stole countless guns and horses from Russia. The Battle of Tannenburg is considered one of Germany's greatest victory.
Russian Prisoners. 1914. Photograph. Tannenberg. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 16 Mar. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
9. The Battle of Marne (September 5, 1914)
Explanation: The Battle of the Marne is arguably one of the most important battle of World War One. The Battle of the Marne was fought at the Western front, the boarder of France and Germany. French troops really had the upper hand in this battle. The Germans were pushed into a rock and a hard place; the soldiers were forced to dig tunnels to stay safe. From this battle, Trench warfare was born. In the end, the Germans had a brutal loss. They were set back a few miles, and the Schlieffen plan had a major set back.
1914. Photograph. Marne. Xtimeline.com. Famento, Inc., 7 Jan. 2012. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
9. The Battle of Arras (October 1, 1914)
Explanation: The Battle of Arras was the follow up of the Battle of Albert. The Germans were trying to reach the north-westerly English channels, but the French wouldn't allow it. The German forces fought through the French troops and kept their path to the English channels. The French did manage to keep Arras but the Germans did gain Lens. The struggle to reach the English channels was referred to as the 'race to the sea'.
1914. Photograph. Arras. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 16 Feb. 2013. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
10. The Battle of Ypres (October 19, 1914)
Explanation:The Battle of Ypres[1] was the last battle in the 'race to the sea'. By early October 1914, the German troops occupied Antwerp, Belgium and the Allied troops held Nieuport. The British Expeditionary Force under the command of Field Marshal Sir John French, reinforced the French-Belgian troops at Ypres. The battle was on October 19, 1914, with the Flanders Offensive was led by German Chief Erich von Falkenhayn. Falkenhayn ordered his troops to engage the Belgian troops at Yser. The Germans were repelled by the expert riflemen of the First Corps. Again on November 11, the Germans attacked the British troops in Nun’s Wood. AT the end of November, Germany retreated.
German Army Chief of Staff Erich Von Falkenhayn. 1914. Photograph. Ypres. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 16 Feb. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
11. Britain Blockades Germany (November 3, 1914)
Explanation: At this time, Britain and Germany were at war. To make sure that Germany was really suffering, Britain blockaded them. This means that Britain blocked off the ports to Germany, so trade could not come in. From Britain's blockade, Germany was growing hungrier and poorer. Inflation was groeing rapid all throughout Germany. Britain's blockade was an intentional move to break Germany.
Germany's Inflation. 1914. Photograph. Germany. PB Works. PB Works, 4 Dec. 2009. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
11. The Christmas Truce (December 24, 1914)
Explanation: The Christmas Truce was a brief time of peace during the horribleness of Trench Warfare. On the eve of Christmas, The Germans and the French decided to celebrate the Christmas season together. They hopped out of their trenches and united in no mans land for a joyful meeting of the two armies. This is the only time in World War One where the Allies and the Central Powers resolved their differences and joined forces.
The Christmas Truce. 1914. Photograph. France. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 16 Mar. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.