Table on the history of the beginning of the First World War. Events of the First World War

Until the beginning of the 20th century, mankind experienced a series of wars in which many states took part and large territories were covered. But only this war was called the First World War. It was dictated by the fact that this military conflict has become a global war. Thirty-eight of the fifty-nine independent states that existed at that time were involved in it to one degree or another.

Causes and start of the war

At the beginning of the 20th century, the contradictions between the two European coalitions of European states - the Entente (Russia, England, France) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy) - intensified. They were caused by the intensification of the struggle for the redistribution of already divided colonies, spheres of influence and markets. Having begun in Europe, the war gradually acquired a global character, covering the Far and Middle East, Africa, the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Indian oceans.

The reason for the start of the war was the terrorist attack committed in June 1914 in the city of Sarajevo. Then a member of the Mlada Bosna organization (a Serbian-Bosnian revolutionary organization that fought for the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Greater Serbia) Gavrilo Princip killed the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with unacceptable ultimatum terms, which were rejected. As a result, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia stood up for Serbia, true to its obligations. France promised to support Russia.

Germany demanded that Russia stop the mobilization actions, which were continued, as a result, on August 1, she declared war on Russia. Germany declares war on France on August 3, and on Belgium on August 4. Great Britain declares war on Germany and sends troops to help France. August 6 - Austria-Hungary vs. Russia.

In August 1914, Japan declared war on Germany, in November Turkey entered the war on the side of the Germany-Austria-Hungary bloc, and in October 1915 Bulgaria entered the war.

Italy, which initially held a position of neutrality, in May 1915, under British diplomatic pressure, declared war on Austria-Hungary, and on August 28, 1916, on Germany.

Main events

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

The results of the war

The main result of the First World War was huge human losses. In total, more than 10 million people died, with a significant part of the losses being civilians. As a result, hundreds of cities were destroyed, the economies of the participating countries were undermined.

The result of the war was the collapse of four empires - the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, German and Russian. Only the British Empire survived.

Literally everything has changed in the world - not only relations between states, but also their inner life. Human life, clothing style, fashion, women's hairstyles, musical tastes, norms of behavior, morality, social psychology, the relationship between the state and society have changed. The First World War led to an unprecedented devaluation of human life and the emergence of a whole class of people who were ready to solve their own and social problems at the cost of violence. Thus ended the period of modern history, and mankind entered another historical epoch.

Timeline of World War I dates and events (1914-1918)

1914

06/28/1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife are killed in an assassination attempt in Sarajevo. The assassination was carried out by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip, a 17-year-old student associated with the nationalist Serbian organization Black Hand.

1914.07.5 Germany promises support to Austria-Hungary in case of conflict with Serbia.

07/23/1914 Austria-Hungary, suspecting Serbia of participating in the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, announces an ultimatum to Serbia.

07/24/1914 Edward Gray proposes four great powers as mediators in the settlement of the Balkan crisis. Serbia turns to Russia for help.

07/25/1914 Serbia announces mobilization into the army. Germany pushes Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.

07/26/1914 Austria-Hungary announces general mobilization and concentrates troops on the border with Russia.

1914.07.30 In Russia, mobilization into the army was announced (at first, the option of partial mobilization was considered so as not to scare Germany, but it soon became clear that then planned mobilization would fail if it still had to be resorted to. So the government took a step after which it was already impossible to stop ).

07/1914/31 Germany demands from Russia to stop conscription into the army. France, Austria-Hungary and Germany are mobilizing. Great Britain requires Germany to observe the neutrality of Belgium.

08/1914 Germany declares war on Russia. The First World War begins.

August 1, 1914 Germany and Türkiye sign an agreement in Constantinople.

August 2, 1914 Germany occupies Luxembourg and demands that Belgium let its troops through.

1914.08.2 Russia invades East Prussia.

August 2, 1914 Italy declares its neutrality in the European conflict.

2 August 1914 Germany declares war on France.

1914.08.4 The full-time Prussian operation began - an offensive operation (August 4 (17) - September 2 (15), 1914) of Russian troops, which were tasked with inflicting

the defeat of the 8th German Army and the capture of East Prussia.

08/4/1914 German troops invade Belgium.

08.4 1914 Great Britain declares war on Germany and sends warships to the North Sea, the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea in order to blockade the states of Central Europe.

08/4/1914 President Wilson declares US neutrality with regard to the war in Europe.

On August 5, 1914, the German 2nd Army reaches Liege, where it meets fierce resistance from the Belgian troops (the battle lasted until August 16).

08/6/1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.

08/6/1914 Serbia and Montenegro declare war on Germany.

08/8/1914 British troops land in France.

August 8, 1914 British and French troops occupy the German protectorate of Togoland (the territory of modern Togo and the Volta region in the Republic of Ghana).

08/1914 France declares war on Austria-Hungary.

08/1914 The German cruisers Breslau and Goeben in the Mediterranean manage to slip past the British ships and enter the Black Sea, where they were then sold to Turkey to replace the ships captured by England.

08/1914 Great Britain declares war on Austria-Hungary.

08/14/1914 Russia promises autonomy for that part of Poland that is part of Russia in exchange for Poles' help in the war.

08/1914 Japan sends an ultimatum to Germany demanding that troops be withdrawn from the German-owned port of Jiaozhou in China.

08/1914/20 Germany occupies Brussels.

1914.08.20 (August 7 O.S.). Meeting battle between the Russian and German armies near the city of Gumbinnen.

08/21/1914 The British government announces the creation of the first "New Army", formed from volunteers.

08/21/1914 The battle at Charleroi begins (August 21-25) - the British and French troops retreat.

08/22/1914 Retired General Paul von Hindenburg is appointed commander of the German Eighth Army in East Prussia.

08/23/1914 Russian victory at Frankenau in East Prussia.

08/23/1914 The Lublin-Kholm operation began, the offensive of the 4th and 5th Russian armies of the Southwestern Front against the 1st and 4th Austro-Hungarian ones. It continued on 10-12 (23-25) August.

08/23/1914 Japan declares war on Germany.

08/26/1914 Changes in the French Cabinet. General Gallieni is appointed governor of Paris.

08/26/1914 Germany defeats Russia at the Battle of Tannenberg in East Prussia (until 28 August).

08/27/1914 German General Otto Liman von Sanders is appointed commander-in-chief of the Turkish army.

08/28/1914 The British fleet under the command of David Beatty raids Helgoland Bay.

08/28/1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium.

1914.08.30 Germany captures Amiens.

1914.09.1 ​​The capital of Russia, St. Petersburg, is renamed Petrograd.

1914.09.2 The French government moves to Bordeaux.

1914.09.3 German troops cross the Marne.

1914.09.5 Battle of the Marne (until September 10). From September 10 to 12, German troops retreated, trying to establish a front line along the Aisne River. By the end of the battle on the Western Front, the parties switched to positional warfare.

September 5, 1914 In London, France, Russia and Great Britain agree not to enter into separate peace negotiations with the other side.

1914.09.6 Battle in the Masurian Marshes, East Prussia (until September 15). The German units pushed back the Russian troops.

1914.09.8 Battle of Lvov (until September 12). Russian troops occupy Lvov, the fourth largest city in Austria-Hungary.

1914.09.13 The offensive of the French and British armies continued on the Aisne River in northern France (left tributary of the Oise River) (September 13-15, 1914)

09/1914 Allies liberate Reims.

