While World War I, also known as the First World War or the Great War, began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and lasted four years, ending in 1918, tension had been stirring long before throughout Europe; specifically, in the southeast Balkan region known as the “powder keg.” European powers such as the Ottoman Empire, the Russians and other parties had a number of alliances that were threatened by political instability. The murder of the heir to the Austro Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie by a Serbian nationalist, was the spark responsible for igniting the war. Serbian nationalists were adamant about ending Austro Hungarian control over Bosnia and Herzegovina. This set off a fast acting
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Austro Hungary was prepared to declare war on Serbia, however, they held back until they knew for certain that Germany and its leader Kaiser Wilhelm II would be supporting their cause. The Austro Hungarian government waited to receive this assurance of support because Serbia was being supported by Russia and indirectly by France and Great Britain as well, seeing as they were Russia’s allies. Kaiser Wilhelm II pledged his support to Austria Hungary in secret on July fifth and Austria Hungary wasted no time in giving Serbia an ultimatum full of harsh terms making acceptance impossible. On July twenty eighth, Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia and the powder keg exploded. Austria Hungary and Germany (later known as the Central Powers) were at war with Serbia, Russia, Great Britain and Belgium (later known as the Allied Powers); this was the start of World War …show more content…
On July 15, 1918 the German army took its final attack on French forces (who were joined by 85,000 American and British troops) in what is known as the Second Battle of the Marne. The Allied Powers pushed back the German armies and were able to counterattack three days later. The Second Battle of the Marne gave the Allies the upper hand and they were able to regain France and Belgium. In the fall of 1918, the Central Powers were unraveling quickly all around. Finally on November 11, 1918 Germany was forced to surrender due to a lack of resources on the battlefield, discontent from the motherland and its population and the surrender of all its allies; World War I was over (Jtalarico).
A year after the war the Paris Peace Conference took place, the Allied forces desired to to build a post war that would protect itself from future conflicts on such a drastic scale. Many began to call World War I “the War to End All Wars.” British futurist writer H.G. Wells wrote in an article titled “The War to End All Wars” on August 14, 1914 (WWI Centennial)
Austro Hungary was prepared to declare war on Serbia, however, they held back until they knew for certain that Germany and its leader Kaiser Wilhelm II would be supporting their cause. The Austro Hungarian government waited to receive this assurance of support because Serbia was being supported by Russia and indirectly by France and Great Britain as well, seeing as they were Russia’s allies. Kaiser Wilhelm II pledged his support to Austria Hungary in secret on July fifth and Austria Hungary wasted no time in giving Serbia an ultimatum full of harsh terms making acceptance impossible. On July twenty eighth, Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia and the powder keg exploded. Austria Hungary and Germany (later known as the Central Powers) were at war with Serbia, Russia, Great Britain and Belgium (later known as the Allied Powers); this was the start of World War …show more content…
On July 15, 1918 the German army took its final attack on French forces (who were joined by 85,000 American and British troops) in what is known as the Second Battle of the Marne. The Allied Powers pushed back the German armies and were able to counterattack three days later. The Second Battle of the Marne gave the Allies the upper hand and they were able to regain France and Belgium. In the fall of 1918, the Central Powers were unraveling quickly all around. Finally on November 11, 1918 Germany was forced to surrender due to a lack of resources on the battlefield, discontent from the motherland and its population and the surrender of all its allies; World War I was over (Jtalarico).
A year after the war the Paris Peace Conference took place, the Allied forces desired to to build a post war that would protect itself from future conflicts on such a drastic scale. Many began to call World War I “the War to End All Wars.” British futurist writer H.G. Wells wrote in an article titled “The War to End All Wars” on August 14, 1914 (WWI Centennial)