The War to End All Wars?

1. The War to End All Wars? Some Key Dates & Events: 1914-1918

2. 1914 August - Outbreak of World War One. German advance into France begins and then halted. Russia suffers major defeat at Tannenberg. September – work begins in Germany, France, & Britain, on developing chemical weapons (initially chlorine then phosgene and mustard gas) October – Turkey joins war on German side. Dardanelles straits closed preventing Allies from supplying Russians. Nationalist & Muslim uprisings occur in the Middle East, and British imperial possessions threatened. December – losses already reach over 300, 000 dead and 600, 000 wounded or missing. Heaviest rainfall to hit northern Europe since 1870s turns battlefields into mudbaths. 1915 First Use of Poison Gas – first by Germany, then Britain First Battle of Ypres

3. Gallipoli campaign begins Conscription begins in Britain and France. Italy joins war on British side, following promises of land gains in Austrian territory in Treaty of London Rationing begins in many Central and Eastern European states – including Germany 1916 Battle of the Somme takes place with major casualties on all sides. France appoints young General, Henri Philippe Petain. Petain immediately earns praise, successfully blocking German assault at Verdun – though total losses of 800, 000 suffered by all sides Russia suffers second disastrous defeat at Lake Narotch, with many deaths through frostbite. Leads to Russian ‘Brusilov Offensive’ under General Brusilov, with hopeful start but also ends in disaster. Marks beginning of the end for Tsardom. Tanks used for first time Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Japan now also joined war

4. ‘Easter Rising’ takes place in Ireland – plunging Britain into ‘internal’ conflict Lloyd George replaced Asquith as British prime minister in coalition government – Liberal Party splits over issue as widely perceived as Lloyd George ‘coup’ 1917 Germany launches unrestricted submarine campaign Battles of Ypres and Passchendaele take place with massive losses – in Passchendaele drowning in mud one cause of death February and October Revolutions in Russia – lays foundations for USSR State Germany attempts Alliance with Mexico, promising return of ‘lost’ territory - including US state of Texas (Zimmermann telegram). Telegram intercepted by British and USA informed America joins the war on Britain’s side In Germany Army Council takes over control of government behind the scenes In France troops begin to rebel and mutiny as radical socialists press for peace

5. Austrian attempts secret peace deal – ends in failure and subsequent humiliation when deal revealed by new French premier, Clemenceau British blockade of Germany lead to ‘Turnip Winter’ -with Germans reaching near starvation levels 1918 In American President Wilson announces his Fourteen Point Plan for future European peace Treaty of Brest-Litovsk sees Russia pull out of war – with harsh penalties imposed by victorious Germany ‘Revolution from Above’ in Germany sees Abdication of Kaiser and creation of Constitutional Monarchy under Prince Max of Baden ‘Revolution from Below’ follows within weeks, sparked by Kiel Mutiny. Sees creation of democratic Republic under SPD Presidency of Ebert in centre left coalition Armistice finally announced and war ends – German defeat coming as shock to many Germans. Peace talks begin in Paris – soon becomes clearer that Wilson’s peaceful fourteen points will not be applied to Germany...