09/1914 Erich von Falkenhayn succeeds Helmuth von Moltke as commander-in-chief of the German army.

1914.09.15 Battle of the Aisne (until September 18). Allies attack German positions. The infantry begins to dig trenches.

09/15/1914 In the Pacific region, in German New Guinea, German units surrender to British troops.

1914.09.17 "Run to the sea" was called the operation, when the Allied and German troops tried to outflank each other (until October 18). As a result, the Western Front stretched from the North Sea through Belgium and France to Switzerland.

09/1914/18 Paul von Hindenburg is appointed commander of all German troops on the Eastern Front.

1914.9. The August operation (first) began - an offensive operation in September - October 1914 in the area of ​​​​the Polish city of Augustow of the Russian armies against the German army.

09/27/1914 Russian troops cross the Carpathians and invade Hungary.

09/27/1914 The city of Douala in German Cameroon is captured by British and French troops.

09/28/1914 The first battle for Warsaw (until October 27) - Warsaw-Ivangorod operation. German and Austrian troops attack Russian positions from the south, but are forced to retreat.

1914.10.1 Türkiye closes the Dardanelles to ships.

10/9/1914 Antwerp is captured by German troops.

10/1914 On the Western Front, the first battle begins at Ypres, Belgium, during which the German units are trying to break through the defenses of the allied forces (until November 11).

10/14/1914 The first Canadian units arrive in England.

10/17/1914 During the battle on the Ysere in Belgium (Western Front), attempts by German troops to reach the ports of the English Channel were repelled (until October 30).

10/17/1914 The first units of the Australian Expeditionary Force set sail for France.

10/20/1914 The Battle of Flanders began in 1914, fighting between German and Anglo-French troops in Flanders during the First World War. Continued October 20 - November 15.

10/29/1914 Turkish ships shell Odessa and Sevastopol.

1914.11.1 Battle of Coronel (Chile). The German squadron under the command of Maximilius von Spee defeats the British naval forces.

11/2/1914 Russia declares war on Turkey.

November 5, 1914 France and Great Britain declare war on Turkey.

November 5, 1914 Naval battle near Cape Sarych (Southern coast of Crimea) between the German battlecruiser Goeben under the command of Rear Admiral V. Souchon and the Russian squadron of five battleships under the command of Admiral A. A. Ebergard.

11.5 1914 Great Britain annexes Cyprus, which it occupied in June 1878.

11/9/1914 The German warship Emden sank off the Cocos Islands.

11/11/1914 The Lodz operation of 1914 began on October 29 (November 11) - November 11 (24). The command of the German army, holding down the 2nd and 5th Russian armies with attacks from the front, tried to encircle and defeat the Russian troops in the Lodz region by striking their flank with the forces of the 9th army. The Russian forces managed not only to resist this blow, but also to push back the enemy.

11/18/1914 On the Eastern Front, German troops break through the defenses of Russian troops in the Kutno area.

11/18/1914 The French government returns to Paris.

1914.11.19 The battle began on the Bzura River (November 19 - December 20) between the Austro-German and Russian troops during the First World War of 1914-1918.

11/21/1914 Indian troops occupy the Turkish city of Basra.

11/23/1914 The British navy shells Zeebrugge.

December 2, 1914 Voting on war credits takes place in the German Reichstag. Karl Liebknecht votes against.

On December 5, 1914, on the Eastern Front, Austrian troops defeat the Russian army at Limakova, but they fail to break through the defenses at Krakow (both battles continued until December 17).

12/6/1914 German troops capture Lodz on the Eastern Front.

1914.12.8 Battle of the Falkland Islands, the British navy under the command of Admiral Frederick Sturdee destroys the German squadron.

12/1914 Great Britain declares Egypt its protectorate (December 18, Khedive Abbas II loses power and Prince Hussein Kemel becomes his successor).

1914.12.21 The first German air raid on England (a bomb attack was made on the south coast).

1914.12.22 (December 9 according to the Julian calendar). The Sarykamysh operation began: the Turkish army unsuccessfully tried to attack the positions of Russian troops in the Caucasus. The operation ended on January 4 (17), 1915.

12/26/1914 The German government announces control over the supply and distribution of food.

1915

1915.01.3 On the Western Front, Germany begins to use shells filled with gas.

January 8, 1915 On the Western Front, heavy fighting is going on in the area of ​​the Basse Canal and near Suasoc in France (until February 5).

01/1915/13 South African troops occupy Swakopmund in German South West Africa.

1915 January 18 Japan makes "21 demands" on China.

01/1915/19 First German airship raid on England. Seaports in East Anglia are being bombed.

01/23/1915 A fierce battle between Russian and Austro-Hungarian troops in the Carpathians continues on the Eastern Front (until mid-April).

1915.01.24. In the North Sea at Dogger Bank, the English fleet destroys the German cruiser Blucher.

01/25/1915 The August operation (second) begins - the offensive on January 25 - February 13, 1915 in the Augustow region of the German armies against the Russian army.

01/1915/30 Germany begins to use submarines in the war. The port of Le Havre on the northern coast of France is under attack.

02/3/1915 In the Turkish Empire, British troops begin their advance along the Tigris River in Mesopotamia.

1915.02.4 Germany declares a submarine blockade of England and Ireland (beginning February 18). She warns that she will consider any foreign ship in the area as her legitimate target.

February 4, 1915 In Egypt, the Turks repulse the attack of the allied forces in the direction of the Suez Canal.

1915.02.4 The British Foreign Office declares that any ship carrying grain to Germany will be intercepted by the British Navy.

February 8, 1915 On the Eastern Front, during the winter battle in Masuria, the troops of Germany and Austria-Hungary force the Russian army to retreat (ends on February 22).

1915.02.10 The US government announces that Germany will be liable for any damage to the US Navy and American citizens.

1915.02.16 On the Western Front, French artillery conducts a massive bombardment of German positions in Champagne, France (until February 26).

February 1915, 17 On the Eastern Front, German troops recapture the city of Memel in Northwestern Germany (modern Lithuanian city of Klaipeda) from Russian troops.

02/1915 British and French naval formations shell Turkish fortifications at the entrance to the Dardanelles.

02/1915/20 The first Prasnysh operation began, one of the operations of the troops of the Russian North-Western Front against German troops in the Prasnysh region (now Prshasnysh, Poland) in February - July 1915.

March 9, 1915 Alexander Parvus presents the Plan of the Russian Revolution to the leadership of Germany - a program of subversive activities aimed at overthrowing the existing system in Russia.

1915.03.10 On the Western Front, a battle takes place near the village of Neuve Chapelle (until March 13). As a result, British and Indian troops capture this settlement in North-East France.

1915.03.18 In Turkey, British and French naval formations try to break through the Dardanelles, but Turkish coastal batteries repulse the attack. During the battle, three main ships of the allied squadron were sunk.

03/21/1915 German airships bomb Paris.

03/22/1915 On the Eastern Front, Russian troops capture Przemysl (in the Polish lands in the north-east of Austria-Hungary).

1915.04.8 The beginning of the deportation of Armenians from Turkey, accompanied by their mass extermination.

04/22/1915 On the Western Front near the town of Langemark on Ypres, German troops use poison gases for the first time: the second battle of Ypres begins. During the offensive operation, German troops break through the front in Southwestern Belgium and move forward 5 kilometers (until May 27).

