# data[].attributes.body
What led up to the war began with France and Germany fighting for who would inherit the Spanish throne. As result, Germany managed to win the war which put them in a powerful position.

# data[].attributes.body
While Germany was still growing, Otto von Bismark decided to further strengthen Prussia by forming alliances with Austria-Hungary and later, Italy, forming the Triple Alliance.

In fear, France has also allied with Russia and Great Britain, forming the Triple Entente.

# data[].attributes.body
The Balkan wars first began when the Balkan League decided that they should have their own nation, and because of this, they eventually fought and kicked the Ottomans out.

In the Second Balkan War, civil war began, and people fought over who should be in charge.

Russia and Austria-Hungary took this chance to have influence over the Balkans.

# data[].attributes.headline
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

# data[].attributes.subject
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

# data[].attributes.body
Black Hand members shot him to death

In response, Austria-Hungary demanded Serbia to give up their freedom and be apart of their empire.

The Serbians did not agree and allied themselves with Russia

# data[].attributes.body
When Serbia refused, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

Russia decided to step in and help Serbia.

In response, Germany declared war on Russia.

France later also declared war on Russia becuase of their alliance.

# data[].attributes.body
Germany is stuck in war between Russia and France but luckily for them, they had prepared a two-front war (called The Schlieffen Plan) to first attack France

In order to do that, they would have to go through Belgium

However, Belgium refused in fear of losing their independence but Germany coerced the country anyway

Which started the Rape of Belgium

Many civilians were killed and building landmarks were destroyed.

# data[].attributes.body
The Germans had operated the Schlieffen Plan and had attacked France hoping they would give up easily and be prepared to fight Russia

However a stalemate occured which lasted several years

both sides dug trenches for defense

By that time, Russia was ready for war.

But their army was poorly trained and lacked the resources and equipment to defeat Germany.

This resulted in their defeat and the loss of many Russian soldiers.

# data[].attributes.body
The British then began a blockade of German ports, making it difficult to transport goods and slowing the Germans down

In response, Germany planted mines and sent out submarines to sink any ship that sailed the North Sea.

Later, the Japanese decided to enter the war, hoping to claim status, and joined the Allies (Triple Entente).

Chinese laborers were also introduced to Europe

They didn't fight in war but they contributed in digging trenches and repair equipment

# data[].attributes.body
You know who has been awfully quiet? America.

During this time, the US was selling supplies to both the Allies and Central Powers (the renamed names of the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance).

They also lent them money.

However, the US favored the Allies.

# data[].attributes.body
During WWI, innovations were superb.

Tanks, airplanes, machine guns, poison gas, submarines, and long-range artillery guns were all threats to human life.

Soldiers not only suffered visible wounds, but also psychological wounds

Became known as the "Shell Shock," modern day known as Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Symptoms include shaking hands, constant twitching, flashbacks to battle, inability to speak, loss of contact with reality, and fear of unexpected sounds.

# data[].attributes.body
After Germany decided to be jerks and torpedoed the RMS Lusitania, a passenger ship consisting of American citizen

but unbeknownst, it was also carrying ammunitions which Germany said no to (which was the reason why they got torpedoed in the first place)

And again in 1916, the German U-boats (Unterseeboats) sunk the Sussex ship, also carrying US civilians.

Germany had also asked Mexico to declare war on the US (the Zimmerman Telegram), which further angered the president of the United States.

The US became enraged and entered the war on the Ally side.

# data[].attributes.body
Soldiers were not particularly happy with the conditions they had to live in during war.

Life was tedious.

There were always possible chances of death

Diseases were easily spread because of the harsh conditions

Regular rain occured, meaning it was always muddy

And it was hard to avoid hypothermia.

# data[].attributes.body
German and British soldiers were not always at war

On Christmas day in 1914, both parties crawled out of their trenches and started singing Christmas carols

They got along and exchanged souvenirs, cigars, and candy.

The higher-ups were deeply enraged and spoke out that similar events should never happen in the future, and combat quickly resumed.

# data[].attributes.body
Germany helped a young exiled radical return to Russia, Lenin.

He started the October Revolution and fought to become the new leader of Russia.

Eventually, he won.

His goal was to end WWI and pull the Russians out, and on March 3rd, he signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, surrendering Russia's control over Poland, Ukraine, Finland, and the Baltics.

He was able to focus on building a communist state after that and the Soviet Union and completely take over Russia.

# data[].attributes.body
This battle was the last engagement of WWI

The U.S. had sent hundreds of thousands of troops to join the British and French to force Germany out of the French territory, which they successfully did.

Things started to look bad for Germany

Massive food shortages, deserting soldiers, spread of civil unrest were happening

A new socialist party took advantage and forced Kaiser to abdicate and created a Republic

After this movement, they believed that they no longer could win the war, and things started to quiet down.

# data[].attributes.body
WWI ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which was an agreement to cease-fire and have peace

However, because Germany had done the most damages, they were subjected to

Give up their territory

Demilitarize

War Reparations