Timeline of World War I dates and events (1914-1918)

1914

1914.06.28 As a result of the assassination attempt in Sarajevo, the Archduke of Austria-Hungary Franz Ferdinand and his wife are killed. The murder was committed by the Bosnian Serb Gavrila Princip, a seventeen-year-old student associated with the nationalist Serb organization Black Hand.

1914.07.5 Germany promises to support Austria-Hungary in the event of a conflict with Serbia.

1914.07.23 Austria-Hungary, suspecting Serbia of participation in the murder of Franz Ferdinand, announces an ultimatum to her.

1914.07.24 Edward Gray proposes four great powers as mediators in the settlement Balkan crisis... Serbia turns to Russia for help.

1914.07.25 Serbia announces mobilization into the army. Germany pushes Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.

1914.07.26 Austria-Hungary announces general mobilization and concentrates troops on the border with Russia.

1914.07.30 Mobilization into the army was announced in Russia (at first the option of partial mobilization was considered, so as not to frighten Germany, but it soon became clear that then the planned mobilization would fail, if it still had to be resorted to. So the government took a step after which it was no longer possible to stop ).

1914.07.31 Germany demands from Russia to stop conscription. France, Austria-Hungary and Germany are mobilizing. Great Britain requires Germany to maintain Belgium's neutrality.

1914.08.1 Germany declares war on Russia. The First Begins World War.

1914.08.1 In Constantinople, Germany and Turkey sign an agreement.

1914.08.2 Germany occupies Luxembourg and demands that Belgium let its troops pass.

1914.08.2 Russia invades East Prussia.

1914.08.2 Italy declares its neutrality in the European conflict.

1914.08.2 Germany declares war on France.

1914.08.4 The full-time Prussian operation began Howls - offensive(4 (17) August - 2 (15) September 1914) of the Russian troops, which were tasked with inflicting

defeat of the 8th German army and the capture of East Prussia.

1914.08.4 German troops invade Belgium.

1914.08.4 Great Britain declares war on Germany and sends warships to the North Sea, the English Channel and the Mediterranean to blockade the states of Central Europe.

1914.08.4 President Wilson declares US neutrality towards the war in Europe.

1914.08.5 German 2nd Army reaches Liege, where it meets fierce resistance from Belgian troops (the battle lasted until August 16).

1914.08.6 Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.

1914.08.6 Serbia and Montenegro declare war on Germany.

1914.08.8 British troops land in France.

1914.08.8 British and French troops occupy the German protectorate Togoland (the territory of present-day Togo and the Volta region in the Republic of Ghana).

1914.08.10 France declares war on Austria-Hungary.

1914.08.10 German cruisers "Breslau" and "Goeben" in the Mediterranean Sea manage to slip past British ships and enter the Black Sea, where they were then sold to Turkey to replace ships captured by England.

1914.08.12 Great Britain declares war on Austria-Hungary.

1914.08.14 Russia promises autonomy for that part of Poland, which is part of Russia, in exchange for the help of the Poles in the war.

1914.08.15 Japan sends an ultimatum to Germany demanding the withdrawal of troops from the German-owned port of Jiaozhou in China.

1914.08.20 Germany occupies Brussels.

1914.08.20 (August 7, O.S.). A counter battle between the Russian and German armies near the city of Gumbinnen.

1914.08.21 The British government announces the creation of the first "New Army", formed from volunteers.

1914.08.21 Battle of Charleroi begins (August 21-25) - British and French troops retreat.

1914.08.22 Retired General Paul von Hindenburg is appointed commander of the German Eighth Army in East Prussia.

1914.08.23 Russian victory at Frankenau in East Prussia.

1914.08.23 The Lublin-Kholm operation began, the offensive of the 4th and 5th Russian armies of the Southwestern Front against the 1st and 4th Austro-Hungarian armies. Lasted 10-12 (23-25) August.

1914.08.23 Japan declares war on Germany.

1914.08.26 Changes in the French Cabinet. General Gallieni is appointed Governor of Paris.

1914.08.26 Germany defeats Russia at the Battle of Tannenberg in East Prussia (until August 28).

1914.08.27 German General Otto Liman von Sanders is appointed commander-in-chief of the Turkish army.

1914.08.28 The British fleet commanded by David Beatty raids Heligoland Bight.

1914.08.28 Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium.

1914.08.30 Germany captures Amiens.

1914.09.1 ​​The capital of Russia, St. Petersburg, is renamed Petrograd.

1914.09.2 The French government moves to Bordeaux.

1914.09.3 German troops cross the Marne.

1914.09.5 Battle of the Marne (until September 10). From September 10 to 12, German troops retreated, trying to establish a front line along the Aisne River. By the end of the battle on the Western Front, the sides switched to trench warfare.

1914.09.5 In London, France, Russia and Great Britain agree not to enter into separate peace negotiations with the opposing side.

1914.09.6 Battle in the Masurian Marshes, East Prussia (until September 15). The German units threw back the Russian troops.

1914.09.8 Battle of Lvov (until September 12). Russian troops occupy Lviv, the fourth largest city in Austria-Hungary.

1914.09.13 The offensive of the French and British armies continued on the Aisne River in Northern France (left tributary of the Oise) (September 13-15, 1914)

1914.09.14 The Allies liberate Reims.

1914.09.14 Erich von Falkenhain replaces Helmut von Moltke as Commander-in-Chief of the German Army.

1914.09.15 Battle on the Aisne (until September 18). Allies attack German positions. The infantry starts digging trenches.

1914.09.15 V Pacific region, in Germanic New Guinea, German units surrender to British troops.

1914.09.17 "Run to the sea" called the operation when the allied and German troops tried to bypass each other from the flank (until October 18). As a result, the Western Front stretched from North Sea through Belgium and France to Switzerland.

1914.09.18 Paul von Hindenburg is appointed commander of all German forces on the Eastern Front.

1914.9. The August operation (first) began - an offensive operation in September - October 1914 in the area of ​​the Polish city of Augustow of the Russian armies against the German army.

1914.09.27 Russian troops cross the Carpathians and invade Hungary.

1914.09.27 The city of Douala in German Cameroon is captured by British and French troops.

1914.09.28 The first battle for Warsaw (before October 27) - the Warsaw-Ivangorod operation. German and Austrian forces attack Russian positions from the south, but are forced to retreat.

1914.10.1 Turkey closes the Dardanelles for the passage of ships.

1914.10.9 Antwerp is captured by German troops.

1914.10.12 On the Western Front, the first battle begins at Ypres, Belgium, during which German units are trying to break through the defenses of the allied forces (until November 11).

1914.10.14 The first Canadian units arrive in England.

1914.10.17 During the Battle of Ysere in Belgium (Western Front), attempts by German troops to reach the ports of the English Channel (until October 30) are repelled.

1914.10.17 The first parts of the Australian Expeditionary Force sail to France.

1914.10.20 The Battle of Flanders of 1914 began, fighting between German and Anglo-French troops in Flanders during the First World War. Lasted from October 20 to November 15.

1914.10.29 Turkish ships shell Odessa and Sevastopol.

1914.11.1 Battle of Coronel (Chile). A German squadron under the command of Maximilius von Spee defeats the British naval forces.

1914.11.2 Russia declares war on Turkey.

1914.11.5 France and Great Britain declare war on Turkey.

1914.11.5 Naval battle at Cape Sarych (southern coast of Crimea) November 5, 1914 between the German battle cruiser "Goeben" under the command of Rear Admiral V. Sushon and a Russian squadron of five battleships under the command of Admiral A. A. Eberhard.

