World War I Mobilization and Eastern Front

Schlieffen Plan

• A military strategy devised by Germany aimed at quickly defeating France by invading through Belgium, then turning to fight Russia.

Great Britain's Declaration of War

• Germany's invasion of Belgium in August 1914 prompted Great Britain to declare war, as it violated Belgian neutrality.

Global Nature of the Conflict

• World War I became a true 'world war' due to the involvement of numerous countries beyond Europe, including colonies and dominions.

Central Powers

• The main countries aligned as the Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Capture of Jerusalem

• During World War I, British forces captured Jerusalem in December 1917, marking a significant event in the Middle Eastern theater of the war.

Naval Operations

• Britain and Germany engaged in extensive naval warfare, including battleships, submarines (U-boats), and blockades in the North Sea and the Atlantic.

Troop Transfer Reasoning

• The primary reason for transferring German troops back to Germany was to address threats on the home front and reinforce defenses against growing military pressures.

Dissolved Battlefront

• The Eastern Front was dissolved following Russia's withdrawal from the war due to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in December 1917.

New Weaponry

• The introduction of the machine gun, capable of firing 600 bullets per minute, significantly increased the lethality and destruction on the battlefield.

Characterization of World War I

• World War I was characterized as a total war, where all resources from military to civilian sectors were mobilized to support the war effort and achieve victory.

Test your knowledge of the resources mobilization and Eastern Front battle zones during World War I. Learn about the societal focus on the war effort and the bloody fighting in Eastern Europe.