04/25/1915 Allied troops land on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. British and French units at Cape Helles, Australian and New Zealand (Anzac block) - in Anzac Bay.

04/26/1915 A secret agreement between England, France and Italy is concluded in London. Italy must enter the war and, in case of victory, receive territories and reparations from Germany and Austria-Hungary.

04/26/1915 On the Eastern Front, during offensive battles, German troops invade Courland (modern Latvia) and capture Lithuania on April 27.

1915.05.1 German submarines suddenly attack the American ship "Gulflight" and sink it.

1915.05.1 The campaign of the Black Sea Fleet squadron began (5 battleships, 3 cruisers, 9 destroyers, 1 air transport with 5 seaplanes) to the Bosphorus (May 1-6, 1915).

May 2, 1915 On the Eastern Front, during offensive operations (until September 30), Austro-German troops break through the Russian front in Galicia (North-Western Austria-Hungary) - the Gorlitsky breakthrough.

1915.05.4 Italy refuses to participate in the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary (the Treaty of Alliance was extended in December 1912).

May 4, 1915 On the Western Front, the second battle takes place in Artois (until June 18). After a diversionary maneuver by the British forces, the French forces manage to break through the front in North-East France, but the advance is insignificant.

05/7/1915 German submarines sink the British liner Lusitania near the southern coast of Ireland. 1,198 people die, including 128 US citizens.

1915.05.9 Battle of Aubers Ridge on the Western Front (until May 10). The unsuccessful offensive of the British troops in North-East France.

05/1915/12 South African troops under the command of Louis Botha occupy Windhoek, the capital of German South West Africa.

May 15, 1915 Battle of Festuber on the Western Front (until May 25). The unsuccessful offensive of British and Canadian troops in North-East France.

05/1915 In England, the first sea lord John Fisher leaves his post, protesting against the government's policy towards the Dardanelles.

05/23/1915 Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary and seizes part of its territory. There was a battle on the Isonzo River.

05/27/1915 The Turkish government decides to deport 1.8 million Turkish citizens of Armenian origin to Syria and Mesopotamia. A third of these people were deported, another third were destroyed, the rest managed to escape.

1915.06.1 First airship raid on London.

06/3/1915 On the Eastern Front, the southern flank of the Russian troops collapsed after the German units again took Przemysl.

1915.06.9 Unrest in Moscow.

06/23/1915 German Social Democrats issue a manifesto demanding that peace negotiations be started.

06/23/1915 On the Eastern Front, in the north-east of Austria-Hungary, German and Austrian troops recapture the city of Lemberg (modern Ukrainian city of Lvov) from the Russian army.

1915.06.23 First battle on Isonzo (until July 7). Italian troops are trying to seize the bridgeheads held by the Austrians on the Isonzo (border river in Northeast Italy).

06/26/1915 The Alashkert operation began - the battle of June 26 - July 21, 1915 in the Alashkert region (Eastern Turkey) between the Turkish army and the Russian Caucasian corps.

1915.07.2 (According to the Julian calendar - June 19). Between the Russian brigade of cruisers and a detachment of German ships, the Battle of Gotland took place - a naval battle off the Swedish island of Gotland.

July 9, 1915 In South West Africa, German units surrender to the army under the command of Louis Botha.

1915.08.5 On the Eastern Front, German troops took Warsaw, which is part of the Russian Empire.

08/6/1915 In Turkey, Allied troops land at Suvla Bay on the Gallipoli peninsula in an attempt to open a third front. But they manage to hold only a small piece of land.

08/25/1915 Italy declares war on Turkey.

08/26/1915 On the Eastern Front, German troops occupy Brest-Litovsk in the southern part of the Polish lands that belonged to Russia.

08/30/1915 Taking into account the protests from the United States, the German command orders its commanders of submarines and surface warships to warn enemy passenger ships of the attack.

1915.08-09 The Battle of Vilna begins - a defensive operation of the 10th Russian Army (General E. A. Radkevich) against the 10th German Army (General G. Eichhorn) in August - September 1915

September 5, 1915 The first international socialist conference takes place in Zimmerwald (September 5-8).

09/6/1915 On the Eastern Front, Russian troops stop the advance of German troops near Ternopil. The parties are moving to a positional war.

September 6, 1915 Bulgaria signs a military treaty with Germany and Turkey.

09/8/1915 Tsar Nicholas II takes command of the Russian army.

9/1915 USA demand that Austria withdraw its ambassador (ambassador leaves New York 5 October).

09/18/1915 Germany withdraws its submarines from the English Channel and the Western Atlantic to reduce the danger to American ships.

09/18/1915 On the Eastern Front, German troops capture the city of Vilna (modern Lithuanian city of Vilnius).

1915.09.23 Mobilization is announced in Greece.

09/25/1915 The third battle in Artois begins on the Western Front (until October 14). French units attack German positions in northeastern France and southeastern Champagne. British troops are trying to break through the German defenses near Laos (the operation ended on November 4 with minimal success).

09/25/1915 The United States grants a $500 million loan to England and France.

09/28/1915 British troops, developing an offensive along the Tigris River in Mesopotamia, occupy the city of Kut-el-Imara.

10/5/1915 Allied forces land in neutral Greece, in Thessaloniki, to assist Serbia.

10/6/1915 Bulgaria enters the war on the side of the states of Central Europe.

10/6 1915 In England, Lord Derby is announced to be in charge of mobilization (lasted until 12 December).

10/7/1915 Austria-Hungary again invades Serbia (the offensive continued until November 20) and captures Belgrade (October 9). The Serbian army is retreating in a southwestern direction. Bulgarian units are holding the line against the allied forces in Thessaloniki.

10/1915 German occupation authorities execute English nurse Edith Cavell for harboring British and French prisoners and facilitating their escape.

10/12/1915 The Allies declare that they will provide assistance to Serbia in accordance with the Bucharest Treaty of August 10, 1913.

10/12/1915 Greece refuses to help Serbia in defiance of their 1913 treaty.

10/1915/13 French Foreign Minister Théophile Delcasset resigns in protest against the sending of troops to Thessaloniki.

10/15/1915 Great Britain declares war on Bulgaria.

10/19/1915 Japan signs the London Treaty, assuring the other participants that it will not conduct separate peace negotiations with the opposing side.

10/21/1915 Third battle on the Isonzo (until 4 November). The Italian troops moved forward quite a bit.

10.30 1915 The Hamadan operation began, an offensive operation of Russian troops in Northern Iran, carried out on October 17 (30). - 3 (16) Dec.

1915 November 12 Great Britain annexes the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (modern-day Tuvalu and Kirkbaty), turning the protectorate into a colony.

11/13/1915 After the failure of the operation on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Winston Churchill resigns from the British Cabinet.

11/21/1915 Italy declares its solidarity with the Allies in the rejection of separate peace negotiations.

11/22/1915 Battle of Ctesiphon (until December 4). Turkish troops in Mesopotamia are forcing the British to retreat to the city of Kut-el-Imara.

1915.12.3 Joseph Joffre is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French Army.

12/8/1915 The Turks surround the British troops near the city of Kut-el-Imara in Mesopotamia.

12/18/1915 The Allies withdraw their troops from the Gallipoli Peninsula (the operation ends on December 19).

