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On one side of the war were the [[Central Powers]]: [[Austria-Hungary]], [[Germany]], [[Bulgaria]], and the [[Ottoman Empire]].  The major [[Allies]] consisted of the [[Britain|British]] and [[France|French Empires]], the Tsarist [[Russian Empire]] (until 1917), [[Italy]], [[Japan]], and after 1917 the [[United States]].   

On one side of the war were the [[Central Powers]]: [[Austria-Hungary]], [[Germany]], [[Bulgaria]], and the [[Ottoman Empire]].  The major [[Allies]] consisted of the [[Britain|British]] and [[France|French Empires]], the Tsarist [[Russian Empire]] (until 1917), [[Italy]], [[Japan]], and after 1917 the [[United States]].   

World War I saw the first use of [[poison gas]], large [[artillery]], armored [[tank|tanks]], and [[airplane]]s. It was a "total war" because the governments involved took control over the economy and factories, giving first priority to the goods needed for war. Wage and price controls were imposed, there was rationing of goods for civilians, and free speech was limited.  The governments put out [[propaganda]] to maximize support for the war and dislike of the enemy.  Many of the techniques of population manipulation and central government control which we see today were first pioneered by European powers during World War I.

World War I saw the first use of [[poison gas]], large [[artillery]], armored [[tank]]s, and [[airplane]]s. It was a "total war" because the governments involved took control over the economy and factories, giving first priority to the goods needed for war. Wage and price controls were imposed, there was rationing of goods for civilians, and free speech was limited.  The governments put out [[propaganda]] to maximize support for the war and dislike of the enemy.  Many of the techniques of population manipulation and central government control which we see today were first pioneered by European powers during World War I.

Historian Jacques Barzun observed how Darwinism caused the horrendous brutality of the wars leading up to this one: "Since in every European country between 1870 and 1914 there was a war party demanding armaments, an individualist party demanding ruthless competition, an imperialist party demanding a free hand over backward peoples, a socialist party demanding the conquest of power and a racialist party demanding internal purges against aliens — all of them, when appeals to greed and glory failed, invoked Spencer and Darwin, which was to say science incarnate."<ref>http://www.creators.com/conservative/pat-buchanan/making-a-monkey-out-of-darwin.html</ref> For more information, please see: [[World War I and Darwinism]]

Historian Jacques Barzun observed how Darwinism caused the horrendous brutality of the wars leading up to this one: "Since in every European country between 1870 and 1914 there was a war party demanding armaments, an individualist party demanding ruthless competition, an imperialist party demanding a free hand over backward peoples, a socialist party demanding the conquest of power and a racialist party demanding internal purges against aliens — all of them, when appeals to greed and glory failed, invoked Spencer and Darwin, which was to say science incarnate."<ref>http://www.creators.com/conservative/pat-buchanan/making-a-monkey-out-of-darwin.html</ref> For more information, please see: [[World War I and Darwinism]]

=== A Spark Leads to a Fire ===

=== A Spark Leads to a Fire ===

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''Main article: [[Causes of World War I]]''

{{Main|Causes of World War I}}

On June 28, 1914, a Serbian nationalist group of assassins known as The Black Hand, killed the [[Austrian]] [[Archduke Franz Ferdinand]] and his wife Sophie in [[Sarajevo]]. This action led to Austria-Hungary giving an ultimatum <ref>http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/mmontgomery/world_history/world_war1/ultimatum.htm</ref> to Serbia. Serbia agreed to comply with all of the demands, except the ones which violated their sovereignty, and, due to a number of military alliances throughout Europe, a full scale war was soon in progress. Serbia requested support from its ally, [[Russia]], which mobilized its military forces. This mobilization led to [[Germany]] invading both Russia and [[France]] (which had an existing alliance with Russia), which immediately committed Germany to war on two fronts. En route to France, German forces passed through neutral [[Belgium]]. The violation of this [[neutrality]] led [[Britain]] to declare war on Germany.  [[Italy]] had an alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, but refused to join their war effort (partly because of a secret treaty between Italy and France signed in 1902) and joined the war on the Allied side on 23 May 1915.

