World War I & II: Important Details and Timeline History

World War I was known as the Great War. It happened from 1914 to 1918 in Europe. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria started it. This war used new technology like tanks, submarines, and airplanes. It led to very bloody fights and about 40 million people were hurt or died, with 20 million dying.

Important battles from WWI were Battle of Mons, Battle of Tannenberg, and First Battle of the Marne. Also, First Battle of Ypres, Battle of Dogger Bank, Battle of Verdun, and Battle of Gallipoli. Soon after, World War II began in 1939 when Germany attacked Poland. These wars changed the world and are still studied today.

The Great War: World War 1

Causes and Beginnings of WWI

The reasons behind World War I were many. They included alliances, the desire for a strong military, wanting more land, and a strong pride in one's own country. These issues had been growing for years in Europe. But, the spark that set off the war was the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. He was shot by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb, on June 28, 1914. This event made Austria-Hungary start a war with Serbia. Soon, many other countries were pulled in, like Russia, Germany, France, and Britain. By August 1914, Europe's main powers were fighting, starting the First World War.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

In Sarajevo, on June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip shot and killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was next in line to rule the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austria-Hungary thought Serbia was behind the attack and declared war on them. This started a quick chain of events where more countries started to fight, leading to the beginning of World War I.

Major Battles of the Western Front

The Western Front of World War I was where some of the worst fighting happened. Important battles included the First Battle of Marne, where the Allies stopped the Germans from going further into France in 1914. The First Battle of Ypres showed the first use of poison gas later that year. The Battle of Verdun was a very long fight in 1916. Over 600,000 soldiers were killed. In the Battle of the Somme, also in 1916, Britain lost over 57,000 soldiers in just one day. These battles were fought in trenches, using machine guns and heavy artillery. They caused huge numbers of deaths with little progress made.

Battle of Gallipoli and the Ottoman Front

The Gallipoli Campaign aimed to open up a new war front and strike a big blow to the Ottoman Empire by taking the Gallipoli peninsula. This effort started in February 1915. It was a big invasion by British, French, Australian, and New Zealand troops. Despite early progress, the Allies couldn't win against the Ottomans. The fighting lasted over 9 months, but in the end, the Allies had to leave. They suffered more than a quarter-million losses, including over 28,000 Australians. The Battle of Gallipoli was a big loss for the Allies.

Turning Points and Key Events of WWI

In World War I, the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme deeply affected the course of the war. The Germans tried to break France's defenses in Verdun, from February to December 1916. The battle resulted in over 600,000 wounded or dead. Across the trenches, the Battle of the Somme found the Allies facing severe losses, especially the British with over 57,000 casualties on day one.

Although the Allies gained some ground, this front war continued for over four months. Nearly two million soldiers fell in these battles, showing the world the true horrors of trench warfare.

Entry of the United States into WWI

When World War I erupted in 1914, the U.S. aimed to stay neutral. By 1917, a combination of factors made this impossible. Germany's submarine attacks on American ships and the Zimmermann Telegram, proposing a German-Mexico alliance against the U.S., shifted American opinion.

On April 2, 1917, Woodrow Wilson called for war on Germany, seeking to make the world "safe for democracy." Congress supported this view on April 6, plunging the United States into the war. The U.S.'s involvement, with over 2 million troops, significantly bolstered the Allies' fight.

Russian Revolution and the Eastern Front

In the Eastern Front, Russia advanced early against Austro-Hungarian and German troops. However, internal troubles culminated in the Russian Revolution in 1917. The Bolshevik rise under Lenin forced Russia to exit the war through the Brest-Litovsk Treaty with Germany in 1918.

Russia's leave aided Germany in sending more forces to the West. Yet, it also weakened the Central Powers, shattering their alliance. Throughout the Eastern Front, battles such as the Battle of Tannenberg and the Brusilov Offensive marked significant events in the conflict's outcome. The Russian Revolution served as a pivotal moment in WWI's history.

Timeline of Major Events in WWI

The key events in World War I began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

This act ignited a chain reaction that soon led to the war's start.

June 28, 1914: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the immediate trigger that set off the chain of events leading to the start of World War I.

July-August 1914: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, drawing in Russia, Germany, France, and Britain, marking the beginning of the Great War.

September 6-9, 1914: The First Battle of the Marne sees close to a million casualties for German and French troops.

February-December 1916: The Battle of Verdun results in over 600,000 casualties on both sides.

July-November 1916: The Battle of the Somme sees the British suffer over 57,000 casualties on the first day alone.

April 1917: The United States enters World War I, bringing over 2 million troops to the side of the Allies.

1917: The Russian Revolution leads to Russia's withdrawal from the war, allowing Germany to shift more forces to the Western Front.