12/1915 Douglas Haig succeeds John French as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in France and Flanders.

1916

January 8, 1916 The Allies withdraw troops from Cape Helles on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey (the operation continued until January 9).

1916.01.8 Austria-Hungary conducts military operations in Montenegro (until January 17, the Serbian army retreats to the island of Corfu).

1916.01.10 (December 28 according to the Julian calendar). The Russian army in the Caucasus advances on Turkish positions (until April 18). The Erzurum operation of 1915/1916 began. December 28 (January 10) - February 18 (March 2). Parts of the 2nd Turkestan Corps and the 1st Caucasian Corps under the command of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich defeated the forces of the 3rd Turkish Army and captured the Erzurum fortress. The Turkish army lost up to 50% of its personnel (Russians - up to 10%). The success of this operation led to the conclusion of an agreement between Russia, Britain and France on the transfer of the Black Sea Turkish straits to Russia after the war. To this end, the military command of the Russian army and navy planned for 1917 the landing of military landings in the straits and the final withdrawal of Turkey from the war. The offensive did not take place due to the revolutionary events in Russia.

01/29/1916 Last airship raid on Paris.

February 2, 1916 Stürmer becomes Prime Minister of Russia.

1916.02.5 The Trebizond operation began. It lasted from January 23 (February 5) to April 5 (18), 1916. As a result of the capture of Trebizond by Russian troops, the 3rd Turkish army was cut off from Istanbul.

02/1916 Russian troops occupy the city of Erzurum in northeastern Turkey.

February 1916, 18 The last German garrison in Cameroon capitulates.

02/21/1916 The battle near Verdun begins on the Western Front (until December 18). German troops are trying to capture the French city of Verdun, but are met with fierce resistance. As a result of heavy fighting, the losses of Germany and France amounted to almost 40 thousand killed and wounded on each side.

1916.03.2 Russian troops capture the city of Bit Lis in southeastern Turkey (recaptured by the Turks on August 7).

March 9, 1916 Germany declares war on Portugal.

1916.03.13 Germany changes the rules for attacking naval targets. Now its submarines can attack all British non-passenger ships in the coastal waters of Great Britain.

03/1916 Alfred von Tirpitz, German Secretary of State for Naval Affairs, resigns.

1916.03.18 The Naroch operation of 1916 began, the offensive operation of the Russian troops of the Western and Northern fronts on March 5 (18) - 17 (30) in the Dvinsk region.

1916.03.2 °The Allies agree on the post-war division of Turkey.

March 2, 1916 Allied aircraft raid the German submarine base at Zeebrugge, Belgium.

03/24/1916 A German submarine sinks the passenger ship Sussex without warning. Among the victims are also US citizens.

03/27/1916 French Prime Minister Aristide Briand opens the Paris Military Conference of the Allied Powers.

1916.04.18 Russian troops occupy the city of Trabzond in northeastern Turkey.

1916.04.2 The United States warns Germany of the possibility of severing diplomatic relations.

04/29/1916 Turkish troops recapture the city of Kut-el-Imara in Mesopotamia from the British army.

1916.05.15 Offensive near Asiago. Austro-Hungarian troops attack Italian positions with minimal success (until 26 June).

05/31/1916 The Battle of Jutland begins in the North Sea, the main battle between the navies of Germany and England in this war. The British lost most of their ships, but the German fleet was locked in ports until the end of the war (ended on June 1).

06/4/1916 The Brusilovsky breakthrough was made on the Eastern Front. Russian armies under the command of General Brusilov break through the Austrian-Hungarian defenses in the south of the Pripyat marshes. However, the active hostilities of the German troops reduced the effect of the Russian offensive (fighting continued until August 10).

06/1916/13 Jan Smuts, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces, captures the Wilhelmstahl in German East Africa (present-day Tanzania).

06/14/1916 A conference of the Allied Powers on economic issues takes place in Paris.

1916.06.18 On the Eastern Front, Russian troops occupy Chernivtsi (modern Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi).

06/1916/19 The battle of Baranovichi began (June 19-25) between the Russian army and the Austro-German group.

06/23/1916 Greece announces its consent to submit to the demands of the Allies and demobilize the army.

1916.06. The blockade of the Bosphorus by the Russian fleet began.

July 1, 1916 On the Western Front, the battle on the Somme begins (until November 19). A massive offensive by French and British troops who managed to advance 8 kilometers. On the first day of the offensive, Great Britain lost 60,000 soldiers (20,000 killed). During the entire operation, Great Britain and France lost a total of over 620,000 soldiers, while German losses amounted to about 450,000 soldiers.

1916.07.9 The German submarine "Deutschland" manages to pass through the sea barriers of the allied fleet and reach the US coast.

1916.08.6 Sixth battle on Isonzo (until August 17). Italian troops go on the offensive and capture the city of Horace in Austria-Hungary.

08/1916/17 Bulgarian troops attack the positions of the allies encircled in Thessaloniki (until September 11).

08/1916/19 The Royal Navy in the North Sea disabled the German battleship Westfalen.

1916.08.19 German artillery shells the coast of England.

08/27/1916 Romania joins the Allied Powers and declares war on Austria-Hungary. Romanian troops go on the offensive in Transylvania (at that time the territory of Hungary).

08/28/1916 Italy declares war on Germany.

08/1916/30 Paul von Hindenburg is appointed Chief of the General Staff of the German Army.

1916.08.30 Türkiye declares war on Russia.

September 1, 1916 Bulgaria declares war on Romania.

September 4, 1916 British troops capture the city of Dar es Salaam, the administrative center of German East Africa (modern-day Tanzania).

1916.09.6 The states of Central Europe establish the Supreme Military Council.

09/1916/12 British and Serbian troops begin an offensive in the Thessaloniki region, but cannot help the Romanian army (until December 11).

1916.09.14 Seventh battle on Isonzo (until September 18). Italian troops achieve minor success.

1916.09.15 On the Western Front, during the attack on the Somme, Great Britain uses tanks for the first time.

October 4, 1916 In Romania, the troops of Austria-Hungary and Germany conduct a successful counteroffensive against the Romanian army (until December).

1916.10.9 Eighth battle of Isonzo (until December 12). Italian troops achieve minimal success.

10/1916 Allied forces occupy Athens.

10/24/1916 On the Western Front, the offensive of the French troops to the east of Verdun begins (it lasted until November 5).

11.5 1916 The states of Central Europe proclaim the establishment of the Kingdom of Poland.

11/25/1916 In Germany, an air force is created as a separate branch of the military.

December 6, 1916 In Romania, German troops occupy Bucharest (hold it until November 30, 1918).

12/12/1916 Germany sends a note to the Entente powers stating that the states of Central Europe are ready for negotiations (December 30, the answer is transmitted through the US ambassador in Paris).

12/13/1916 In France, General Joffre is appointed technical adviser to the government without the right to issue orders (December 26, he resigns).

12/15/1916 On the Western Front, French troops go on the offensive between Meuse and Vevrey Plain (until December 17).

1916.12.20 The President of the United States sends a note to all participants in the war in Europe with a proposal to start peace negotiations.