1914.11.5 Great Britain conducts the annexation of Cyprus, which it occupied back in June 1878.

1914.11.9 The German warship Emden sank off the Cocos Islands.

1914.11.11 The operation of Lodz in 1914 began on October 29 (November 11) - November 11 (24). The command of the German army, holding down the 2nd and 5th Russian armies with attacks from the front, tried to encircle and defeat the Russian troops in the Lodz area with a blow to their flank with the forces of the 9th Army. The Russian forces managed not only to resist this blow, but also to push back the enemy.

1914.11.18 On the Eastern Front, German troops break through the defenses of the Russian troops in the Kutno region.

1914.11.18 The French government returns to Paris.

1914.11.19 The battle began on the Bzura River (November 19 - December 20) between the Austro-German and Russian troops during the First World War of 1914-1918.

1914.11.21 Indian troops occupy the Turkish city of Basra.

1914/11/23 British navy shells Zeebrugge.

1914.12.2 A vote on war credits takes place in the German Reichstag. Karl Liebknecht votes against.

1914.12.5 On the Eastern Front, Austrian troops defeat the Russian army at Limakovy, but they fail to break through the defenses at Krakow (both battles lasted until December 17).

1914.12.6 On the Eastern Front, German troops capture Lodz.

1914.12.8 Battle of the Falkland Islands, the British navy commanded by Admiral Frederick Sterdy destroys a German squadron.

1914.12.17 Great Britain declares Egypt its protectorate (on December 18, Khedive Abbas II loses power and Prince Hussein Kemel becomes his successor).

1914.12.21 The first German air raid on England (bombing the southern coast).

1914.12.22 (December 9 Julian). The Sarikamysh operation began: the Turkish army unsuccessfully tried to attack the positions of the Russian troops in the Caucasus. The operation ended on January 4 (17), 1915.

1914.12.26 The German government announces control over the supply and distribution of food.

1915

1915.01.3 On the Western Front, Germany begins to use gas-filled shells.

1915.01.8 On the Western Front, heavy fighting is taking place in the area of ​​the Basse Canal and near Suasok in France (until February 5).

1915.01.13 Troops South Africa occupy Swakopmund in German Southwest Africa.

1915.01.18 Japan makes "21 demands" to China.

1915.01.19 The first German airship raid on England. Seaports in East Anglia are being bombed.

1915.01.23 On the Eastern Front, there is a fierce battle between Russian and Austro-Hungarian troops in the Carpathians (until mid-April).

1915.01.24. In the North Sea at Dogger Bank, the British fleet destroys the German cruiser Blucher.

1915.01.25 The August operation (second) begins - the offensive on January 25 - February 13, 1915 in the Augustow area of ​​the German armies against the Russian army.

1915.01.30 Germany begins to use submarines in the war. The port of Le Havre on the northern coast of France is attacked.

1915.02.3 In the Turkish Empire, British troops begin their advance along the Tigris River in Mesopotamia.

1915.02.4 Germany announces the establishment of an underwater blockade of England and Ireland (starting February 18). She warns that she will consider any foreign vessel in the specified area as her legitimate target.

1915.02.4 In Egypt, the Turks repel the attack of the allied forces in the direction of the Suez Canal.

1915.02.4 The British Foreign Office declares that any ship bringing grain to Germany will be intercepted by the British Navy.

1915.02.8 On the Eastern Front, during the winter battle in Masuria, the troops of Germany and Austria-Hungary force the Russian army to retreat (ends on February 22).

1915.02.10 The US government announces that Germany will be held liable for any damage caused to the US Navy and American citizens.

1915.02.16 On the Western Front, French artillery conducts a massive shelling of German positions in Champagne, France (until February 26).

1915.02.17 On the Eastern Front, German troops recapture the city of Memel in North-West Germany (modern Lithuanian Klaipeda) from the Russian troops.

1915.02.19 British and French naval formations fire at Turkish fortifications at the entrance to the Dardanelles.

1915.02.20 The first Prasnysh operation began, one of the operations of the troops of the Russian North-Western Front against the German troops in the Prasnysh region (now Pshasnysh, Poland) in February - July 1915.

1915.03.9 Alexander Parvus presents to the German leadership the Plan of the Russian Revolution - a program of subversive activities aimed at overthrowing the existing system in Russia.

1915.03.10 On the Western Front, a battle takes place near the village of Neuve Chapelle (until March 13). As a result, British and Indian troops capture this settlement in northeastern France.

1915.03.18 In Turkey, British and French naval units try to break through the Dardanelles, but Turkish coastal batteries repel the attack. During the battle, three main ships of the allied squadron were sunk.

1915.03.21 German airships bombard Paris.

1915.03.22 On the Eastern Front, Russian troops capture Przemysl (in the Polish lands in the north-east of Austria-Hungary).

1915.04.8 The beginning of the deportation of Armenians from Turkey, accompanied by their mass extermination.

1915.04.22 On the Western Front, near the town of Langemark on Ypres, German troops first use poison gases: the second battle begins at Ypres. During the offensive operation, German troops break through the front in South-West Belgium and move forward 5 kilometers (until May 27).

1915.04.25 In Turkey, allied forces land on the Gallipoli Peninsula. British and French units at Cape Helles, Australian and New Zealand units (Anzac block) at Anzac Bay.

1915.04.26 A secret agreement between England, France and Italy is concluded in London. Italy must enter the war and, in case of victory, receive territories and reparations from Germany and Austria-Hungary.

1915.04.26 On the Eastern Front, during offensive battles, German troops invade Courland (modern Latvia) and on April 27 they capture Lithuania.

1915.05.1 German submarines suddenly attack and sink the American ship Gulflight.

1915.05.1 The Black Sea Fleet squadron began its campaign (5 battleships, 3 cruisers, 9 destroyers, 1 air transport with 5 seaplanes) to the Bosphorus (May 1-6, 1915).

1915.05.2 On the Eastern Front, during offensive operations (until September 30), Austro-German troops break through the Russian front in Galicia (North-Western Austria-Hungary) - Gorlitsky Breakthrough.

1915.05.4 Italy refuses to participate in the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary (the Treaty of Alliance was extended in December 1912).

1915.05.4 The second battle of Artois takes place on the Western Front (until 18 June). After the diversionary maneuver of British troops, the French forces manage to break through the front in northeastern France, but the advance is negligible.

1915.05.7 Near the southern coast of Ireland, German submarines sink the British liner Lusitania. 1198 people die, including 128 US citizens.

1915.05.9 Battle of Obers Ridge on the Western Front (until May 10). Unsuccessful British offensive in North-East France.

1915.05.12 South African forces under the command of Louis Botha occupy Windhoek, the capital of German South West Africa.

1915.05.15 On the Western Front, the battle of Festüber (until May 25). Unsuccessful offensive by British and Canadian forces in North-East France.

1915.05.15 In England, the first sea lord John Fisher leaves office, protesting against the government's policy towards the Dardanelles.

1915.05.23 Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary and seizes part of its territory. A battle took place on the Isonzo River.

1915.05.27 The Turkish government decides to deport 1.8 million Turkish citizens of Armenian origin to Syria and Mesopotamia. A third of these people were deported, another third were killed, the rest managed to escape.

1915.06.1 The first airship raid on London.

1915.06.3 On the Eastern Front, the southern flank of the Russian troops collapsed after the German units again took Przemysl.

1915.06.9 Riots in Moscow.

1915.06.23 German Social Democrats issue a manifesto demanding the start of peace negotiations.

1915.06.23 On the Eastern Front, in the north-east of Austria-Hungary, German and Austrian troops recapture the city of Lemberg (modern Ukrainian Lvov) from the Russian army.

