The First World War 1914-1918
ICSE · Class 12 · History
Quick revision notes for The First World War 1914-1918 — ICSE Class 12 History. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.
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1. Main Sides and the Global Nature of the War
- The Allied or Entente Powers were Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Serbia, Belgium, Romania, the United States, and Japan.
- Britain also fought with troops from its empire, including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.
- The Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria.
2. Why the War Lasted So Long
- Many people expected a short war, but that expectation failed quickly.
- German military planners understood that the war could become long and wider than expected.
- The great powers were evenly balanced, so quick victory was difficult.
3. The Western Front in 1914
- Germany's advance was slowed by unexpectedly strong Belgian resistance.
- It took the Germans over two weeks to capture Brussels.
- This delay gave Britain time to organize and kept the Channel ports open for the British Expeditionary Force.
4. The Eastern Front and the Balkans
- Russia mobilized quickly but attacked both Austria and Germany at the same time.
- The Germans brought Hindenburg out of retirement and defeated Russia at Tannenberg in August 1914 and at the Masurian Lakes in September 1914.
- By the end of 1914, Russia had six and a quarter million men mobilized, but a third were without rifles.
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