The narrative describes the events leading up to and during World War I, a global conflict that took place from 1914 to 1918. The war began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo, which led to a series of alliances and declarations of war among the major European powers.
The narrative highlights the rise of national consciousness in different parts of Europe, which weakened the strongest powers. The Kingdom of Sardinia, an alliance with France, defeated the Austrian Empire and achieved the unification of Italy. Prussia, planning for a German union, also defeated the Austrians and created a North German union, which later united with the states of southern Germany. They defeated France and achieved the proclamation of the German Empire in the Palace of Versailles.
The narrative also discusses the strategic alliances formed by the major powers, such as the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Germany began a colonial policy, taking over lands in Asia and Africa, which led to disagreements with the British and French colonial empires.
The narrative describes the escalation of the war, with the major powers engaging in an arms race and preparing military plans. The war became all-out, with the powerful royal fleet carrying out a naval blockade of Germany. The war also saw the first use of airplanes for bombing and air battles.
The narrative concludes with the signing of the peace treaty on November 11, 1918. The treaty imposed severe measures on Germany, including the loss of 20% of its territory and 10% of its population. The country was divided into two parts, and its colonies were divided among the victors. The war resulted in almost 18 million lives, including 8 million civilians.
1. The text begins by discussing the mid-19th century and the rise of national consciousness in different parts of Europe, which weakens its strongest powers.
2. The Kingdom of Sardinia forms an alliance with France, which defeats the Austrian Empire and achieves the unification of Italy.
3. Prussia, which has plans for a German union, also defeats the Austrians and creates a North German union.
4. Five years later, it unites with the states of southern Germany, defeats France, and achieves the proclamation of the German Empire in the Palace of Versailles.
5. Germany gains control of Alsace and Lorraine to overcome the revanchism of France.
6. Germany draws diplomatically closer to Austria-Hungary and Russia and rapidly develops its industry and army in southeast Europe.
7. The Ottoman Empire is threatened by an uprising and the historical enemy, Russia, takes advantage of this situation.
8. After the war, Russia contributes to the beginning of the Balkan states gaining independence and also annexes new territories.
9. Western countries disapprove of the growing influence of Russia and meet in Berlin to revise treaties.
10. This worsens public opinion of Germany in Russia.
11. Germany signs a defense agreement with Austria-Hungary when France, after much aspiration, finally gets Tunisia.
12. Italy joins the union and the three parties form what is called the Triple Alliance.
13. Germany, strengthened, begins a colonial policy, convenes representatives of European countries in Berlin to discuss the rules of colonization.
14. Germany takes over lands in Asia and Africa, leading to disagreements between Germany and the British and French colonial empires.
15. Facing the growing power of Germany, France and Russia sign a military agreement and create the Entente.
16. Two alliances risk dragging all of Europe into war.
17. Its strongest powers begin an arms race and prepare military plans in the southeast.
18. The Ottoman Empire is weakened by the revolution.
19. Austria-Hungary uses it and annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina.
20. This step meets with the disapproval of Russia and especially Serbia, which dreams of uniting the South Slavic people.
21. On June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, the heir to the Austrian throne, Franz Ferdinand, and his wife become victims of an assassination attempt by Bosnian Serb nationalists.
22. Austria-Hungary accuses Serbia of organizing the assassination attempt.
23. Russia defends Serbia while Germany is already the strongest world power supporting its ally Austria-Hungary.
24. On July 28, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
25. Russia responds to this by declaring a general mobilization for Germany.
26. Germany plans to quickly defeat France by outflanking its forces in a surprise northern offensive.
27. Germany declares war on Russia, invades Luxembourg, and issues an ultimatum to Belgium demanding the right of passage for its own.
28. The United Kingdom, which is the guarantor of Belgium's neutrality, declares war on Germany and sends its troops to France.
29. All the European powers of both unions enter the war, as well as Montenegro only Italy at this stage remains neutral in Asia.
30. Japan, allied with the United Kingdom, declares war on Germany and prepares to invade its territory in China and in the ocean on the eastern front.
31. Russia launches an offensive earlier than Germany expects but fails to gain a foothold in East Prussia.
32. Germany aims to isolate Belgium and take over the ports through which reinforcements and supplies arrive from Britain.
33. The Belgian army barely manages to join the allies after which a positional front is formed on both sides from the North Sea to the Swiss border.
34. Trenches are built almost 700 kilometers long.
35. The western front becomes motionless and both sides resort to all available means to strike the enemy.
36. The war becomes all-out.
37. The powerful royal fleet carries out a naval blockade of Germany.
38. Germany uses Zeppelin airships twice to bomb Paris and about 50 times to bomb England