1915.06.23 First battle at Isonzo (until July 7). Italian troops are trying to capture the Austrian-held bridgeheads at the Isonzo (border river in North East Italy).

1915.06.26 The Alashkert operation began - the battle of June 26 - July 21, 1915 in the Alashkert region (Eastern Turkey) between the Turkish army and the Russian Caucasian corps.

1915.07.2 (Julian - June 19). The Gotland battle took place between the Russian brigade of cruisers and a detachment of German ships - sea ​​battle off the Swedish island of Gotland.

1915.07.9 In South-West Africa, German units surrender to the army under the command of Luis Botha.

1915.08.5 On the Eastern Front, German troops took Warsaw, which is part of the Russian Empire.

1915.08.6 In Turkey, Allied forces land at Suvla Bey on the Gallipoli Peninsula, trying to open a third front. But they manage to keep only a small piece of land.

1915.08.25 Italy declares war on Turkey.

1915.08.26 On the Eastern Front, German troops occupy Brest-Litovsk in the southern part of Polish lands belonging to Russia.

1915.08.30 Taking into account the protests from the United States, the German command orders its commanders of submarines and surface warships to warn enemy passenger ships of an attack.

1915.08-09 The battle of Vilna begins - a defensive operation of the 10th Russian army (General E.A. Radkevich) against the 10th German army (General G. Eichhorn) in August - September 1915.

1915.09.5 The first international socialist conference is held in Zimmerwald (from 5 to 8 September).

1915.09.6 On the Eastern Front, Russian troops stop the German offensive near Ternopil. The parties go over to trench warfare.

1915.09.6 Bulgaria signs a military treaty with Germany and Turkey.

1915.09.8 Tsar Nicholas II takes command of the Russian army.

1915.09.9 The USA demands that Austria recall its ambassador (the ambassador leaves New York on October 5).

1915.09.18 Germany withdraws its submarines from the English Channel and the Western Atlantic to reduce the danger to American ships.

1915.09.18 On the Eastern Front, German troops capture the city of Vilno (modern Lithuanian city of Vilnius).

1915.09.23 Mobilization is announced in Greece.

1915.09.25 The third battle in Artois begins on the Western Front (until October 14). French units attack German positions in northeastern France and southeastern Champagne. British troops are trying to break through the German defenses near Laos (the operation ended on November 4 with minimal success).

1915.09.25 The USA provides England and France with a loan of 500 million dollars.

1915.09.28 British troops, developing an offensive along the Tigris River in Mesopotamia, occupy the city of Kut al-Imara.

1915.10.5 Allied forces land in neutral Greece, in Thessaloniki to assist Serbia.

1915.10.6 Bulgaria enters the war on the side of the Central European states.

1915.10.6 In England, it is announced that Lord Derby has been appointed responsible for mobilization (continued until December 12).

1915.10.7 Austria-Hungary again invades Serbia (the offensive lasted until November 20) and captures Belgrade (October 9). The Serbian army is retreating southwestward. Bulgarian units hold the defense against the allied forces in Thessaloniki.

1915.10.12 The German occupation authorities execute the English nurse Edith Keivell for harboring British and French prisoners and for facilitating their escape.

1915.10.12 The Allies declare that they will provide assistance to Serbia in accordance with the Bucharest Treaty of August 10, 1913.

1915.10.12 Greece refuses to help Serbia despite their 1913 treaty.

1915.10.13 Protesting against the sending of troops to Thessaloniki, French Foreign Minister Théophile Delcassé resigns.

1915.10.15 Great Britain declares war on Bulgaria.

1915.10.19 Japan signs the London Treaty, assuring the rest of the participants that it will not conduct separate peace negotiations with the opposing side.

1915.10.21 Third battle at Isonzo (until November 4). The Italian forces advanced very little.

1915.10.30 The Hamadan operation began, the offensive operation of the Russian troops in Northern Iran, carried out on October 17 (30). - 3 (16) Dec.

1915.11.12 Great Britain carries out the annexation of the Gilbert and Ellis Islands (the modern islands of Tuvalu and Kirkbati), turning the protectorate into a colony.

1915.11.13 After the failure of the operation on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Winston Churchill resigns from the British Cabinet.

1915.11.21 Italy declares solidarity with the allies in refusing to separate peace negotiations.

1915.11.22 Battle of Ctesiphon (until December 4). Turkish troops in Mesopotamia are forcing the British to withdraw to the city of Kut al-Imara.

1915.12.3 Commander-in-Chief French army Joseph Joffre is appointed.

1915.12.8 The Turks encircle British troops near the city of Kut al-Imara in Mesopotamia.

1915.12.18 The Allies withdraw their troops from the Gallipoli Peninsula (the operation ends on December 19).

1915.12.19 Douglas Haig replaces John French as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in France and Flanders.

1916

1916.01.8 Allies withdraw troops from Cape Helles on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey (the operation continued until January 9).

1916.01.8 Austria-Hungary is fighting in Montenegro (until January 17, the Serbian army retreats to the island of Corfu).

1916.01.10 (December 28 Julian). The Russian army in the Caucasus advances on the Turkish positions (until April 18). The Erzurum operation of 1915/1916 began. December 28 (January 10) - February 18 (March 2). Parts of the 2nd Turkestan corps and the 1st Caucasian corps under the command of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich defeated the forces of the 3rd Turkish army and captured the Erzurum fortress. The Turkish army lost up to 50% of its personnel (Russians - up to 10%). The success of this operation led to the conclusion of an agreement between Russia, Britain and France on the transfer of the Black Sea Turkish straits to Russia after the war. For this, the military command of the Russian army and navy planned for 1917 the landing of military landings in the straits and the final withdrawal of Turkey from the war. The offensive did not take place due to the revolutionary events in Russia.

1916.01.29 The last airship raid on Paris.

1916.02.2 Sturmer becomes prime minister in Russia.

1916.02.5 The Trebizond operation began. It lasted from January 23 (February 5) to April 5 (18), 1916. As a result of the capture of Trebizond by the Russian troops, the 3rd Turkish army was cut off from Istanbul.

1916.02.16 Russian troops occupy the city of Erzurum in northeastern Turkey.

1916.02.18 The last German garrison in Cameroon capitulates.

1916.02.21 Battle of Verdun begins on the Western Front (until December 18). German troops are trying to capture the French city of Verdun, but they are met with fierce resistance. As a result of heavy fighting, the losses of Germany and France amounted to almost 40 thousand killed and wounded on each side.

1916.03.2 Russian troops capture the city of Bit Lis in South-Eastern Turkey (recaptured by the Turks on August 7).

1916.03.9 Germany declares war on Portugal.

1916.03.13 Germany changes the rules of attack on naval targets. Its submarines can now attack all British non-passenger ships in British coastal waters.

1916.03.15 Alfred von Tirpitz, German Secretary of State for Naval Affairs, resigns.

1916.03.18 The Naroch operation of 1916 began, the offensive operation of the Russian troops of the Western and Northern fronts on March 5 (18) - 17 (30) in the Dvinsk region.

1916.03.2 ° Allies agree on post-war partition of Turkey.

1916.03.2 Allied aircraft raid a German submarine base at Zeebrugge, Belgium.

1916.03.24 A German submarine sinks the passenger ship Sussex without warning. There are also US citizens among the victims.

1916.03.27 French Prime Minister Aristide Briand opens the Paris Conference of the Allied Powers on Military Issues.

1916.04.18 Russian troops occupy the city of Trabzond in northeastern Turkey.

1916.04.2 ° The USA warns Germany about the possibility of severing diplomatic relations.