On June 28, 1914, a Serbian nationalist group of assassins known as The Black Hand, killed the [[Austrian]] [[Archduke Franz Ferdinand]] and his wife Sophie in [[Sarajevo]]. This action led to Austria-Hungary giving an ultimatum <ref>http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/mmontgomery/world_history/world_war1/ultimatum.htm</ref> to Serbia. Serbia agreed to comply with all of the demands, except the ones which violated their sovereignty, and, due to a number of military alliances throughout Europe, a full scale war was soon in progress. Serbia requested support from its ally, [[Russia]], which mobilized its military forces. This mobilization led to [[Germany]] invading both Russia and [[France]] (which had an existing alliance with Russia), which immediately committed Germany to war on two fronts. En route to France, German forces passed through neutral [[Belgium]]. The violation of this [[neutrality]] led [[Britain]] to declare war on Germany.  [[Italy]] had an alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, but refused to join their war effort (partly because of a secret treaty between Italy and France signed in 1902) and joined the war on the Allied side on 23 May 1915.

Alternative theories cite the building of the Berlin-Baghdad railway and the problems it would have created for England. <ref>http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA138432</ref>

Alternative theories cite the building of the Berlin-Baghdad railway and the problems it would have created for England.<ref>http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA138432</ref>

== Stalemate ==

== Stalemate ==

=== Gas ===

=== Gas ===

The Germans took the first step on January 3rd 1915 when, in contravention of the [[Hague Convention]] of 1899, which outlawed the use of poisons in war, they employed gas warfare at Bolimov, on the Eastern Front. This attack was largely ineffective, however. The Germans had used xylyl bromide, a non-lethal, but lachrymatory (tear-producing) gas, but it froze in the sub-zero temperatures. But, by April of that year, the Germans had an abundance of lethal [[chlorine]] gas that overstimulates fluid production in the lungs, drowning the victim.   

The Germans took the first step on January 3, 1915 when, in contravention of the [[Hague Convention]] of 1899, which outlawed the use of poisons in war, they employed gas warfare at Bolimov, on the Eastern Front. This attack was largely ineffective, however. The Germans had used xylyl bromide, a non-lethal, but lachrymatory (tear-producing) gas, but it froze in the sub-zero temperatures. But, by April of that year, the Germans had an abundance of lethal [[chlorine]] gas that overstimulates fluid production in the lungs, drowning the victim.   

The first effective gas attack, using chlorine, was launched by the Germans at [[Ypres]] on April 22, 1915. Fortunately for the Allies, the Germans viewed gas attacks as an experiment, so the attack was conducted on a relatively small scale. After the usual artillery bombardment, that preceded almost every battle, the greenish-yellow gas began drifting into the Allied trenches, which were occupied by French and Canadian troops. Many were killed almost immediately, and the French troops panicked, fleeing the their trenches, opening up a four-mile wide gap in the lines.  However, tenacious resistance by the remaining troops prevented the Germans from making any great gains, as well as the lazy winds which did not move the gas cloud fast enough to stay ahead of the advancing Germans.  The attack was still somewhat successful, as it did flatten the curve of the Ypres salient, and the potential gains were enormous, if only the Germans had launched a larger attack.  

The first effective gas attack, using chlorine, was launched by the Germans at [[Ypres]] on April 22, 1915. Fortunately for the Allies, the Germans viewed gas attacks as an experiment, so the attack was conducted on a relatively small scale. After the usual artillery bombardment, that preceded almost every battle, the greenish-yellow gas began drifting into the Allied trenches, which were occupied by French and Canadian troops. Many were killed almost immediately, and the French troops panicked, fleeing the their trenches, opening up a four-mile wide gap in the lines.  However, tenacious resistance by the remaining troops prevented the Germans from making any great gains, as well as the lazy winds which did not move the gas cloud fast enough to stay ahead of the advancing Germans.  The attack was still somewhat successful, as it did flatten the curve of the Ypres salient, and the potential gains were enormous, if only the Germans had launched a larger attack.  

== Great Battles of World War I ==

== Great Battles of World War I ==

World War I consisted mostly of [[trench warfare]].  This method of waging war was very slow and messy.  Soldiers might wait in their trenches for weeks, only to advance a few feet and wait in a new trench. Unfortunately, this became a necessity, as air forces were in their infancy, and the first combat tank only saw action by August 1916. There were several important battles which were fought before America joined the war.