1917

1917.01.5 (December 23, 1916 according to the Julian calendar). The Mitavskaya operation of 1916 began on December 23-29 (January 5-11, 1917). Offensive operation of Russian troops in the Riga region by the forces of the 12th Army of the Northern Front (commander - General Radko-Dmitriev). She was opposed by the 8th German Army. The offensive of the Russian troops was unexpected for the Germans. Nevertheless, they managed not only to repulse the advance of the Russian units, but also to push them back. For Russia, the Mitav operation ended in vain (except for the loss of 23 thousand people killed, wounded and captured).

1917.02.1 Germany declares the beginning of an all-out submarine war.

February 1, 1917 The Petrograd Allied Conference begins its work. Went through st. style January 19 - February 7 (February 1-20).

1917.02.2 Bread rationing is introduced in Great Britain.

02/3/1917 A German submarine sinks the American passenger ship Husetonik off the coast of Sicily. The US breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

03/11/1917 British troops capture Baghdad in Mesopotamia.

1917.03.14 (March 1 according to the Julian calendar). In Russia, during the outbreak of the revolution, the Petrograd Soviet, by its Order No. 1, called on the soldiers to elect committees in units and thus made the army uncontrollable and unable to conduct further military operations.

March 1917, 16 On the Western Front, German troops retreat to the Hindenburg Line, a specially prepared defensive line between Arras and Soissons.

1917.03.17 On the Western Front, British troops occupy Bapaume and Peronne (the offensive continued until March 18).

1917.03.19 (March 06 according to the Julian calendar). In Russia, the Provisional Government announces that it intends to abide by the treaties concluded with the Allies and to wage the war to a victorious end.

1917.03.25 (March 12 according to the Julian calendar). Russia has abolished the death penalty among the troops, which makes it impossible for offensive operations that risk the lives of military personnel.

April 2, 1917 In the United States, President Wilson convenes a special session of Congress to discuss the question of declaring war. On April 6, the United States declares war on Germany.

April 9, 1917 On the Western Front, the battle near Vimy Rizh (until April 14). Canadian troops manage to take Vimy Ridge.

April 9, 1917 Operation Nivelles began in 1917, an offensive operation of the Anglo-French troops during the First World War, carried out from April 9 to May 5.

1917.04.16 (April 3 according to the Julian calendar). The Bolshevik leader Lenin arrives in Petrograd, having made the move from Switzerland to Russia through Germany, Sweden and Finland with the help of the German authorities.

04/17/1917 On the Western Front, unrest began in the French army (more serious unrest occurred on April 29; continued until August).

1917.05.12 (April 29 according to the Julian calendar). In Russia, Minister of War A. I. Guchkov resigned because of the complete disobedience of the army to him.

1917.06.4 May 22 (June 4). And A. Brusilov replaces M.V. Alekseev as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

1917.06.7 On the Western Front, the battle of Metz began (until June 14). The British troops manage to prepare a bridgehead in southeastern Belgium for the main offensive.

06/7/1917 Operation Messines began, the operation of the British troops in the area of ​​the city of Messina (West Flanders), carried out on June 7-15, 1917 with limited goals - to cut off the 15-km ledge of the German defense and thereby improve their positions.

06/1917/14 The American mission headed by I. Root arrives in Petrograd to ensure Russia's further participation in the war.

1917.06.29 June offensive of the Russian troops of 1917 June 16 (29) - July 15 (28). The offensive of the Russian troops undertaken by the political and military command was defeated, including due to the growth of anti-war sentiments in the troops. The losses of the army amounted to 30 thousand killed, wounded and captured. The defeat at the front led to the July political crisis in Petrograd and the weakening of the political positions of the Provisional Government. The advance of the enemy was stopped only on the line of Brody, Ebarazh, Grzhimalov, Kimpolung.

1917.07.1 June 18 (July 1). Russian offensive in Galicia (launched on the orders of A.F. Kerensky on June 16/29 under the command of A. A. Brusilov). Having successfully started, the offensive was stopped in mid-July. The counteroffensive of the Austro-German troops, which occupy Ternopil on July 11 (24). Cases of desertion are becoming more frequent in the Russian army.

07/19/19 On the Eastern Front, the troops of Germany and Austria-Hungary launch a successful counteroffensive against Russian positions (until August 4).

07/1917/19 German airships raid the industrial areas of Great Britain.

July 19, 1917 The German Parliament proposes to start peace negotiations between the warring powers.

1917.07.20 Battle of Mareshesti began in 1917, fighting in July-August 1917 on the Romanian front.

07/31/1917 The third battle of Ypres began on the Western Front. Suffering huge losses, the British troops advanced 13 km deep into Belgium (fighting continued until November 10).

1917.08.3 Unrest among sailors at the German military base in Wilhelmshaven.

08/3/1917 On the Eastern Front, Russian troops again capture Chernivtsi (modern Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi).

08/1917 China declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary.

1917.08.17 Eleventh battle on Isonzo (until September 12). Italian troops manage to move forward a little.

1917.09.1 ​​The Riga operation of 1917 began on August 19 (September 1) - August 24 (September 6). The offensive operation of the German troops, undertaken with the aim of capturing Riga. It ended with success for the advancing side. On the night of August 21 (September 3), Russian troops left Riga and Ust-Dvinsk and retreated to Wenden. The losses of the defending 12th Russian Army amounted to 25 thousand people, 273 guns, 256 machine guns, 185 bombers and 48 mortars.

1917.9. 16 (September 3, old style). At the La Courtine military camp near Limoges
(France) there was an uprising of soldiers of the Russian expeditionary corps in France; within five days of February 16-21, the camp was shot from artillery.

10/1917/12 The Moonsund operation of 1917, or Operation Albion, began - the operation of the German fleet to capture the Moonsund archipelago, carried out on September 29 (October 12) - October 6 (19).

10/15/1917 German troops launch a new offensive in East Africa - the Battle of Mahiva.

10/24/1917 The battle of Caporetto begins on the Italian front (until November 10). The troops of Austria-Hungary and Germany manage to break through the front line. The Italian units are creating a new line of defense along the Piave River.

November 6, 1917 On the Western Front, Canadian and British troops occupy Paschendale in northwestern Belgium.

1917.11.7 (25 Oct. Julian). In Petrograd, the insurgents take possession of almost the entire capital, except for the Winter Palace. At night, the Military Revolutionary Committee announces the overthrow of the Provisional Government and, in the name of the Soviet, takes power into its own hands.

1917.11.8 Oct 26 (8 Nov.). In Russia, the Bolsheviks issue a Decree on Peace: it contains a proposal to all warring parties to immediately begin negotiations on signing a just democratic peace without annexations and indemnities.

11/20/1917 On the Western Front, the battle of Cambrai begins - the first military operation in which tank formations were widely used (until December 7). English tanks manage to break through the German defenses near Cambrai, North-East France (later German troops pushed the British back).

1917.11.21 (November 08 according to the Julian calendar). Note from People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs L. Trotsky, in which all belligerents are invited to start peace negotiations.

11/26/1917 The Soviet government proposes to Germany and Austria-Hungary to conclude
truce.

1917.11.27 (November 14 according to the Julian calendar). The German command accepts the proposal to start negotiations on a truce.

1917.12.3 (November 20 according to the Julian calendar). Armistice talks between Russia and the Central European powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey) are opening in Brest-Litovsk.

1917.12.3 (November 20 according to the Julian calendar). N. V. Krylenko takes possession of the Headquarters in Mogilev. N. N. Dukhonin was brutally killed by soldiers and sailors.