1916.04.29 Turkish troops recapture the city of Kut al-Imara in Mesopotamia from the British army.

1916.05.15 The offensive at Asiago. Austro-Hungarian troops attack Italian positions, but achieve minimal success (until June 26).

1916.05.31 The Battle of Jutland begins in the North Sea, the main battle of the German and British navies in this war. The British lost most their ships, however, the German fleet was locked in ports until the end of the war (ended on June 1).

1916.06.4 Brusilov breakthrough was carried out on the Eastern Front. Russian armies under the command of General Brusilov break through the Austrian-Hungarian defenses in the south of the Pripyat swamps. However, the active hostilities of the German troops reduced the effect of the Russian offensive (the fighting continued until August 10).

1916.06.13 Jan Smuts, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces, captures Wilhelmstahl in German East Africa (present-day Tanzania).

1916.06.14 The Conference of the Allied Powers on Economic Issues takes place in Paris.

1916.06.18 On the Eastern Front, Russian troops occupy Chernivtsi (modern Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi).

1916.06.19 The battle at Baranovichi began (June 19-25) between the Russian army and the Austro-German group.

1916.06.23 Greece announces its agreement to obey the demands of the allies and demobilize the army.

1916.06. The blockade of the Bosphorus by the Russian fleet began.

1916.07.1 The Battle of the Somme begins on the Western Front (until November 19). A massive offensive by French and British troops, which managed to advance 8 kilometers. On the first day of the offensive, Great Britain lost 60 thousand soldiers (20 thousand killed). During the entire operation, Great Britain and France lost a total of over 620 thousand soldiers, and Germany's losses amounted to about 450 thousand soldiers.

1916.07.9 The German submarine "Deutschland" manages to pass through the sea barriers of the allied fleet and reach the shores of the United States.

1916.08.6 Sixth Battle of Isonzo (until 17 August). Italian troops go on the offensive and capture the city of Horace in Austria-Hungary.

1916.08.17 Bulgarian troops attack the positions of the allies encircled in Thessaloniki (until September 11).

1916.08.19 Royal Navy in the North Sea disabled the German battleship "Westfalen".

1916.08.19 German artillery shells the coast of England.

1916.08.27 Romania joins the allied powers and declares war on Austria-Hungary. Romanian troops go on the offensive in Transylvania (at that time the territory of Hungary).

1916.08.28 Italy declares war on Germany.

1916.08.30 Paul von Hindenburg is appointed Chief of the General Staff of the German Army.

1916.08.30 Turkey declares war on Russia.

1916.09.1 ​​Bulgaria declares war on Romania.

1916.09.4 British troops capture the city of Dar es Salaam, administrative center Germanic East Africa (modern-day Tanzania).

1916.09.6 The states of Central Europe create the Supreme Military Council.

1916.09.12 British and Serbian troops begin an offensive in the area of ​​Thessaloniki, but cannot help the Romanian army (until December 11).

1916.09.14 Seventh battle at Isonzo (until September 18). Italian troops are making little progress.

1916.09.15 On the Western Front, during the offensive on the Somme, Great Britain uses tanks for the first time.

1916.10.4 In Romania, the troops of Austria-Hungary and Germany conduct a successful counteroffensive against the Romanian army (until December).

1916.10.9 Eighth battle at Isonzo (until December 12). Italian troops are making minimal progress.

1916.10.16 Allied forces occupy Athens.

1916.10.24 On the Western Front, the offensive of French troops to the east of Verdun begins (lasted until November 5).

1916.11.5 The states of Central Europe proclaim the creation of the Kingdom of Poland.

1916.11.25 In Germany as a separate kind troops created an air force.

1916.12.6 In Romania, German troops occupy Bucharest (hold it until November 30, 1918).

1916.12.12 Germany sends a note to the Entente powers stating that the states of Central Europe are ready for negotiations (on December 30, the answer is sent through the US ambassador in Paris).

1916.12.13 In France, General Joffre is appointed a technical adviser to the government without the right to issue orders (he resigns on December 26).

1916.12.15 On the Western Front, French troops go over to the offensive between Meuse and Vevrey Plaine (until December 17).

1916.12.20 The President of the United States sends a note to all participants in the war in Europe with a proposal to start peace negotiations.

1917

1917.01.5 (December 23, 1916 Julian). The Mitava operation of 1916 began on December 23-29 (January 5-11, 1917). The offensive operation of the Russian troops in the Riga area by the 12th Army of the Northern Front (commander - General Radko-Dmitriev). She was opposed by the 8th German army. The offensive of the Russian troops was unexpected for the Germans. Nevertheless, they managed not only to repulse the offensive of the Russian units, but also to press them out. For Russia, the Mitava operation ended in vain (except for the loss of 23 thousand people killed, wounded and captured).

1917.02.1 Germany declares the beginning of an all-out submarine war.

1917.02.1 The Petrograd Allied Conference begins its work. Passed through Art. style January 19 - February 7 (February 1-20).

1917.02.2 The rationed distribution of bread is introduced in Great Britain.

1917.02.3 A German submarine sinks the American passenger ship "Housetonik" off the coast of Sicily. The United States breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

1917.03.11 In Mesopotamia, British troops capture Baghdad.

1917.03.14 (March 1 according to the Julian calendar). In Russia, during the outbreak of the revolution, the Petrograd Soviet, by its Order No. 1, called upon the soldiers to elect committees in the units and thus made the army uncontrollable and unable to continue fighting.

1917.03.16 On the Western Front, German troops withdraw to the Hindenburg line - a specially prepared defensive line between Arras and Soissons.

1917.03.17 On the Western Front, British troops occupy Bapom and Peronne (the offensive continued until March 18).

1917.03.19 (06 March Julian). In Russia, the Provisional Government announces that it intends to abide by the treaties concluded with the allies and wage the war to a victorious end.

1917.03.25 (March 12 Julian). Canceled in Russia the death penalty in the troops, which makes it impossible for offensive operations that pose a risk to the lives of servicemen.

1917.04.2 In the United States, President Wilson convenes a special session of Congress to discuss the issue of declaring war. On April 6, the United States declares war on Germany.

1917.04.9 On the Western Front, the battle of Vimi Riga (until April 14). Canadian troops manage to occupy Vimy Rij.

1917.04.9 The "Nivelle operation" of 1917 began, an offensive operation by the Anglo-French forces during the First World War, carried out from April 9 to May 5.

1917.04.16 (April 3, Julian calendar). Bolshevik leader Lenin arrives in Petrograd, having made with the help of German authorities moving from Switzerland to Russia via Germany, Sweden and Finland.

1917.04.17 On the Western Front, riots began in the French army (more serious riots occurred on April 29; lasted until August).

1917.05.12 (April 29 Julian). In Russia, the Minister of War A.I. Guchkov resigned due to the complete disobedience of the army.

1917.06.4 May 22 (June 4). And A. Brusilov replaces M. V. Alekseev as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

1917.06.7 The battle of Metz began on the Western Front (until June 14). British forces manage to prepare a foothold in South-East Belgium for the main offensive.

1917.06.7 Operation "Messines" began, an operation of British troops in the area of ​​Messina (West Flanders), carried out on June 7-15, 1917 with limited goals - to cut off the 15-km protrusion of the German defense and thereby improve their positions.

1917.06.14 An American mission headed by I. Ruth arrives in Petrograd to ensure the further participation of Russia in the war.

1917.06.29 June offensive of Russian troops in 1917 16 (29) June - 15 (28) July. The offensive of the Russian troops undertaken by the political and military command was defeated, among other things, because of the growing anti-war sentiment among the troops. The losses of the army amounted to 30 thousand killed, wounded and prisoners. The defeat at the front led to the July political crisis in Petrograd and the weakening of the political positions of the Provisional Government. The enemy's advance was stopped only on the line of Brody, Ebarazh, Grzhimalov, Kimpolung.

