World War 1 began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by Serbian nationalists. This triggered a series of military and political events that led major European powers to declare war on each other, dividing into two opposing alliances: the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, and later Italy and the United States) versus the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary). The war involved new military technologies and tactics, including trench warfare, machine guns, airplanes, and poison gas. Over 9 million soldiers were killed by the end of the war in 1918, with the Allies emerging victorious after nearly four years of fighting.

1. World War I
By the end of the 19th century, Britain wasn’t longer as powerful as it used to be by the time of the
Great Exhibition in 1851. These are some facts:
- Most British people invested their money abroad rather than in building up home
industry.
- Working class didn’t produce as it was expected because of the poor payment they
received.
- The education system didn’t encourage business or scientific studies, and it caused Britain
to keep after other countries in science and technology fields.
Furthermore, Britain found out that other countries like Germany, U.S.A. & France were
increasingly competing with her about world’s affair, and suddenly realized that she no longer
ruled the sea and discovered that others had more powerful armies and more powerful industries.
Two Shots, Two Murderers
Long-standings European rivalries had stretched nerved taut and produced two opposing
alliances:
THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE:
- Austria-Hungary Italy Germany
THE TRIPLE ENTENTE:
- Britain France Russia
There was a small group of young people plotted to kill Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand
during his visit in Sarajevo, Bosnia on June 28thof 1914. One of the killers failed while trying to
throw a bomb, however, one of them, GavriloPrincip succeeded when he shot two times killing
Archduke and his wife, Sophie Culek.

2. Besides Austria tried to blame Serbia for killing Archduke and his wife, she
found out no evidences against Serbia to be incriminated. However Austria
wanted to teach them a lesson, but Serbia didn’t want to accept all
demands, so Austria broke diplomatic relations with Serbia. Some historians
think that Austria was looking an excuse to take action against Serbia.
Austria joined Germany for support and declared war on Serbia on July
28th. Afterwards Germany declared war on Russia and on France. Germany
wanted to march through Belgium, a neutral country that was backed up by
Britain, and didn’t care about British warning that she would declare war on
Archduke Francis
Ferdinand& Sophie Chotek
Germany if it violated Belgian neutrality. Nevertheless, German troops crossed Belgium on August
4th.
When an unnecessary War begins…
Germany nearly defeated the Allies, Britain and France, in the first few weeks of war in 1914, it
had better trained soldiers, better equipment and a clear attack strategy; but these forces were
fortunate to hold back the German army at the River Marne, deep inside France.
Britain wasn’t ready enough to face the terrible destructive power of modern
weapons. At first all those who joined the army were volunteers, but in 1916 the
government had to force men to join the army whether they wanted or not; however
there were few men, mainly Quackers (they thought that War was something very bad
because of their religion), refused to fight, so the government had to accept that men
had the right to refuse to fight if they believed it was wrong. These numbers used to
scare people from the countries that were fighting: among Germany, Britain & France
had 1,100,000 soldiers dead and wounded.
Modern artillery and machine guns had completely changed the nature of war, the invention of
the tank and its use of the battlefield to break through the enemy trenches in 1917 could have
changed the course of the war, it would have led to fewer casualties if its
military value had been properly understood at the time.The introduction of
modern technology to warfare resulted in unprecedented carnage and
destruction, with more than 9 million soldiers killed by the end of the war in
November 1918. Some of new weapons were railway guns, tanks and shells
(projectile). Plus, the new strategies like the use of trenches or air
reconnaissance.
In the Middle East, British fought against Turkish troops in Iraq, Palestine
&Gallipolli on the Dardanelles. There were many casualties, but many of them
were caused by sickness and heat, it wasn’t until 1917 that the British were able
to drive back the Turks.

3. We don’t want a war; however we won’t stop it yet
The war could have ended at the end of 1916 when Germany offered to make peace but Britain
& France refused because they created hatred inside their people’s feelings:
- These governments managed to persuade their people that in spite of
such disastrous results the war was still worth fighting. In British
people’s case, they were told that they were defending the weak –
Belgium- from the strong –Germany-, and that was a fighting for
democracy and freedom. There was a huge propaganda to persuade
people, popular newspapers were using large print, memorable short
sentences and emotional language, encouraging the nation to hate
Germany and wish her destruction. These feelings were even stronger in
France.
The war at sea was more important than the war on land. From 1915 German submarines
started to sink merchant ships bringing supplies to Britain. At Jutland’s battle, in 1916,
Admiral Jellicoe was the one who successfully drove the German fleet back into harbour. In
spite of this partial victory German submarines managed to sink 40 percent of Britain’s
merchant fleet and at one point brought Britain to within six weeks of starvation.
BATTLE OF JUTLAND Jellicoe
When Russia made peace with Germany, the German generals
hoped for victory against Allies. But German submarine attacks
on neutral shipping drew America into the war against Germany
(Attached). The arrival of American troops in France left
Germany without any hope and sand signed the surrender at
5.00 A.M. on November 11th of 1918.And fire finally ceased at
"the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month"
(at 11.00 A.M. on November 11th).
Britain has lost 750,000
souls and another 2 million
soldiers had been seriously
wounded. Public opinion
claimed no mercy for
Germany.

4. In 1919, Britain and France reunited to discuss peace at Versailles, but
Germany wasn’t invited to the conference so it was forced to accept its
punishment, which was extremely severe because had to accept the whole
responsibility for causing loss and damage in every country that entered the
war. Over twenty-seven countries were mentioned as the Allied and
Associated Powers in the Treaty of Versailles,
it is considered the “formal end” of WWI.
However, war was truly global in its outreach
because colonies of European nations also
went to war.
Trenches strategy