1917.12.15 (December 2 according to the Julian calendar). German and Russian representatives conclude a truce in Brest-Litovsk (modern Belarusian city of Brest).

1917.12.22 (December 9 according to the Julian calendar). Opening of the peace conference in Brest-Litovsk: Germany is represented by State Secretary (Minister of Foreign Affairs) Richard von Kuhlmann and General M. Hoffmann, Austria is represented by Foreign Minister Chernin. The Soviet delegation, headed by A. Ioffe, demands the conclusion of peace without annexations and reparations, while respecting the right of the peoples to decide their own destiny.

1918

1918.01.18 05 (18) Jan. In Brest-Litovsk, General Hoffmann, in the form of an ultimatum, presents the terms of peace put forward by the Central European powers (Russia is deprived of its western territories).

1918.01.24 11 (24) Jan. In the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party, three positions clash regarding the negotiations at Brest-Litovsk: Lenin is in favor of accepting the proposed peace conditions in order to strengthen revolutionary power in the country; the "left communists" led by Bukharin are in favor of continuing the revolutionary war; Trotsky proposes an intermediate option (cease hostilities without concluding peace), for which the majority votes.

1918.01.28 (January 15, according to the Julian calendar). Decree on the organization of the Red Army (Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army). Trotsky is organizing it, and soon it will become a truly powerful and disciplined army (voluntary recruitment has been replaced by compulsory military service, a large number of old military specialists have been recruited, officer elections have been canceled, and political commissars have appeared in units).

1918.02.9 (27 January according to the Julian calendar). A separate peace was signed in Brest-Litovsk between the Central European powers and the Ukrainian Rada.

1918.02.10 January 28 (February 10 according to the Julian calendar). Trotsky declares that "the state of war between Russia and the Central European powers is ending," realizing his formula: "no peace, no war."

1918.02.14 (January 31 according to the Julian calendar). In Russia, a new chronology is being introduced - the Gregorian calendar. For January 31 according to the Julian calendar, immediately came February 14 according to the Gregorian.

1918.02.18 After the presentation of an ultimatum to Russia, the Austro-German offensive was launched along the entire front; despite the fact that the Soviet side on the night of February 18-19 accepts the terms of peace, the offensive continues.

02/1918/23 New German ultimatum with even more difficult peace conditions. Lenin manages to get the Central Committee to accept his proposal for the immediate conclusion of peace (7 in favor, 4 including Bukharin - against, 4 abstained, among them Trotsky). A decree was adopted - the appeal "The Socialist Fatherland is in danger!" The enemy was stopped near Narva and Pskov.

March 1, 1918 With the support of Germany, the Central Rada returns to Kyiv.

03/1918 The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is signed in Brest-Litovsk. Soviet Russia and the Central European powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary) and Turkey. Under the treaty, Russia loses Poland, Finland, the Baltic states, Ukraine and part of Belarus, and also cedes Kars, Ardagan and Batum to Turkey. In general, losses amount to 1/4 of the population, 1/4 of cultivated land, about 3/4 of the coal and metallurgical industries. After the signing of the treaty, Trotsky resigned from the post of People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs and from April 8. becomes Commissar of Naval Affairs.

March 3, 1918 The Bolsheviks transfer the capital of Russia from Petrograd to Moscow, moving it further from the Russian-German front.

1918.03.9 The landing of the British in Murmansk (initially, this landing was planned to repel the offensive of the Germans and their Finnish allies).

1918.03.12 Turkish troops occupy Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan (they held the city until May 14).

03/21/1918 On the Western Front, the spring offensive of the German troops begins (until July 17). As a result, the German army manages to advance significantly in the direction of Paris.

03/1918/23 German artillery uses large-caliber guns to bombard Paris from a distance of 120 km (until August 15).

1918.04.9 The Battle of Flanders began in 1918, fighting between German and Anglo-French troops in Flanders during the First World War. It happened April 9-29.

04/22/1918 The British Navy attacks the Belgian city of Zeebrugge and blocks the entrance to the Bruges Canal and the German submarine base (on May 10, the British cruiser Vindictive was sunk at the entrance to the submarine base at Ostend).

1918.05.1 German units occupy Sevastopol.

May 7, 1918 Romania signs a peace treaty with Germany and Austria-Hungary in Bucharest. Romania is allowed to carry out the annexation of Bessarabia, but Russia refuses to recognize its legitimacy.

05/29/1918 German troops occupy Soissons and Reims on the Western Front.

05/29/1918 Decree on general mobilization into the Red Army was issued in Russia.

June 9, 1918 On the Western Front, the offensive of the German army near Compiègne begins (until June 13).

06/15/1918 Battle on the Piave River (until June 23). The troops of Austria-Hungary attempt to attack the Italian positions, but are forced to retreat.

07/6/1918 During the congress, the Left SRs attempt a rebellion in Moscow: I. Blyumkin kills the new German ambassador, Count von Mirbach; arrested F. Dzerzhinsky, chairman of the Cheka; busy telegraph. The threat of a renewed war between Russia and Germany.

07/15/1918 The second battle on the Marne begins on the Western Front (until July 17). Allied troops stop the German advance on Paris.

07/18/1918 On the Western Front, the Allies go over to the counteroffensive (until November 10) and advance a considerable distance.

07/22/1918 Allied forces cross the Marne River on the Western Front.

08/2/1918 French troops capture Soissons on the Western Front.

08/8/1918 A "black day for the German army" begins on the Western Front. British troops break through the front line.

1918.09.1 ​​On the Western Front, the British units liberate Peron.

09/04/1918 On the Western Front, German troops withdraw to the Siegfried Line.

1918.09.12 On the Western Front, the battle of Saint-Miyel begins (until September 16).
The 1st US Army under the command of General Pershing eliminates the German grouping in the Saint-Miyel salient.

09/1918 Austria-Hungary offers peace (September 20, the Allied Powers reject this offer).

09/29/1918 German Quartermaster General Ludendorff and Commander-in-Chief of the German Army Hindenburg stand for a constitutional monarchy in Germany and the beginning of peace negotiations.

09/1918/30 Bulgaria concludes a truce with the Allied Powers.

October 1, 1918 French troops liberate Saint-Quentin on the Western Front.

10/3/1918 Prince Max of Baden is appointed Chancellor of Germany.

10.3 1918 Germany and Austria-Hungary send a joint note to the US government through Switzerland, in which they agree to conclude an armistice on the basis of 14 points announced by President Wilson (received in the US on October 4).

10/6/1918 French troops liberate Beirut.

10/9/1918 On the Western Front, British units enter Cambrai and Le Chateau.

10/1918 Germany and Austria-Hungary agree to the terms of Woodrow Wilson and are ready to withdraw troops to their territory before armistice negotiations begin.

10/1918 French troops liberate Laon, and on October 17 the British army occupies Lille.

10/20/1918 Germany suspends submarine warfare.

10/24/1918 Battle of Vittorio Veneto (until November 2). The battle with the Italian army ends with the complete defeat of the Austro-Hungarian troops.

10/26/1918 Ludendorff is removed from his post as Quartermaster General of the German Army.

10/27/1918 Austria-Hungary appeals to Italy for a truce.

10/28/1918 Revolt of German sailors in Kiel.

1918.11.3 Allied Powers sign armistice with Austria-Hungary (due November 4).

1918.11.3 Uprisings and riots in Germany.

1918.11.4 The Conference of the Allied Powers at Versailles draws up an agreement on the terms of an armistice with Germany.