World War I consisted mostly of [[trench warfare]].  This method of waging war was very slow and messy.  Soldiers might wait in their trenches for weeks, only to advance a few feet and wait in a new trench. Unfortunately, this became a necessity, as air forces were in their infancy, and the first combat tank only saw action by August of 1916. There were several important battles which were fought before America joined the war.

'''[[First Battle of the Marne]]'''

'''[[First Battle of the Marne]]'''

In 1915, [[Winston Churchill]], then First Lord of the Admiralty, proposed a daring plan to attack the [[Dardanelles]], a narrow section of ocean south of what is now [[Turkey]], in order to open a supply route to Russia. Unfortunately, he made his plans based of bad intelligence.

In 1915, [[Winston Churchill]], then First Lord of the Admiralty, proposed a daring plan to attack the [[Dardanelles]], a narrow section of ocean south of what is now [[Turkey]], in order to open a supply route to Russia. Unfortunately, he made his plans based of bad intelligence.

A preliminary attack was launched in February of 1915, bombarding artillery of the Ottoman Empire. However, in March, a fleet of British and French warships attempted to navigate the Dardanelles and ran into mines at its narrowest point (which is only a mile wide).

A preliminary attack was launched in February 1915, bombarding artillery of the Ottoman Empire. However, in March, a fleet of British and French warships attempted to navigate the Dardanelles and ran into mines at its narrowest point (which is only a mile wide).

The British and Churchill, not wanting to admit defeat, diverted  British, Australian, New Zealander and French troops from training in [[Egypt]] to their campaign in Turkey. Putting together an amphibious Allied force, a plan was put together to land on the Turkish peninsula of Gallipoli on April 25. Although the Allies greatly outnumbered the Turks, poor counter-intelligence efforts by the Allies allowed the Ottoman Empire to resupply and reinforce the Gallipoli peninsula. Additionally, the Allies did not understand the terrain adequately and suffered from limited knowledge of their enemy. The Turkish soldiers were also very tenacious and very able fighters.

The British and Churchill, not wanting to admit defeat, diverted  British, Australian, New Zealander and French troops from training in [[Egypt]] to their campaign in Turkey. Putting together an amphibious Allied force, a plan was put together to land on the Turkish peninsula of Gallipoli on April 25. Although the Allies greatly outnumbered the Turks, poor counter-intelligence efforts by the Allies allowed the Ottoman Empire to resupply and reinforce the Gallipoli peninsula. Additionally, the Allies did not understand the terrain adequately and suffered from limited knowledge of their enemy. The Turkish soldiers were also very tenacious and very able fighters.

However, the bloody-mindedness of the British commanders led to nine months wasted on the peninsula, with 44,000 deaths among over 100,000 casualties before their successful withdrawal, which was completed by January 9th, 1916.

However, the bloody-mindedness of the British commanders led to nine months wasted on the peninsula, with 44,000 deaths among over 100,000 casualties before their successful withdrawal, which was completed by January 9, 1916.

   

   

''' Brusilov Offensive '''

''' Brusilov Offensive '''

The Brusilov Offensive began on 4 June 1916 in spectacular fashion, demolishing the Austrian Fourth and Seventh Armies. The Austrians lost a staggering 1.5 million men (including 400,000 taken prisoner) and ceded some 25,000 square kilometres of ground. <ref>http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/brusilov.htm</ref>

The Brusilov Offensive began on 4 June 1916 in spectacular fashion, demolishing the Austrian Fourth and Seventh Armies. The Austrians lost a staggering 1.5 million men (including 400,000 taken prisoner) and ceded some 25,000 square kilometres of ground.<ref>http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/brusilov.htm</ref>

With the launch of the Brusilov Offensive any hopes the Austrians harboured of bringing about victory in the east were extinguished.  Austrian attacks in Italy ceased; and Romania finally entered the war with the Allies.

With the launch of the Brusilov Offensive any hopes the Austrians harboured of bringing about victory in the east were extinguished.  Austrian attacks in Italy ceased; and Romania finally entered the war with the Allies.

=== The Western Front ===

=== The Western Front ===

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The exit of Russia allowed Germany to shift a majority of their troops from the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|eastern front]] to the [[Western Front (World War I)|western front]]. This gave them a final chance to try and break the Allies before the Americans arrived.  Known as [[Operation Michael]], the German offensive began in March of 1918.