1917.07.1 June 18 / July 1. Russian offensive in Galicia (started by order of A.F. Kerensky on June 16/29 under the command of A.A.Brusilov). Having started successfully, the offensive was halted in mid-July. Counteroffensive by the Austro-German troops, which occupy Ternopil on July 11 (24). Cases of desertion are becoming more frequent in the Russian army.

1917.07.19 On the Eastern Front, the troops of Germany and Austria-Hungary undertake a successful counterattack on Russian positions (until August 4).

1917.07.19 A raid by German airships on the industrial areas of Great Britain.

1917.07.19 The German Parliament proposes to start peace negotiations between the warring powers.

1917.07.20 The battle of Maresheshti began in 1917, hostilities in July - August 1917 on the Romanian front.

1917.07.31 The third battle of Ypres began on the Western Front. Suffering huge losses, British troops advanced 13 km deep into Belgium (fighting continued until November 10).

1917.08.3 Unrest among sailors at the German military base in Wilhelmshaven.

1917.08.3 On the Eastern Front, Russian troops again capture Chernivtsi (modern Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi).

1917.08.14 China declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary.

1917.08.17 Eleventh battle at Isonzo (until September 12). The Italian troops manage to make some progress.

1917.09.1 ​​The Riga operation of 1917 began on August 19 (September 1) - August 24 (September 6). An offensive operation of the German troops undertaken with the aim of capturing Riga. It ended in success for the advancing side. On the night of August 21 (September 3), Russian troops left Riga and Ust-Dvinsk and retreated to Wenden. The losses of the defending Russian 12th Army amounted to 25 thousand people, 273 guns, 256 machine guns, 185 bombers and 48 mortars.

1917.9. 16 (September 3 old style). In the military camp of La Courtine near Limoges
(France) there was an uprising of soldiers of the Russian expeditionary corps in France; within five days of February 16-21, the camp was shot from artillery.

1917.10.12 The Moonsund operation of 1917 began, or Operation Albion, an operation by the German fleet to seize the Moonsund archipelago, carried out on September 29 (October 12) - October 6 (19).

1917.10.15 German troops undertake a new offensive in East Africa - the battle of Mahiva.

1917.10.24 The battle of Caporetto begins on the Italian front (until November 10). The troops of Austria-Hungary and Germany manage to break through the front line. Italian units create a new line of defense along the Piave River.

1917.11.6 On the Western Front, Canadian and British forces occupy Paschendael in Northwest Belgium.

1917.11.7 (Oct 25 Julian). In Petrograd, the rebels seize almost the entire capital, except Winter Palace... At night, the Military Revolutionary Committee announces the overthrow of the Provisional Government and, in the name of the Soviet, takes power into its own hands.

1917.11.8 26 Oct. (Nov 8). In Russia, the Bolsheviks issue a Decree on Peace: it contains a proposal to all belligerents to immediately begin negotiations on signing a just democratic peace without annexations and indemnities.

1917.11.20 The battle of Cambrai begins on the Western Front - the first combat operation, in which tank formations were widely used (until December 7). British tanks manage to break through the German defenses near Cambrai, northeastern France (later German forces drove the British back).

1917.11.21 (08 November Julian). Note by the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs L. Trotsky, in which all the belligerents are invited to begin peace negotiations.

1917.11.26 The Soviet government invites Germany and Austria-Hungary to conclude
truce.

1917.11.27 (November 14 Julian). German command accepts the offer to start negotiations on an armistice.

1917.12.3 (20 November Julian). In Brest-Litovsk, negotiations on an armistice between Russia and the Central European powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey) open.

1917.12.3 (20 November Julian). NV Krylenko takes possession of the Headquarters in Mogilev. N. N. Dukhonin was brutally killed by soldiers and sailors.

1917.12.15 (December 2, Julian calendar). Germanic and Russian representatives conclude an armistice in Brest-Litovsk (modern Belarusian city of Brest).

1917.12.22 (December 9, Julian calendar). Opening peace conference in Brest-Litovsk: Germany is represented by Secretary of State (Foreign Minister) Richard von Kuhlmann and General M. Hoffmann, Austria - by Foreign Minister Chernin. The Soviet delegation, headed by A. Ioffe, demands the conclusion of a peace without annexations and reparations, respecting the right of peoples to decide their own destiny.

1918

1918.01.18 05 (18) Jan. In Brest-Litovsk, General Hoffman, in the form of an ultimatum, presents the conditions of peace put forward by the Central European powers (Russia is losing its western territories).

1918.01.24 11 (24) Jan. In the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party, three positions clash regarding the negotiations in Brest-Litovsk: Lenin stands for accepting the proposed peace conditions for the sake of strengthening the revolutionary power in the country; The "left communists" headed by Bukharin advocate the continuation of the revolutionary war; Trotsky proposes an intermediate option (to end hostilities without concluding peace), for which the majority votes.

1918.01.28 (January 15, Julian). Decree on the organization of the Red Army (Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army). Trotsky is organizing it, and soon it will become a really powerful and disciplined army (voluntary recruitment has been replaced by compulsory military service, a large number of old military specialists have been recruited, the elections of officers have been canceled, political commissars have appeared in the units).

1918.02.9 (January 27 Julian). In Brest-Litovsk, a separate peace was signed between the Central European powers and the Ukrainian Rada.

1918.02.10 January 28 (February 10 Julian). Trotsky declares that "the state of war between Russia and the Central European powers is ending," realizing his formula: "no peace, no war."

1918.02.14 (January 31 Julian calendar). A new chronology is introduced in Russia - Gregorian calendar... For January 31, according to the Julian calendar, it immediately fell on February 14 according to the Gregorian calendar.

1918.02.18 After the presentation of an ultimatum to Russia, the Austro-German offensive was launched along the entire front; despite the fact that the Soviet side accepts the terms of peace on the night of February 18-19, the offensive continues.

1918.02.23 New German ultimatum with even more difficult peace conditions. Lenin manages to get the Central Committee to accept his proposal for the immediate conclusion of peace (7 "for", 4 - including Bukharin - "against", 4 abstained, among them Trotsky). The decree was adopted - the appeal "The Socialist Fatherland is in danger!" The enemy was stopped at Narva and Pskov.

1918.03.1 With the support of Germany, the Central Council returns to Kiev.

1918.03.3 The Brest Peace Treaty was signed in Brest-Litovsk. Soviet Russia and the Central European powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary) and Turkey. Under the agreement, Russia loses Poland, Finland, the Baltic States, Ukraine and part of Belarus, and also cedes Kars, Ardahan and Batum to Turkey. In general, losses amount to 1/4 of the population, 1/4 of cultivated land, about 3/4 of the coal and metallurgical industries. After the signing of the treaty, Trotsky resigns from the post of People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs and from April 8. becomes Commissar of Naval Affairs.

1918.03.3 The Bolsheviks transfer the capital of Russia from Petrograd to Moscow, moving it further away from the Russian-German front.

1918.03.9 The landing of the British in Murmansk (originally this landing was planned to repel the offensive of the Germans and their Finnish allies).

1918.03.12 Turkish troops occupy Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan (they held the city until May 14).

1918.03.21 On the Western Front, the spring offensive of the German troops begins (until July 17). As a result, the German army manages to significantly advance in the direction of Paris.

1918.03.23 German artillery uses large-caliber cannons to shell Paris from a distance of 120 km (until August 15).

1918.04.9 The Battle of Flanders began in 1918, fighting between German and Anglo-French troops in Flanders during the First World War. It happened on April 9-29.

