The war

1The war in brief
1914
* Germany invades Belgium.
* Britain declares war on Germany.
*Japan joins the Allied forces: Ottoman Empire soon joins the Central Powers.
* War spreads to the seas.
1915
* Women take up men's jobs.
* Stalemate continues on the Western Front.
* TheLusitania passenger liner is sunk, with 1,200 lives lost.
* London attacked from the air by German Zeppelins.
1916
* Conscription for men aged between 18 and 41.
* A million casualtiesin ten months: Germany aims to 'bleed France white'.
* At sea the Battle of Jutland takes place.
* Armed uprisings in Dublin: the Irish Republic is proclaimed.
1917
* German Army retreatsto the Hindenburg Line.
* United States joins the war and assists the Allies.
* Tank, submarine and gas warfare intensifies.
* Royal family change their surname to Windsor to appear moreBritish.
1918
* Germany launches major offensive on the Western Front.
* Allies launch successful counter-offensives at the Marne and Amiens.
* Armistice signed on November 11, ending thewar at 11am.
* In Britain, a coalition government is elected and women over 30 succeed in gaining the vote.
2One major reason was because of the British Blockade of German Ships. The BritishNavy controlled the North Sea with their Dreadnoughts, although there was very little sea-bourn fighting. There was one major battle for the sea, though. It was the battle of Jutland, which was the mostdecisive sea battle. Even though the Germans sunk more allied ships than the Allies against them, the German navy was still pushed back into port. The advancing technology, especially in weapons likemines and depth charges became invaluable to the British Navy to battle Submarines, and to keep the German Navy at bay. The British Blockade of Germany was one reason, why so many German prisoners...