The exit of Russia allowed Germany to shift a majority of their troops from the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|eastern front]] to the [[Western Front (World War I)|western front]]. This gave them a final chance to try and break the Allies before the Americans arrived.  Known as [[Operation Michael]], the German offensive began in March 1918.

The Germans launched five major campaigns in a four month period in 1918 on the [[Western Front]].  The Germans had technology and lots of energy.  They had elite storm-troopers with [[automatic rifle]]s, light [[machine gun]]s, [[flame-thrower]]s and [[artillery]] fire.  They used poisonous [[mustard gas]] lavishly.  They easily defeated the vastly outnumbered British Fifth Army.  The Germans were advancing and taking property.

The Germans launched five major campaigns in a four month period in 1918 on the [[Western Front]].  The Germans had technology and lots of energy.  They had elite storm-troopers with [[automatic rifle]]s, light [[machine gun]]s, [[flame-thrower]]s and [[artillery]] fire.  They used poisonous [[mustard gas]] lavishly.  They easily defeated the vastly outnumbered British Fifth Army.  The Germans were advancing and taking property.

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== '''1914''' ==

== 1914 ==

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| June 28 || In [[Sarajevo]], [[Serbia]], [[Austria]]-[[Hungary]] Archduke [[Franz Ferdinand]] is murdered. The Black Hand is responsible.

| June 28 || In [[Sarajevo]], [[Serbia]], [[Austria]]-[[Hungary]] Archduke [[Franz Ferdinand]] is murdered. The Black Hand is responsible.

| August 4 || [[Belgium]] is invaded by [[Germany]]; War is declared on [[Germany]] by [[Britain]]

| August 4 || [[Belgium]] is invaded by [[Germany]]; War is declared on [[Germany]] by [[Britain]]

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| August 5-6 || War is declared on [[Russia]] by [[Austria]]-[[Hungary]]; War is declared on [[Germany]] by [[Serbia]]

| August 5–6 || War is declared on [[Russia]] by [[Austria]]-[[Hungary]]; War is declared on [[Germany]] by [[Serbia]]

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| August 12 || [[Serbia]] is invaded by [[Austria]]-[[Hungary]]

| August 12 || [[Serbia]] is invaded by [[Austria]]-[[Hungary]]

| August 23 || War is declared on [[Germany]] by [[Japan]]

| August 23 || War is declared on [[Germany]] by [[Japan]]

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| August 26-29 || [[Russia]] is defeated by [[Germany]] at [[Tannenburg]], [[East Prussia]]

| August 26–29 || [[Russia]] is defeated by [[Germany]] at [[Tannenburg]], [[East Prussia]]

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| September 6-10 || Battle of the [[Marne]], [[France]]- [[Germany]] is defeated by [[France]]. Both sides dig in.

| September 6–10 || Battle of the [[Marne]], [[France]]- [[Germany]] is defeated by [[France]]. Both sides dig in.

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| October 19-November 22 || First Battle of [[Ypres]], [[Belgium]]; [[Germany]] is stopped by [[Britain]]

| October 19-November 22 || First Battle of [[Ypres]], [[Belgium]]; [[Germany]] is stopped by [[Britain]]

| November 5 || War is declared on [[Turkey]] by [[Britain]] and [[France]]

| November 5 || War is declared on [[Turkey]] by [[Britain]] and [[France]]

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| November 11-25 || [[Russia]] is defeated by [[Germany]] in [[Lodz]], [[Poland]]

| November 11–25 || [[Russia]] is defeated by [[Germany]] in [[Lodz]], [[Poland]]

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== '''1915''' ==

== 1915 ==

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| February 23 || Off coast of [[Britain]], first [[German]] [[submarine]] attacks occur

| February 23 || Off coast of [[Britain]], first [[German]] [[submarine]] attacks occur

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== '''1916''' ==

== 1916 ==

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| February 21 || In [[France]], the Battle of [[Verdun]] begins by [[Germany]] attacking [[France]]

| February 21 || In [[France]], the Battle of [[Verdun]] begins by [[Germany]] attacking [[France]]

| August 28 || War is declared on [[Romania]] by [[Germany]]

| August 28 || War is declared on [[Romania]] by [[Germany]]