1918.04.22 The British Navy attacks the Belgian city of Zeebrugge and blocks the entrance to the Bruges Canal and the German submarine base (on May 10, the British cruiser Vindictive was sunk at the entrance to the submarine base in Ostend).

1918.05.1 German units occupy Sevastopol.

1918.05.7 Romania signs a peace treaty with Germany and Austria-Hungary in Bucharest. Romania is allowed to annex Bessarabia, but Russia refuses to recognize its legality.

1918.05.29 On the Western Front, German troops occupy Soissons and Reims.

1918.05.29 Decree on general mobilization into the Red Army was issued in Russia.

1918.06.9 On the Western Front, the offensive of the German army begins near Compiegne (until June 13).

1918.06.15 Battle on the Piave River (until June 23). The troops of Austria-Hungary are attempting to attack the Italian positions, but are forced to retreat.

1918.07.6 During the congress, the Left Social Revolutionaries attempt to rebel in Moscow: I. Blumkin kills the new German ambassador, Count von Mirbach; F. Dzerzhinsky, chairman of the Cheka, was arrested; the telegraph is busy. The threat of a renewed war between Russia and Germany.

1918.07.15 The second battle on the Marne begins on the Western Front (until July 17). Allied forces halt the German advance on Paris.

1918.07.18 On the Western Front, the Allies launch a counteroffensive (until November 10) and advance a considerable distance.

1918.07.22 On the Western Front, allied forces cross the Marne River.

1918.08.2 On the Western Front, French troops capture Soissons.

1918.08.8 A "rainy day for the German army" begins on the Western Front. British troops break through the front line.

1918.09.1 ​​On the Western Front, British units liberate Peron.

1918.09.04 On the Western Front, German troops withdraw to the Siegfried Line.

1918.09.12 On the Western Front, the battle of Saint-Miyel begins (until September 16).
The 1st US Army, under the command of General Pershing, eliminates the German group in the St. Miyel salient.

1918.09.14 Austria-Hungary offers peace (on September 20, the Allied powers reject this offer).

1918.09.29 The German Quartermaster General Ludendorff and the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army Hindenburg support constitutional monarchy in Germany and the beginning of negotiations for peace.

1918.09.30 Bulgaria concludes an armistice with the allied powers.

1918.10.1 On the Western Front, French troops liberate Saint-Quentin.

1918.10.3 Prince Max of Baden is appointed Chancellor of Germany.

1918.10.3 Germany and Austria-Hungary through Switzerland transmit a joint note to the US government, in which they agree to conclude an armistice on the basis of 14 points announced by President Wilson (received in the US on October 4).

1918.10.6 French troops liberate Beirut.

1918.10.9 On the Western Front, British units enter Cambrai and Le Chateau.

1918.10.12 Germany and Austria-Hungary agree to the terms Woodrow Wilson and are ready to withdraw troops to their territory before negotiations on an armistice begin.

1918.10.13 French troops liberate Laon, and on October 17 the British army occupies Lille.

1918.10.20 Germany suspends submarine warfare.

1918.10.24 Battle of Vittorio Veneto (until November 2). The battle with the Italian army ends with the complete defeat of the troops of Austria-Hungary.

1918.10.26 Ludendorff is removed from the post of Quartermaster General of the German Army.

1918.10.27 Austria-Hungary asks Italy for an armistice.

1918.10.28 The uprising of the German sailors in Kiel.

1918.11.3 The Allied Powers sign an armistice with Austria-Hungary (to come into force on November 4).

1918.11.3 Rebellions and riots in Germany.

1918.11.4 The Conference of the Allied Powers at Versailles develops an Agreement on the terms of an armistice with Germany.

1918.11.6 The German armistice negotiating delegation meets the Foch-led delegation of the Allied Powers in a railway carriage in Compiegne. An armistice agreement was signed, which is to enter into force on November 11.

1918.11.6 On the Western Front, American troops occupy Sedan.

1918.11.7 The republic is proclaimed in Bavaria, Germany.

1918.11.9 In Germany, Social Democrat Philip Scheidemann proclaims a republic, seeking to forestall the creation of a communist republic. Friedrich Ebert replaces Prince Max of Baden as chancellor. Kaiser Wilhelm II flees to the Netherlands.

1918.11.10 In Germany, the Ebert government receives the support of the armed forces and the Soviets of Workers 'and Soldiers' Deputies in Berlin.

1918.11.11 The Armistice Agreement between the Allied Powers and Germany enters into force (from 11 noon).

1918.11.12 In Austria-Hungary, Emperor Charles I abdicates the throne (on November 13, he also abdicates the Hungarian throne).

1918.11.12 Austria-Hungary proclaims the creation of a state union with Germany (later this union was banned by the Paris Peace Conference and the treaties signed at Versailles, Saint-Germain and Trianon).

1918.11.13 In connection with the signing of an armistice between the Allies and Germany, the Soviet government announces the annulment of the Brest Peace Treaty.

1918.11.14 Evacuation of German troops from France.

1918.11.20 The German government surrenders submarines at Haruich, East Anglia(On November 21, the surrender of surface vessels takes place at the Firth of Fort, Scotland).

1918.12.1 Beginning of the occupation of Germany by the Allied forces.

1919.05.7 At the Paris Peace Conference, the Allied Powers set a number of unconditional conditions for Germany: to give up a significant part of their territory, demilitarize the Rhine zone and agree to its partial occupation for a period of 5 to 15 years, pay reparations, agree to limit the size of their armed forces , agree with the "war crime" clause, recognizing their responsibility for unleashing the First World War.

1919.05.29 The German delegation makes counter-proposals to the participants of the Paris Peace Conference.

1919.06.20 Due to refusal to sign a peace treaty on the terms of the allied powers German chancellor Scheidemann resigns (on June 21, Social Democrat Gustav Bauer forms a new government from representatives of Social Democrats, Centrists and Democrats).

1919.06.21 German sailors scuttled their ships at the British Naval Base in the Orkney Islands.

1919.06.22 The German National Assembly decides to sign a peace treaty.

1919.06.28 German representatives sign a peace treaty (Treaty of Versailles) in the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles near Paris.

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Timeline of World War I dates and events (1914-1918) Updated: December 3, 2016 Posted by: admin

Allies (Entente): France, Great Britain, Russia, Japan, Serbia, USA, Italy (participated in the war on the side of the Entente since 1915).

Friends of the Entente (supported the Entente in the war): Montenegro, Belgium, Greece, Brazil, China, Afghanistan, Cuba, Nicaragua, Siam, Haiti, Liberia, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica.

Question about the causes of the First World War is one of the most discussed in world historiography since the beginning of the war in August 1914.

The outbreak of the war was facilitated by the widespread strengthening of nationalist sentiments. France was hatching plans to return the lost territories of Alsace and Lorraine. Italy, even being in alliance with Austria-Hungary, dreamed of returning its lands of Trentino, Trieste and Fiume. The Poles saw in the war an opportunity to recreate a state destroyed by the divisions of the 18th century. Many peoples inhabiting Austria-Hungary aspired to national independence. Russia was convinced that it would not be able to develop without limiting German competition, protecting the Slavs from Austria-Hungary and expanding its influence in the Balkans. In Berlin, the future was associated with the defeat of France and Great Britain and the unification of the countries of Central Europe under the leadership of Germany. In London, it was believed that the people of Great Britain would live in peace only by crushing the main enemy - Germany.

In addition, international tensions were exacerbated by a series of diplomatic crises - the Franco-German clash in Morocco in 1905-1906; the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Austrians in 1908-1909; Balkan Wars in 1912-1913.

