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{{Main|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 ==

Weapons technology made huge advancements in the time between the U.S. Civil war and the beginning of World War I. [[Rifles]], the standard weapon of the infantry, were vastly improved in terms of accuracy and rate of fire. Even more importantly, the [[machine gun]] was invented. Because of these formidable new weapons, many military commanders expected the war to end quickly. However, these advancements changed the way wars were to be fought. World War I was characterized by huge battles in which hundreds of thousands of men died often for little or no territorial gain. Commanders resorted to sending men "over the top" of the trenches, where they were typically cut down en mass by enemy machine guns. Both sides quickly learned that mass infantry attacks were pointless, and the war settled into a stalemate. The two sides dug elaborate trench systems stretching from the Swiss border all the way to the North sea, a distance of over 2,000 miles<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8303210.stm</ref>

Weapons technology made huge advancements in the time between the U.S. Civil war and the beginning of World War I. [[Rifles]], the standard weapon of the infantry, were vastly improved in terms of accuracy and rate of fire. Even more importantly, the [[machine gun]] was invented. Because of these formidable new weapons, many military commanders expected the war to end quickly. However, these advancements changed the way wars were to be fought. World War I was characterized by huge battles in which hundreds of thousands of men died often for little or no territorial gain. Commanders resorted to sending men "over the top" of the trenches, where they were typically cut down en masse by enemy machine guns. Both sides quickly learned that mass infantry attacks were pointless, and the war settled into a stalemate. The two sides dug elaborate trench systems stretching from the Swiss border all the way to the North sea, a distance of over 2,000 miles<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8303210.stm</ref>

The quandary facing strategists through most of the war was how to reinstate mobility. The sheer size of the Eastern front made trench warfare unfeasible, creating a fluidity there that generals sought for the Western Front as well.

The quandary facing strategists through most of the war was how to reinstate mobility. The sheer size of the Eastern front made trench warfare unfeasible, creating a fluidity there that generals sought for the Western Front as well.

'''Gallipoli Campaign'''

'''Gallipoli Campaign'''

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 on bad intelligence.

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).

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.

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 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.

But a combination of fresh American troops arriving on the scene, and a failure in German supply lines was soon to halt the Micheaal offensive.  In the [[Second Battle of the Marne]] in July 1918, the Allies started winning.  Nine American divisions fought in this battle about 75 miles northeast of [[Paris]].  The Germans started this battle on another one of their offensives, but the Americans valiantly turned the tables and enabled the Allies to win it.  Casualties were enormous for everyone, including the Americans.  Former President [[Teddy Roosevelt]]’s son Quentin was killed in this battle.

But a combination of fresh American troops arriving on the scene, and a failure in German supply lines was soon to halt the Micheaal offensive.  In the [[Second Battle of the Marne]] in July 1918, the Allies started winning.  Nine American divisions fought in this battle about 75 miles northeast of [[Paris]].  The Germans started this battle on another one of their offensives, but the Americans valiantly turned the tables and enabled the Allies to win it.  Casualties were enormous for everyone, including the Americans.  Former President [[Teddy Roosevelt]]’s son Quentin was killed in this battle.

=== The War Ends ===

=== The War Ends ===

In January 1918, Wilson proclained the [[Fourteen Points]], which an idealistic vision of world peace that strengthened the peace movement inside germany and Austria and promised ana alternative to the increasingly despised monarchies.

In January 1918, Wilson proclained the [[Fourteen Points]], which an idealistic vision of world peace that strengthened the peace movement inside Germany and Austria and promised ana alternative to the increasingly despised monarchies.

As the Americans and the Allies advanced toward Germany, the [[Ottoman Turks]] and [[Bulgarian]]s surrendered.  There was a [[revolution]] in Austria-Hungary that overthrew its government, and Germany would not recognize that new government.  [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]] abdicated his throne in Germany on November 1918, and the Germans formed a new republic.  Members of the German republic signed an [[Armistice]] (agreement to stop fighting), which was tantamount to surrender. The Armistice took effect at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918.  The "war to end all wars", was over.

As the Americans and the Allies advanced toward Germany, the [[Ottoman Turks]] and [[Bulgarian]]s surrendered.  There was a [[revolution]] in Austria-Hungary that overthrew its government, and Germany would not recognize that new government.  [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]] abdicated his throne in Germany on November 1918, and the Germans formed a new republic.  Members of the German republic signed an [[Armistice]] (agreement to stop fighting), which was tantamount to surrender. The Armistice took effect at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918.  The "war to end all wars", was over.