World War One

The war that was going to be "over by Christmas" however dragged on for four very long years.

On June 29th 1914 Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand who was heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire. Serbia was blamed and due to the alliances made in Europe - Hungary/Germany/Italy and Britain/France/Russia - it all lead to a fully blown out war. Britain declared war after Germany had invaded Belgium on August 4th. 

• Japan joins the allies and the Ottoman empire joins the central powers. 
• Women begin to take on and replace men's jobs - such as the woman's land army,
• Conscription for men between 18 and 41
• United States joins the allies
• Germany launch a major offensive on the French front. 
• Britain has a successful counter-offensive at the Marne and Amiens. 
• The war ends on November 11th at 11am after an Armistice is signed. 
• The Treaty of Versailles on June 28th 1919 between the Allies and Germany. 

Information from x and Euan's lecture.