The First World War by Daphne Van den Broeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf Timeline Assignment - Daphne Van den Broeck en-us 2021-11-02 16:18:35 UTC 2025-11-22 23:57:26 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f1ec-1f1e7.png The First World War in a nutshell (part 1) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865230430 This is a short and wildly oversimplified summary of the First World War. ]]> 2021-11-03 16:26:12 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865230430 Causes of war and the assassination of Franz-Ferdinand (June 28th, 1914) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865775728 Archduke Franz-Ferdinand, of Austria-Hungary, is assassinated on June 28th, 1914. The assassination was carried out by a Bosnian Serb nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. This event was the direct cause of the Great War. However, it was not the only cause; there were several underlying factors that indirectly helped cause the war.

The first was the fact that Germany had been establishing its power on the world stage, it had been expanding its military power in a surge of nationalism.

The second was the complicated structure of alliances between nations. This would soon cause a chain reaction, as one country after another would be dragged into the war as the result of an alliance. 

(https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I)]]> 2021-11-03 20:20:48 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865775728 War is declared (August 4th, 1914) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865780625 Because of the intricate system of alliances, many nations were soon involved in a war that did not actually have anything to do with them. 
There were two major opposing sides: the Triple Alliance, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary and their allies, and the Triple Entente, consisting of France, Great Britain and Russia.

At the start of the war, morale was high. People felt excited about the war, as war was often good for a nation's economy and sense of nationalism. Besides, people expected a traditional, heroic and noble war fought on a battlefield. This, however, was not the case. 
(https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zqhyb9q/articles/znhhrj6)]]> 2021-11-03 20:23:49 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865780625 Sources used: daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865842067 https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zqhyb9q/articles/znhhrj6
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zqhyb9q/articles/zhw3jhv
https://www.britannica.com/event/First-Battle-of-the-Marne
https://www.worldwar-1.co.uk/first-battle-of-the-marne/
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/gallipoli
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01fmksl
https://www.britannica.com/summary/First-Battle-of-the-Somme
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/41904621
https://www.historyonthenet.com/us-involvement-in-ww1
https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/armistice-day-celebrations-1918/
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g5/cs2/background.htm
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-real-story-of-the-christmas-truce
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/9-poets-of-the-first-world-war
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cVSjzuvThE]]> 2021-11-03 21:06:31 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865842067 The Von Schlieffenplan: Germany's ambitious takeover (August 1914) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865857673 Germany had created a strategy of warfare with the help of Alfred von Schlieffen. In short, he stated that most of the German troops should be sent to take down France first, and then move on to Russia. He based this statement on the fact that Russia was very large, both in geography as well as population, and was behind on industrial development. This meant that it would take the Russians quite long to mobilise their army, as the railroad network was quite sparse.

This plan eventually did not work, as the German troops could not invade France as easily as they had anticipated. This led to the creation of a trench network; in order for the troops not to lose their ground and to protect themselves, they dug themselves in during the first battle of the Marne. The Western front had gotten stuck. Meanwhile, the German had to start fighting the Russians on the Eastern front as well. 

(https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I/Technology-of-war-in-1914)]]> 2021-11-03 21:17:52 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865857673 Armistice Day (November 11th, 1918) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865884763 The troups of the Central Powers were exhausted and the Allies, with the help of the U.S., had launched the Hundred Days' Offensive. This caused a withdrawal of German troops. The Germans soon realised that their situation was hopeless. 

After peace talks had gone on for three days, a German delegation sat down to sign the armistice in a railway carriage. 
The Armistice was signed near Compiègne at 11:00 AM on November 11th, 1918 by the Allies and Germany. Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary had signed previous armistices. 

The conditions were quite harsh on Germany, they were forced to surrender all their forces and weaponry. They also had to leave the Rhineland and release all Allied prisoners. Meanwhile, the Allies would occupy the Rhineland and would maintain the naval blockade of Germany. 

Officially, the end of the war is marked by the signing of the peace treaty in Versailles, but many people see November 11th, 1918, as the real end of the war.
(https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/armistice-day-celebrations-1918/)]]> 2021-11-03 21:38:08 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865884763 The involvement of the US (April 6th, 1917) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865885972 The United States, under the leadership of Woodrow Wilson, was determined to stay neutral to the war in Europe. He even won the re-election in 1916 with the slogan 'he has kept us out of war'. 
At the beginning of the war, the US-European trade increased, especially with the UK. 

German submarines sinking ships containing Americans caused the US to turn against Germany. The most famous example is the Lusitania, which was sunk in 1915. 1200 people died, including 128 Americans. 
The sinkings led to a movement called the “Preparedness Campaign”, whose advocates wanted an expanded and well-trained US Army and Navy in the event that America were to join the war. 
Wilson tried to calm the increasingly pro-war passions of Americans. 

Between 1914 and 1917, American production greatly increased, especially steel production. American exports quadrupled and American loans helped finance the Allied war effort. America went from being a debtor nation to a creditor nation.

