World War 1 History

The assassination of the archduke in Sarajevo triggers a chain reaction of mobilizations and declarations of war, pulling Europe into a prolonged world war with expanding alliances and global involvement.

The Schlieffen plan aimed to defeat France with a rapid right-wing through Belgium toward Paris, then pivot to face Russia after six weeks of mobilization.

Trace the decline of the ottoman empire, the Berlin 1878 settlement, and the rise of Balkan nations, amid austro-russian rivalry that fuels World War I.

The Schlieffen Plan ignites a German west offensive through Belgium and Luxembourg, triggering a French-British retreat and trench warfare, while in the east Russia advances into Prussia and Galicia.

German forces push toward Paris but divert southeast; French reconnaissance signals the move, and Joffe orders a counter-offensive that widens the breach and stabilizes the front.

The dardanelles campaign in World War I pushed to force a route to Istanbul, then landed at Gallipoli, facing Turkish defenses with German aid, resulting in casualties and retreat.

Examine the 1916 war of attrition on the western and eastern fronts, tracing artillery bombardment of unequalled intensity, multiple offensives, and the move to impasse after heavy losses.

German forces launched Verdun offensive in early 1916 with heavy artillery and fighting, while French command organized supply and troop rotation. Battle ended in costly German failure, illustrating industrial-scale attrition.

Explore the Somme offensive of 1916, detailing the British assault on July 1, massive casualties, a shifting French advance, and a drawn-out war of attrition with limited territorial gains.

Explore how 1917 reshaped the war with German unrestricted submarine warfare driving US entry, while failed offensives, mutinies, and peace talks redefine casualties and morale.

German submarines demonstrated their effectiveness, spurring Berlin to expand production and favor their use, while Allied convoys and the United States entered the war to challenge the campaign.

German reinforcements aided Austrian advances at Caporetto, enabling a rapid breakthrough and retreat, with 300,000 prisoners and Allied reinforcements stabilizing a new front.

Allies seize the initiative on the western front after Germany's July offensive, with the second battle of the Marne and three-axis offensives driving toward the November armistice.

French, Serbian, British, and Italian troops with Greek reinforcements push the Balkans front in 1918, as Athens enters the war, leading to an armistice with Austria-Hungary by November 3.