The immediate reason for the war was Sarajevo murder June 28, 1914 Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand nineteen-year-old Serbian student Gavrila Princip, who was a member of the secret organization "Young Bosnia", fighting for the unification of all South Slavic peoples in one state.

July 23, 1914 Austria-Hungary, having enlisted the support of Germany, presented Serbia with an ultimatum and demanded that its military formations be admitted to Serbian territory in order, together with Serbian forces, to suppress hostile actions.

Serbia's response to the ultimatum did not satisfy Austria-Hungary, and July 28, 1914 she declared war on Serbia. Russia, having received assurances of support from France, openly opposed Austria-Hungary and July 30, 1914 announced a general mobilization. Germany, taking advantage of this opportunity, announced August 1, 1914 war on Russia, and August 3, 1914- France. After the German invasion August 4, 1914 in Belgium Great Britain declared war on Germany.

The First World War consisted of five campaigns. During first campaign in 1914 Germany invaded Belgium and northern France, but was defeated at the Battle of the Marne. Russia captured parts of East Prussia and Galicia (East Prussian operation and Battle of Galicia), but was then defeated by the German and Austro-Hungarian counteroffensive.

Campaign of 1915 connected with the entry into the war of Italy, the breakdown the German plan withdrawal of Russia from the war and bloody fruitless battles on the Western Front.

Campaign of 1916 associated with the entry into the war of Romania and the conduct of a grueling positional war on all fronts.

Campaign of 1917 connected with the entry into the war of the United States, the revolutionary withdrawal of Russia from the war and a number of successive offensive operations on the Western Front (Operation Nivelle, operations in the Messines region, on Ypres, near Verdun, at Cambrai).

Campaign of 1918 characterized by a transition from positional defense to a general offensive by the armed forces of the Entente. From the second half of 1918, the Allies prepared and launched retaliatory offensive operations (Amiens, Saint-Miyel, Marne), during which they eliminated the results of the German offensive, and in September 1918 went over to a general offensive. By November 1, 1918, the allies liberated the territory of Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, entered the territory of Bulgaria after the armistice and invaded the territory of Austria-Hungary. On September 29, 1918, Bulgaria concluded an armistice with the allies, on October 30, 1918 - Turkey, on November 3, 1918 - Austria-Hungary, November 11, 1918 - Germany.

June 28, 1919 at the Paris Peace Conference was signed Treaty of Versailles with Germany, which officially ended the First World War of 1914-1918.

On September 10, 1919, the Saint-Germain Peace Treaty was signed with Austria; November 27, 1919 - Treaty of Neuilly with Bulgaria; June 4, 1920 - Trianon Peace Treaty with Hungary; August 20, 1920 - Peace Treaty of Sevres with Turkey.

In total, World War I lasted 1,568 days. It was attended by 38 states, in which 70% of the world's population lived. The armed struggle was fought on fronts with a total length of 2500-4000 km. The total losses of all the warring countries amounted to about 9.5 million killed and 20 million wounded. At the same time, the losses of the Entente amounted to about 6 million people killed, the losses of the Central Powers were about 4 million people killed.

During the First World War, for the first time in history, tanks, aircraft, submarines, anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns, mortars, grenade launchers, bomb throwers, flamethrowers, super-heavy artillery, hand grenades, chemical and smoke shells, and toxic substances were used. New types of artillery appeared: anti-aircraft, anti-tank, infantry escort. Aviation became an independent branch of the military, which began to be subdivided into reconnaissance, fighter and bomber. Tank troops, chemical troops, air defense troops, and naval aviation emerged. The role of engineering troops increased and the role of cavalry decreased.

The results of the First World War were the elimination of four empires: German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman, and the latter two were divided, and Germany and Russia were cut territorially. As a result, new ones appeared on the map of Europe. independent states: Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia, Finland.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources

World War I 1914-1918 became one of the bloodiest and largest conflicts in human history. It began on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 11, 1918. 38 states took part in this conflict. If we talk about the causes of the First World War, then, with confidence, it can be argued that this conflict was provoked by serious economic contradictions in the alliances of world powers that developed at the beginning of the century. It is also worth noting that, probably, there was a possibility of a peaceful settlement of these contradictions. However, feeling the increased power, Germany and Austria-Hungary moved to more decisive actions.

The participants of the First World War were:

• on the one hand, the Quadruple Alliance, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey (Ottoman Empire);
• on the other, the Entente bloc, which consisted of Russia, France, England and the allied countries (Italy, Romania and many others).

The outbreak of the First World War was provoked by the assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife by a member of the Serbian nationalist terrorist organization... The murder by Gavrila Princip provoked the conflict between Austria and Serbia. Germany supported Austria and entered the war.

Historians divide the course of the First World War into five separate military campaigns.

The beginning of the 1914 military campaign is dated July 28. On August 1, Germany, which entered the war, declares war on Russia, and on August 3 on France. German troops invade Luxembourg and later Belgium. In 1914 g. major events The First World War unfolded on the territory of France and is today known under the name "Run to the Sea". In an effort to encircle the enemy troops, both armies moved to the coast, where, as a result, the front line was closed. France retained control of the port cities. The front line gradually stabilized. The calculation of the German command for the quick capture of France was not justified. Since the forces of both sides were depleted, the war took on a positional character. These are the events on the Western Front.

Military operations on the Eastern Front began on 17 August. The Russian army launched an offensive on the eastern part of Prussia and initially it turned out to be quite successful. The victory in the Battle of Galicia (August 18) was welcomed by most of the society with joy. After this battle, the Austrian troops no longer entered into serious battles with Russia in 1914.

Events in the Balkans did not develop very well either. Belgrade, captured earlier by Austria, was recaptured by the Serbs. There were no active battles in Serbia this year. In the same year, 1914, Japan also came out against Germany, which allowed Russia to secure its Asian borders. Japan began to seize the island colonies of Germany. However, the Ottoman Empire entered the war on the side of Germany, opening the Caucasian front and depriving Russia of convenient communications with the allied countries. At the end of 1914, none of the countries participating in the conflict was able to achieve their goals.

The second campaign in the World War I chronologists dates back to 1915. The most severe military clashes took place on the Western Front. Both France and Germany made desperate attempts to turn the tide in their favor. However, the huge losses suffered by both sides did not lead to serious results. In fact, the front line had not changed by the end of 1915. Neither the spring offensive of the French in Artois, nor the operations carried out in Champagne and Artois in the fall, changed the situation.

The situation on the Russian front changed for the worse. The winter offensive of the ill-prepared Russian army soon turned into the August German counteroffensive. And as a result of the Gorlitsky breakthrough of the German troops, Russia lost Galicia and, later, Poland. Historians point out that in many ways the Great Retreat of the Russian army was provoked by a supply crisis. The front stabilized only by the fall. German troops occupied the west of the Volyn province and partially repeated the pre-war borders with Austria-Hungary. The position of the troops, the same as in France, contributed to the start of trench warfare.

1915 was marked by the entry into the war of Italy (May 23). Despite the fact that the country was a member of the Quadruple Alliance, it announced the beginning of a war against Austria-Hungary. But on October 14, Bulgaria declared war on the Entente alliance, which led to a complication of the situation in Serbia and its imminent fall.

During the 1916 military campaign, one of the most famous battles of the First World War took place - Verdun. In an effort to suppress the resistance of France, the German command concentrated huge forces in the Verdun salient, hoping to overcome the Anglo-French defense. During this operation, from February 21 to December 18, up to 750 thousand soldiers of England and France and up to 450 thousand soldiers of Germany were killed. The battle of Verdun is also known for the fact that it was first used new type weapons - a flamethrower. However, the greatest effect of this weapon was psychological. To assist the allies, an offensive operation called the Brusilov Breakthrough was undertaken on the Western Russian Front. This forced Germany to transfer serious forces to the Russian front and somewhat eased the position of the Allies.