In February, 1917, Germany announced they would resume unrestricted submarine warfare. 
On March 1st, President Wilson made the “Zimmermann Telegram” public, this was a message that had been sent by the German foreign minister to Mexico. He had proposed that Mexico wage war on the US, with German support. In return, Mexico would receive the states of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico as compensation. 

On April 6th, 1917, the U. S. formally declared war on Germany. 
(https://www.historyonthenet.com/us-involvement-in-ww1)]]> 2021-11-03 21:39:07 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865885972 The Russian Revolution (February 24th-October, 1917) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865886745 The Russian Revolution happened during the First World War, as a result of said war. On February 24th, riots broke out in St. Petersburg. People were angry that there was very little food available and the war was having a bad effect on the country. 

The Tsar stepped down and a provisional government took over. However, in October there was again a revolution of the Bolsheviks with Lenin as their leader. This revolution introduced communism in Russia, which forever changed the political world.
(https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/41904621)]]> 2021-11-03 21:39:44 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865886745 The First Battle of the Marne (September 6-12, 1914) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865890565 The Germans had invaded Belgium and were advancing into France. They were within 30 miles/48 km of Paris, while the Allied troops had fallen back towards the Marne River.

Field Marshal Sir John French, commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), wanted and had planned a full British retreat to port cities for an immediate evacuation of the British forces. However, Joseph Simon Gallieni, the military governor of Paris, wanted the French and British armies to fight back against the German advance.

His plan was as follows: all Allied forces would counter-attack the Germans along the Marne River, thereby halting their advance. As this was going on, Allied reserves would be supplied to restore the ranks and attack the German flanks.

On September 5th, battle commenced when the French Sixth Army ran into the forward guard of the German First Army. By September 9th, it appeared as though the Germans would be completely encircled and defeated.

The retreating German armies were chased by the French and British, somewhat slowly. The German armies ceased their retreat after 40 miles/65 km. They dug in north of the Aisne River, preparing trenches. This meant the abandonment of the Von Schlieffenplan. 

(https://www.britannica.com/event/First-Battle-of-the-Marne)
(https://www.worldwar-1.co.uk/first-battle-of-the-marne/)
40 miles
]]> 2021-11-03 21:42:41 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865890565 Aftermath: the Treaty of Versailles (June 28th, 1919) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865901585 The treaty of Versailles was the official treaty to end the war. Its terms were made up completely by the Allies, Germany was not consulted at all and had no say in the matter. Germany was not given much of a choice other than to sign the treaty.

In a nutshell, Germany was blamed for the war, and would have to pay an enormous amount for damages. 
Also, Germany's military power was greatly reduced; their army was limited to 100,000 men; they were not allowed to own aircraft, submarines or armoured vehicles, and the Rhineland became a demilitarised zone. 

Finally, Germany lost many territories to France and other nations. The League of Nations was set up as an international force for peace. 

When the Treaty terms were announced in June 1919, there was a mixed reaction among the British people. The general opinion was that the terms were fair and should probably have been more severe. Any complaints by the Germans were dismissed as trickery and play-acting. 

When Prime Minister David Lloyd George returned from Paris in June 1919, he received a hero's welcome. The king came out to meet him at the railway station, which was completely unheard of in British history.
(https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g5/cs2/background.htm)]]> 2021-11-03 21:51:26 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1865901585 Propaganda: social media's ancestor (1914-1916) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867312192 In order to have the manpower needed to fight and win the war, propaganda was used in Great Britain. Propaganda was used in the form of posters and was meant to excite people about the war, because, if people were excited, they would enlist. 

Most posters focused on making the war look like a noble and heroic cause. Figures that represented heroism and nationalism, such as John Bull, were often depicted. However, people were often manipulated into thinking it was their duty to fight, and if they didn't, they would be branded a coward. 

As for the newspapers, they were prohibited from writing about what happened at the front, at first. Though, this didn't stop some journalists, who travelled to the front in secret. Later, they were allowed to write about the goings-on at the front, so long as they would not write things the enemy might benefit from. People were interested in knowing what went on at the front.

In August, 1916, a film was shown in British theatres about the battle of the Somme. Not all bits were real, some were acted out. However shocking, it was the first time the public got to see what life at the front really looked like.

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zqhyb9q/articles/zhw3jhv)]]> 2021-11-04 12:43:57 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867312192 The Gallipoli campaign (April 25th 1915-January 9th 1916) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867330803 Gallipoli was the first major amphibious operation in modern warfare. The Allies had planned to attack the Ottoman Empire after getting stuck on the Western front. They figured it would help to alleviate the strain on Russia if they would take over Constantinople, this would also allow a supply route to Russia to be opened up. 

Because the Dardanelles were strategically important, they were well-defended by the Ottomans, with minefields and fortifications. Besides, the Ottomans had received word that an attack might happen in the area, which caused the Allies to lose the element of surprise. 

After several bloody offensives had resulted in a stalemate, the Allies knew they would not succeed in taking over the Dardanelles. A new leader was appointed to the campaign and after fighting in appalling conditions, the troops were evacuated with minimal losses.