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| September 2-3 || [[Britain]] shoots down first [[Zeppelin]] [[German]] [[airships]]

| September 2–3 || [[Britain]] shoots down first [[Zeppelin]] [[German]] [[airships]]

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| September 15 || [[Tanks]] used for the first time in war by [[Britain]]

| September 15 || [[Tanks]] used for the first time in war by [[Britain]]

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== '''1917''' ==

== 1917 ==

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| January || [[Palestine]] is entered by [[Britain]]

| January || [[Palestine]] is entered by [[Britain]]

| July 31-November 6 || [[British]] against [[Germans]]- third Battle of [[Ypres]]

| July 31-November 6 || [[British]] against [[Germans]]- third Battle of [[Ypres]]

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| November 6-7 || [[Passchendaele]] is captured by [[Canadians]], ending Battle of [[Ypres]]; [[Bolshevik revolution]] begins in [[Russia]]

| November 6–7 || [[Passchendaele]] is captured by [[Canadians]], ending Battle of [[Ypres]]; [[Bolshevik revolution]] begins in [[Russia]]

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| November 20 || [[British]] use large number of [[tanks]] to win Battle of [[Cambrai]]

| November 20 || [[British]] use large number of [[tanks]] to win Battle of [[Cambrai]]

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== '''1918''' ==

== 1918 ==

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| January 18 || [[Fourteen-point Peace Plan]] is proposed by [[Woodrow Wilson|President Woodrow Wilson]]

| January 18 || [[Fourteen-point Peace Plan]] is proposed by [[Woodrow Wilson|President Woodrow Wilson]]

| April 9 || [[Germans]] begin attack in northern [[France]]

| April 9 || [[Germans]] begin attack in northern [[France]]

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| May 27-30 || [[Allies|Allied]] line on the [[Marne River]] is broken by [[Germans]]

| May 27–30 || [[Allies|Allied]] line on the [[Marne River]] is broken by [[Germans]]

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| August 8 || [[Germans]] are routed by [[Allies]] at Battle of [[Amiens]]

| August 8 || [[Germans]] are routed by [[Allies]] at Battle of [[Amiens]]

* Coffman, Edward M. ''The War to End All Wars: The American Military Experience in World War I'' (1998) [http://books.google.com/books?id=px_1JGtbeIAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=COFFMAN+The+War+to+End+All+Wars:&lr=&num=30&as_brr=0&ei=0RdYSJKmKJyMjAG04JWFDA&sig=s-w6Np6drA_a-MzUxR0UnsQcORc excerpt and text search]

* Coffman, Edward M. ''The War to End All Wars: The American Military Experience in World War I'' (1998) [http://books.google.com/books?id=px_1JGtbeIAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=COFFMAN+The+War+to+End+All+Wars:&lr=&num=30&as_brr=0&ei=0RdYSJKmKJyMjAG04JWFDA&sig=s-w6Np6drA_a-MzUxR0UnsQcORc excerpt and text search]

* Kennedy, David M. ''Over Here: The First World War and American Society'' (1979) [http://www.amazon.com/Over-Here-First-American-Society/dp/0195173996 excerpt and text search]

* Kennedy, David M. ''Over Here: The First World War and American Society'' (1979) [http://www.amazon.com/Over-Here-First-American-Society/dp/0195173996 excerpt and text search]

* May, Ernest R. ''The World War and American isolation, 1914-1917'' (1959[http://hdl.handle.net.proxy.cc.uic.edu/2027/heb.00283 online at ACLS e-books]

* May, Ernest R. ''The World War and American isolation, 1914-1917'' (1959 [http://hdl.handle.net.proxy.cc.uic.edu/2027/heb.00283 online at ACLS e-books]

* Morton, Desmond, and Jack Granatstein. ''Marching to Armageddon: Canadians and the Great War 1914-1919'' (1989)

* Morton, Desmond, and Jack Granatstein. ''Marching to Armageddon: Canadians and the Great War 1914-1919'' (1989)

* Scott, Emmett Jay. ''Scott's Official History of the American Negro in the World War'' (1919) 511 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=obUHAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=intitle:world+intitle:war+date:1919-2007&num=30&as_brr=1 online edition]

* Scott, Emmett Jay. ''Scott's Official History of the American Negro in the World War'' (1919) 511 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=obUHAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=intitle:world+intitle:war+date:1919-2007&num=30&as_brr=1 online edition]