11/6/1918 The German delegation at the armistice negotiations meets with the delegation of the Allied Powers headed by Foch in a railway car in Compiègne. An armistice agreement has been concluded, which should come into force on 11 November.

11/6/1918 American troops occupy Sedan on the Western Front.

11/7/1918 A republic is proclaimed in Bavaria, Germany.

November 9, 1918 In Germany, the Social Democrat Philipp Scheidemann proclaims a republic, seeking to forestall the creation of a communist republic. Friedrich Ebert succeeds Prince Max of Baden as chancellor. Kaiser Wilhelm II flees to the Netherlands.

1918 November 10 In Germany, the Ebert government receives the support of the armed forces and the Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies in Berlin.

11/1918 The Armistice Agreement between the Allied Powers and Germany enters into force (from 11 o'clock in the afternoon).

11/12/1918 In Austria-Hungary, Emperor Charles I abdicates the throne (on November 13, he also abdicates the Hungarian throne).

11/1918 Austria-Hungary proclaims the creation of a state union with Germany (later this union was forbidden by the Paris Peace Conference and the treaties signed at Versailles, Saint-Germain and Trianon).

11/13/1918 In connection with the signing of an armistice between the Allies and Germany, the Soviet government announces the annulment of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

November 1918 Evacuation of German troops from France.

11/20/1918 German government surrenders submarines at Harwich, East Anglia (21 November surrenders surface ships at Firth of Forth, Scotland).

1918.12.1 Beginning of the occupation of Germany by the Allied forces.

1919.05.7 At the Paris Peace Conference, the Allied Powers put a number of unconditional conditions before Germany: to give up a significant part of its territory, demilitarize the Rhine zone and agree to its partial occupation for a period of 5 to 15 years, pay reparations, agree to limit the size of its armed forces , to agree with the article on the "war crime", recognizing his responsibility for the outbreak of the First World War.

05/29/1919 The German delegation makes counterproposals to the participants in the Paris Peace Conference.

06/19/20 Due to the refusal to sign a peace treaty on the terms of the Allied Powers, the German Chancellor Scheidemann resigns (June 21, the Social Democrat Gustav Bauer forms a new government from representatives of the Social Democrats, centrists and democrats).

06/21/1919 German sailors scuttled their ships at the British Naval Base in the Orkney Islands.

06/1919/22 The German National Assembly decides to sign a peace treaty.

06/28/1919 German representatives sign a peace treaty (Peace of Versailles) in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles near Paris.

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Timeline of World War I dates and events (1914-1918) Updated: December 3, 2016 By: admin

Consider the main events of the First World War:

In June 1914, Franz Ferdinand, who was the direct heir to the Hungarian throne, was assassinated. From this moment begins the chronology of the First World War

Consequently, in July Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

The main events of the First World War began on July 28, 1914 (this date is the official start of hostilities).

In August, Germany declares war on such countries as Russia, France, Luxembourg, Belgium. German and signed a secret alliance treaty. The British Empire challenges Germany.

Montenegro announces the beginning of the war of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, in turn, Russia.

Serbia and Montenegro declare war on Germany. France and the British Empire declare war on Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary - Belgium.

In November 1914, the Entente countries declared war on the Ottoman Empire. Great Britain begins a naval blockade of Germany.

February 1915 is marked by major offensive operations on the eastern front of Germany.

In April, during the Second Battle of Ypres, German troops began to use chemical weapons. Also this period was marked by the London agreement between the Entente countries and Italy.

In May, Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary.

In October, Bulgaria unleashes hostilities against Serbia, and in response, the Entente countries declare war on Bulgaria.

In March 1916, Germany declared war on Portugal.

The First World War, the main events of which had such devastating consequences, was remembered both by the victims and by the shaken economy and well-being of countries.

The First World War began with the offensive operation of the Russian troops in East Prussia, the success of which largely depended not on the willingness of the soldiers to sacrifice themselves, but on the skillful management of the army and strategic farsightedness, which General Rennenkampf did not possess. The operation failed. Despite such a sad beginning, the war for Russia not only was not over, but continued with renewed vigor. Where brute strength and unshakable fortitude were needed, there were always Russian soldiers.

The fields of the Baltic States, Galicia, Western Ukraine, Western Belarus and Poland are covered with the bones of those who fell in the battles of the First World War. covered with the bones of those who fell in the battles of the First World War.

At the same time, the famous Brusilov breakthrough of 1916, which saved France and Italy from complete defeat, but put the Russian army in a very deplorable position, will forever remain in the historical memory of the people. General Brusilov managed to withdraw most of the soldiers and officers from the encirclement, but by the beginning of 1917 the spirit of the Russian army was severely undermined, and the reason for this lay in the inept and treacherous leadership, the desire to present oneself in the best light before the allies, while there were no reasons for rejoicing was.

Russia in this war not only did not receive a well-deserved award, but despite the victory of the allies, it was not recognized as the winning side. The First World War for Russia ended with the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which jeopardized relations not only with former enemies, but also with former allies.

On March 3, 1918, a separate Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed in Brest-Litovsk between Soviet Russia and the Central European powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary) and Turkey. Under the treaty, Russia loses Poland, Finland, the Baltic States, Ukraine and part of Belarus, and also cedes Kara, Ardagan and Batum to Turkey. In general, losses amount to 1/4 of the population, 1/4 of cultivated land, about 3/4 of the coal and metallurgical industries.

World War I 1914–1918 was caused by the aggravation of contradictions between the leading powers of the world in the struggle for the redistribution of spheres of influence and the investment of capital. 38 states with a population of more than 1.5 billion people were involved in the war. The reason for the war was the assassination in Sarajevo of the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Ferdinand. By the beginning of the war, Germany had 8 armies (about 1.8 million people), France - 5 armies (about 1.3 million people), Russia - 6 armies (more than 1 million people), Austria-Hungary - 5 armies and 2 army groups (more than 1 million people). Military operations covered the territory of Europe, Asia and Africa. The main land fronts were the Western (French) and Eastern (Russian), the main maritime theaters of military operations were the North, Mediterranean, Baltic and Black Seas.

On the part of Russia World War I 1914–1918 It was carried out in order to counter the expansionist policy of Germany and Austria-Hungary, to protect the Serbian and other Slavic peoples, to strengthen Russia's position in the Balkans and the Caucasus. Russia's allies in the war were England, France and other countries of the Entente, the main allies of Germany and Austria-Hungary were Turkey and Bulgaria. During the war, the Russian command deployed 5 fronts and 16 armies. In 1914, Russian troops failed in the East Prussian operation against the German troops, successfully operated in the Battle of Galicia against Austria-Hungary and the Sarykamysh operation against the Turks.

Unable to withdraw France from the war, Germany in 1915 dealt the main blow on the Eastern Front (Gorlitsky breakthrough), but by October the Russian troops managed to stabilize the front line. A period of positional struggle began (as before on the Western Front). In 1916, the troops of the Russian Southwestern Front carried out a successful offensive against the Austro-Hungarian troops (Brusilovsky breakthrough), but even this did not bring the armed struggle out of the positional impasse. After the February Revolution of 1917 in Russia, the summer offensive of the Russian troops was the last attempt by the Provisional Government to be active in a war that was unpopular with the people and the army.