Out of around 500,000 men, the Allies lost around 220,000 men. The Ottomans suffered a similar amount of losses, but due to their victory, their war effort was strengthened.
(https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/gallipoli)]]> 2021-11-04 12:52:09 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867330803 The first gas attacks (April 22nd, 1915) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867333753 The Great War forever changed the way war would be waged. New inventions were being introduced, such as machine guns, tanks and gas.

Before the war, official rules concerning the conduct of warfare had been established. Gas attacks were not allowed, this did not stop the Germans from doing so. 
On April 22nd, 1915, the Germans first deployed a new chemical weapon: chlorine. After this, both sides worked on developing more deadly gases; mustard gas for example was deployed later on, which not only attacked the lungs, but also the skin. 
The use of gas had a massive impact on soldiers' morale, as it added to the constant fear they felt of being shot, bombed and now also, choked by gas.
(https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01fmksl)

]]> 2021-11-04 12:53:30 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867333753 The battle of the Somme (July 1st-November 13th, 1916) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867340261 The Allied forces lauched an attack against entrenched German troops north of the Somme River in France. After a weeklong bombardment, there followed a British infantry assault. 
Nearly 20,000 British soldiers were killed on the first day.

The Allies barely gained any territory, around 5 miles/8 km, and due to the heavy rainfall in October, the battlefield became almost impassable. 
The battle became a representation of futility and useless fighting, as many were killed on both sides while yielding practically no result.
(https://www.britannica.com/summary/First-Battle-of-the-Somme)]]> 2021-11-04 12:56:13 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867340261 The First World War in a nutshell (part 2) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867392561 This is a short and wildly oversimplified summary of the First World War. ]]> 2021-11-04 13:17:48 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867392561 The Christmas Truce (December 24th, 1914) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867826045 On Christmas Eve 1914, British troops heard the German troops singing carols on the opposite side of No-Man's-Land. They saw lanterns and small fir trees, and they started shouting messages. 

The next day, the British and German troops met in No-Man's-Land to take photographs, exchange gifts, and play impromptu football games. They also repaired trenches and buried the dead. 

The truce did not happen everywhere along the Western front, in other places the fighting did go on. Officers were worried about the truce undermining the soldiers' fighting spirit. 
These kinds of truces were held more often, not only on Christmas. 
(https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-real-story-of-the-christmas-truce)]]> 2021-11-04 15:53:18 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867826045 Poets of WWI (1914-1918) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867844894 During the war, many soldiers spent years in trenches in horrible conditions. Many experienced shell-shock. In order to keep sane, many wrote in a diary or wrote poems.
The war has given us many tragic poems that sketch a lifelike image of being stuck in those trenches yourself. 

Some good examples of wartime poets are Rupert Brooke, Robert Graves and Wilfred Owen. 
This article provides a number of good examples of wartime poets.
(https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/9-poets-of-the-first-world-war)]]> 2021-11-04 15:59:46 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867844894 Women: the driving power behind the scenes (1914-1918) daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867893354 While the men went off to war, many women took over their jobs. They started working as nurses, munitionettes, clerks, government workers, and even soldiers. The Great War had a major impact on the role of women in society. This video provides more detail on the role of women in WWI.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cVSjzuvThE)]]> 2021-11-04 16:18:18 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867893354 How harsh was the Treaty of Versailles really? daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867912570 This video compares the Treaty of Versailles with other treaties of that time, in order to determine how fair it was. ]]> 2021-11-04 16:25:56 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867912570 The Christmas Truce daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867937412 A depiction of the Christmas Truce, Sainsbury's Christmas ad.]]> 2021-11-04 16:35:52 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867937412 Weapons of WWI daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867956497 This video goes into detail about some of the new weapons that were introduced in World War I.]]> 2021-11-04 16:43:35 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1867956497 Armistice Day celebration daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868300268 2021-11-04 19:19:02 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868300268 The First Battle of the Marne daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868313202 2021-11-04 19:26:07 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868313202 The Von Schlieffenplan daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868314654 2021-11-04 19:27:00 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868314654 The First Battle of the Marne daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868316523 2021-11-04 19:28:11 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868316523 Propaganda: social media's ancestor daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868318903 2021-11-04 19:29:41 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868318903 Propaganda: social media's ancestor daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868325451 2021-11-04 19:33:51 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868325451 The Christmas Truce daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868342183 2021-11-04 19:44:23 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868342183 The first gas attacks daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868343987 2021-11-04 19:45:29 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868343987 The Treaty of Versailles daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868345841 2021-11-04 19:46:40 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868345841 The arrest of Gavrilo Princip daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868347861 2021-11-04 19:47:52 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868347861 32 Colourized images of WWI daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868350501 https://allthatsinteresting.com/world-war-1-in-color#1]]> 2021-11-04 19:49:28 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1868350501 Indian soldiers fighting on behalf of the British Empire daphnebroeck https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1869634411 2021-11-05 10:27:01 UTC https://padlet.com/daphnebroeck/gzt5p3twa9c1e0tf/wish/1869634411