Weapons and Warfare Innovations in WWI

World War I saw the launch of new technology and weapons. Tanks gave soldiers protection and firepower.

Planes flew for bombing, fighting in the air, and finding enemy positions.

Submarines lurked underwater, attacking ships from beneath the waves.

Chemical weapons, like chlorine and mustard gas, emerged to disable armies.

Machine guns brought rapid firing capabilities, causing mass destruction.

Even artillery became stronger, able to raze enemy lines from far off.

The Rise of Nazi Germany

Treaty of Versailles and its Aftermath

In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in Paris after World War I. It placed heavy burdens on Germany, making them give up land, disarm, pay for damages, and admit fault for the war. This tough treaty set the stage for the Nazi movement and Hitler's rise in the 1930s. The German people were upset, feeling the treaty hurt their economy and national pride. The Nazis took advantage of this anger, promising to make Germany strong again by rejecting the treaty's terms.

Hitler's Rise to Power and the Nazi Ideology

After World War I, Germany was in crisis, and this became a breeding ground for extreme political groups. Hitler and the Nazis used the German resentment over the Treaty of Versailles, along with fears of communism, to win over the population. They preached a nationalist message, blaming Jews and other groups for Germany's problems. In 1933, Hitler became Chancellor and soon controlled everything, imposing a Nazi dictatorship. Their aggressive policies and intense hatred towards Jews shaped World War II and the Holocaust.

Outbreak of World War 2

World War II started on September 1, 1939. Nazi Germany attacked Poland, beginning the war. The attack was possible because of the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, meant to keep the Soviets out of the way. A swift and powerful German assault, known as Blitzkrieg, quickly overran Polish defenses.

In response, Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3. This marked the beginning of a six-year conflict. It turned into the deadliest war the world has seen.

German Invasion of Poland

Hitler's decision to invade Poland triggered World War II. This came soon after the German-Soviet Pact was signed. The invasion started on September 1, 1939, and was backed by a strong military force.

As a result, Britain and France entered the war on September 3, 1939. This announcement officially started World War II.

Axis Powers and the Allied Forces

World War II had two main sides. The Axis included Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan. They aimed to expand their power and control. On the other side, the Allies, led by the UK, US, and the Soviet Union, fought against the Axis. They wanted to preserve freedom and democracy.

The Axis also included Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. In contrast, the Allies had France, China, and more. Ultimately, the Allies' economic and military strength overcame the Axis forces. This turning point reshaped the world's future.

Major Battles and Campaigns of WWII

Battle of Britain and the Blitz

In 1940, the Battle of Britain kicked off when Nazi Germany wanted to rule the skies over Britain. They hoped to do this before attacking the British Isles. The German air force, called the Luftwaffe, started a big bombing campaign on British cities and people. But, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) fought back. Even though the RAF was smaller, it used better technology to stop the Germans. This was a big loss for the Germans and an important moment in the war. The battle showed how crucial air power was and how tough the British were.

Operation Barbarossa and the Eastern Front

In June 1941, the Nazi army invaded the Soviet Union in a huge operation called Barbarossa. At first, the Germans had a lot of success, moving deep into Soviet lands. But, the Soviet Union didn't give up and started fighting back. They fought very hard, leading to huge losses on both sides. The Eastern Front of the war became the deadliest, with more than 30 million people killed. Battles at places like Stalingrad, Leningrad, and Kursk were very important. They weakened the German army and helped the Soviets turn the war around.

The Pacific Theater and Pearl Harbor

The Pacific war started with a surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, on the 7th of December, 1941. This attack sank much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and drew America into the war. After that, the U.S. and its Allies fought Japan across many islands. Big battles like Midway, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa were tough. Gradually, the Allies pushed back the Japanese military. The war ended with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the U.S. in 1945. This led to Japan's surrender.

Turning Points of World War 2

Several key moments during World War II truly changed the course of history. The D-Day invasion of Normandy stands out. On June 6, 1944, Allied troops stormed the beaches in France. This led to a new front against Nazi Germany and pushed them back from the West.

D-Day and the Normandy Invasion

The D-Day landings, though costly, began the Nazis' downfall. Over the next year, the Allies freed Western Europe. The invasion at Normandy showed the world what strong teamwork and planning could do.

The Holocaust and Nazi Atrocities

Besides the battles, the Nazis horrifically killed millions in the Holocaust. About 6 million Jews and millions more were murdered. These events mark some of the darkest in human history and are a haunting part of World War II's story.

Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

In August 1945, the USA bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic weapons. These bombings led Japan to finally surrender. The nuclear attacks ended the war but ushered in a new era of fear over nuclear weapons.