The October Revolution led Russia out of the war, but this subsequently turned into large territorial losses in the Brest peace concluded between Russia and Germany on March 3, 1918. The pressure of the united forces of the Entente countries and the growth of revolutionary sentiment in Germany and Austria-Hungary led to the surrender of the latter in November 1918 .

The total losses in the war were 9.5 million killed and 20 million wounded.

During the war, the Russian army conducted five campaigns. The most significant battles and operations involving Russian troops are listed below.

Battle of Galicia (1914)

The Battle of Galicia is a strategic offensive operation of the troops of the Southwestern Front under the command of General N.I. Ivanov was carried out against the Austro-Hungarian troops on August 5 - September 8, 1914. The offensive zone of the Russian troops was 320-400 km. As a result of the operation, Russian troops occupied Galicia and the Austrian part of Poland, creating the threat of an invasion of Hungary and Silesia. This forced the German command to transfer part of the troops from the Western to the Eastern theater of operations.

Warsaw-Ivangorod offensive operation (1914)

The Warsaw-Ivangorod offensive operation was carried out by the forces of the North-Western and South-Western fronts against the 9th German and 1st Austro-Hungarian armies on September 15 - October 26, 1914. In the oncoming battles, the Russian troops stopped the advance of the enemy, and then, crossing in a counteroffensive, threw him back to his original positions. Large losses (up to 50%) of the Austro-German troops forced the German command to transfer part of the forces from the Western to the Eastern Front and weaken their blows against Russia's allies.

Alashkert operation (1915)

The Alashkert operation was carried out by Russian troops in the Caucasian theater of operations on June 26 - July 21, 1915. From July 9 to 21, the shock group of the 3rd Turkish Army pushed back the main forces of the 4th Corps of the Caucasian Army and created a threat to break through its defenses. However, the Russian troops launched a counterattack on the left flank and rear of the enemy, who, fearing a detour, began to hastily retreat. As a result, the plan of the Turkish command to break through the defenses of the Caucasian army in the Kars direction was thwarted.

Erzurum operation (1915–1916)

The Erzurum operation was carried out by the forces of the Russian Caucasian army under the command of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich on December 28, 1915 - February 3, 1916. The purpose of the operation was to capture the city and fortress of Erzurum, to defeat the 3rd Turkish army before reinforcements approached it. The Caucasian army broke through the heavily fortified defenses of the Turkish troops, and then, with attacks on the directions converging from the north, east and south, captured Erzurum by storm, throwing the enemy 70-100 km to the west. Success in the operation was achieved thanks to the correct choice of the direction of the main attack, careful preparation of the offensive, and extensive maneuvering of forces and means.

Brusilovsky breakthrough (1916)

In March 1916, at the conference of the Entente powers in Chantilly, the actions of the allied forces in the upcoming summer campaign were agreed. In accordance with this, the Russian command planned to launch in mid-June 1916 a major offensive on all fronts. The main blow was to be delivered by the troops of the Western Front from the Molodechno region to Vilna, auxiliary blows: the Northern Front - from the Dvinsk region, and the South-Western Front - from the Rovno region to Lutsk. When discussing the campaign plan, differences emerged among the top military leadership. Commander of the Western Front, General of Infantry A.E. Evert expressed his fear that the troops of the front would not be able to break through the well-prepared enemy defenses in terms of engineering. The recently appointed commander of the Southwestern Front, cavalry general A.A. Brusilov, on the contrary, insisted on intensifying the actions of his front, whose troops not only could, but must attack.

At the disposal of A.A. Brusilov were 4 armies: the 7th - General D.G. Shcherbachev, 8th - General A.M. Kaledin, 9th - General P.A. Lechitsky and the 11th - General V.V. Sakharov. The troops of the front numbered 573,000 infantry, 60,000 cavalry, 1,770 light and 168 heavy guns. They were opposed by the Austro-German grouping consisting of: 1st (commander - General P. Puhallo), 2nd (commander - General E. Bem-Ermoli), 4th (commander - Archduke Joseph Ferdinand), 7th (commander - General K. Pflanzer-Baltina) and the South German (commander - Count F. Botmer) armies, totaling 448 thousand infantry and 27 thousand cavalry, 1300 light and 545 heavy guns. The defense up to 9 km deep consisted of two, and in some places three defensive lines, each of which had two or three lines of continuous trenches.

The Allies, in connection with the difficult situation of their troops in the Italian theater of operations, in May turned to Russia with a request to speed up the start of the offensive. The rate went to meet them and decided to act 2 weeks ahead of schedule.

The offensive began on the entire front on May 22 with a powerful artillery shelling that continued in different sectors from 6 to 46 hours. The 8th Army, advancing in the Lutsk direction, achieved the greatest success. Already after 3 days, her corps took Lutsk, and by June 2 they defeated the 4th Austro-Hungarian army. On the left wing of the front in the zone of action of the 7th Army, the Russian troops, breaking through the enemy defenses, captured the city of Yazlovets. The 9th Army broke through the front on an 11-kilometer stretch in the Dobronouts region and defeated the 7th Austro-Hungarian Army, and then liberated the whole of Bukovina.

The successful actions of the Southwestern Front were supposed to be supported by the troops of the Western Front. But General Evert, referring to the incompleteness of the concentration, ordered to postpone the offensive. This blunder of the Russian command was instantly used by the Germans. 4 infantry divisions from France and Italy were transferred to the Kovel area, where units of the 8th Army were to advance. On June 3, the German army groups of generals von G. Marwitz and E. Falkenhayn launched a counterattack in the direction of Lutsk. In the Kiselin area, a fierce defensive battle began between the Southwestern Front and the German army group of General A. Linzingen.

Since June 12, a forced lull has come on the Southwestern Front. The offensive resumed on 20 June. After a powerful shelling, the 8th and 3rd Russian armies broke through the enemy defenses. The 11th and 7th armies advancing in the center did not achieve much success. Parts of the 9th Army captured the city of Delyatyn.

When, at last, the Headquarters realized that the success of the campaign was decided on the Southwestern Front, and transferred reserves there, time had already been lost. The enemy has concentrated large forces in this direction. The special army (commander - General V.M. Bezobrazov), which consisted of selected guards units and on whose help Nicholas II really counted, in fact turned out to be ineffective due to the low combat skills of the officers. The fighting took on a protracted character, and by mid-September the front finally stabilized.

The offensive operation of the troops of the Southwestern Front was completed. It lasted over 100 days. Despite the fact that the initial success was not used by the Headquarters to achieve a decisive result on the entire front, the operation was of great strategic importance. The Austro-Hungarian army in Galicia and Bukovina suffered a complete defeat. Its total losses amounted to about 1.5 million people. The Russian troops took 8,924 officers and 408,000 soldiers as prisoners alone. 581 guns, 1795 machine guns, about 450 bombers and mortars were captured. The losses of Russian troops amounted to about 500 thousand people. To eliminate the breakthrough, the enemy was forced to transfer 34 infantry and cavalry divisions to the Russian front. This eased the position of the French near Verdun and the Italians in Trentino. The English historian L. Garth wrote: "Russia sacrificed herself for the sake of her allies, and it is unfair to forget that the allies are indebted to Russia for this." The direct result of the fighting of the Southwestern Front was the refusal of Romania from neutrality and its accession to the Entente.