It should be noted that military operations developed not only on land. There was a fierce confrontation between the blocs of the strongest world powers on the water. It was in the spring of 1916 that one of the main battles of the First World War took place at sea - Jutland. In general, the Entente bloc became dominant at the end of the year. The Quadruple Alliance's peace proposal was rejected.

During the 1917 military campaign, the preponderance of forces in the direction of the Entente increased even more, and the United States joined the obvious victors. But the weakening of the economies of all countries participating in the conflict, as well as the growth of revolutionary tension, led to a decrease in military activity. The German command decides on a strategic defense on the land fronts, at the same time focusing on attempts to withdraw Britain from the war using the submarine fleet. In the winter of 1916-17, there were no active hostilities in the Caucasus either. The situation in Russia has deteriorated as much as possible. In fact, after the October events, the country withdrew from the war.

1918 brought major victories to the Entente, which led to the end of the First World War.

After the actual withdrawal from the war of Russia, Germany managed to eliminate the eastern front. She made peace with Romania, Ukraine, Russia. The terms of the Brest Peace Treaty, concluded between Russia and Germany in March 1918, turned out to be the hardest for the country, but this treaty was soon canceled.

Subsequently, Germany occupied the Baltic States, Poland and partly Belarus, after which it threw all its forces to the Western Front. But, thanks to the technical superiority of the Entente, the German troops were defeated. After Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria made peace with the Entente countries, Germany was on the brink of disaster. Due to revolutionary events, Emperor Wilhelm leaves his country. On November 11, 1918, Germany signed an act of surrender.

According to modern data, losses in the First World War amounted to 10 million soldiers. There are no exact figures on civilian casualties. Presumably, due to harsh living conditions, epidemics and hunger, twice as many people died.

Following the results of the First World War, Germany had to pay reparations to the allies for 30 years. She lost 1/8 of her territory, and the colonies went to the victorious countries. The banks of the Rhine have been occupied by the Allied forces for 15 years. Also, Germany was forbidden to have an army of more than 100 thousand people. Severe restrictions were imposed on all types of weapons.

But, the Consequences of the First World War also affected the situation in the victorious countries. Their economy, with the possible exception of the United States, was in a difficult state. The standard of living of the population fell sharply, the national economy fell into decay. At the same time, the military monopolies were enriched. For Russia, the First World War became a serious destabilizing factor that largely influenced the development of the revolutionary situation in the country and caused the subsequent civil war.

The First World War began on August 1, 1914. It lasted more than 4 years (ended on November 11, 1918), 38 states took part in it, more than 74 million people fought on its fields, of which 10 million were killed and 20 million maimed. This war led to the collapse of the most powerful European states and the formation of a new political situation in the world.

On the eve of the war, relations between the strongest countries - England and Germany - worsened. Their rivalry turned into a fierce struggle for world domination, for the seizure of new territories. There were also alliances of states that were at enmity with each other.

The reason for the war was the murder on June 28, 1914 in the city of Sarajevo (in Bosnia on the Balkan Peninsula), the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand. As a result, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia a month later. On August 1, Germany declared war on Russia, on August 3 - on France and Belgium, and on August 4, England declared war on Germany. Most of the countries of the world were involved in the war. On the side of the Entente (England, France, Russia) - 34 states, on the side of Germany and Austria - 4. Military operations covered the territory of Europe, Asia and Africa, were conducted on all oceans and many seas. The main land fronts in Europe, on which the outcome of the war was decided, were the Western (in France) and the Eastern (in Russia).

In August 1914, German troops were already almost near Paris, where bloody battles were fought. A continuous front line stretched from the Swiss border to the North Sea. But Germany's hopes for a quick defeat of France failed. On August 23, Japan declared war on Germany; in October, Turkey entered the war on the side of Germany. It became clear that the war was becoming protracted.

In the rear, in many countries, people were faced with want, food supplies were no longer enough. The situation of peoples, especially of the belligerent states, has deteriorated sharply. To change the course of the war, Germany decided to apply the new kind weapons - poisonous gases.

It was very difficult to fight on two fronts. In October 1917, a revolution took place in Russia, and she withdrew from the war by signing a peace treaty with Germany. But this did not help Germany too much, her offensive on the Western Front in 1918 failed.

In August-September, the Allied armies, using their superiority in troops and equipment (in March 1918, troops from the United States, which entered the war in 1917, began to arrive on the Western Front), went on the offensive and forced German troops to withdraw from France.

In early October, Germany's position became hopeless. Defeats at the fronts, devastation led to a revolution in Germany. On November 9, the monarchy in it was overthrown, and on November 11, Germany declared itself defeated. The terms of the peace treaties with Germany and its allies were finally signed at the Paris Conference of 1919-20. Germany paid large sums of damages to the winners (except for Russia, which after October revolution left the Entente). In 1918, Austria-Hungary also disintegrated.

The First World War changed the entire map of Europe.

Dated August 1, 1914. The main reasons for the beginning of this bloody action can be called political and economic conflicts between states that were part of two military-political blocs: the Triple Alliance, which consisted of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary, and the Entente, which included Russia, France and the UK.

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Tip 2: Why Germany failed to implement the Schlieffen plan

Schlieffen's strategic plan, which assumed a quick victory for Germany in the First World War, was not implemented. But it still continues to haunt the minds of military historians, because this plan was unusually risky and interesting.

Most military historians are inclined to think that if the plan of the chief of the German general staff Alfred von Schlieffen was realized, the First World War could go completely to the scenario. But back in 1906, the German strategist was removed from his post and his followers were afraid to implement Schlieffen's idea.

Lightning War Plan

At the beginning of the last century, Germany began planning a major war. This was due to the fact that France, defeated several decades earlier, was clearly hatching plans for a military revenge. The German leadership was not particularly afraid of the French threat. But in the east it was gaining economic and military power Russia, which was an ally of the Third Republic. For Germany, there was a real danger of a war on two fronts. Realizing this well, Kaiser Wilhelm ordered von Schlieffen to develop a plan for a victorious war in these conditions.

And Schlieffen, in a fairly short time, created such a plan. According to his idea, Germany was to start the first war against France, concentrating 90% of all its armed forces in this direction. Moreover, this war was supposed to be lightning fast. The capture of Paris was given only 39 days. For the final victory - 42.

It was assumed that Russia for such short term will not be able to mobilize. After the victory over France, German troops will be transferred to the border with Russia. Kaiser Wilhelm approved the plan, saying the famous phrase: "We will have lunch in Paris, and we will have dinner in St. Petersburg."

The failure of the Schlieffen plan

Helmut von Moltke, who replaced Schlieffen with the chief of the German General Staff, took the Schlieffen plan without much enthusiasm, considering it too risky. And for this reason, he underwent a thorough revision. In particular, he refused to concentrate the main forces of the German army on the western front and, for reasons of precaution, sent a significant part of the troops to the east.

But Schlieffen planned to cover the French army from the flanks and completely encircle it. But due to the transfer of significant forces to the east, the German grouping of troops on the western front simply did not have enough funds for this. As a result, the French troops were not only not surrounded, but also managed to deliver a powerful counterattack.

The reliance on the slowness of the Russian army in terms of protracted mobilization also did not justify itself. The invasion of Russian troops into East Prussia literally stunned the German command. Germany found itself in the grip of two fronts.

Sources:

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