The FIRST WORLD WAR (on July, 28th 1914 – on November, 11th 1918), the first military conflict of a world scale in which have been involved 38 of 59 independent states existing at that time. About 73,5 million persons have been mobilized; from them are killed and have died of 9,5 million wounds, more than 20 million are wounded, 3,5 million remained cripples.

Principal causes. Search of the reasons of war conducts to 1871 when process of association of Germany and hegemony of Prussia has come to the end has been fixed in the German empire. At the chancellor of the Island a background Bismarck which aspired to revive system of the unions, the foreign policy of the German government was defined by aspiration to achieve a leading position of Germany in Europe. To deprive France possibility to revenge for defeat in ex-Prussian war, Bismarck has tried to connect Russia and Austro-Hungary with Germany confidential agreements (1873). However Russia has supported France, and the Union of three emperors has broken up. To 1882 Bismarck has strengthened positions of Germany, having created the Tripartite alliance in which have united Austro-Hungary, Italy and Germany. To 1890 Germany left for the first roles in the European diplomacy.

France left diplomatic isolation and in 1891–1893. Having used cooling of relations between Russia and Germany, and also requirement of Russia for new capitals, she has concluded the military convention and the contract on the union with Russia. The Russian-French union should serve as a counterbalance to the Tripartite alliance. Great Britain while stood away from rivalry on continent, however pressure of political and economic circumstances has forced it to make in due course the choice. Nationalist sentiments reigning in Germany, its aggressive colonial policy, prompt industrial expansion and, mainly, escalating of power of navy fleet should disturb Englishmen. A series concerning fast diplomatic maneuvers has led to elimination of distinctions in positions of France and Great Britain and to the conclusion in 1904 so-called« The warm consent »(Entente Cordiale). Obstacles in a way to the English-Russian cooperation have been overcome, and in 1907 the English-Russian agreement has been entered into. Russia became participant Antanty. Great Britain, France and Russia have formed the union the Triple consent (Triple Entente) in a counterbalance to the Tripartite alliance. Thereby the section of Europe on two armed camps was issued.
Universal strengthening of nationalist sentiments became one of the war reasons. Formulating the interests, ruling circles of each of the European countries aspired to present them as national expectations. France bore plans of returning of the lost territories of Alsace and Lorraine. Italy, even being in the union with Austro-Hungary, dreamed to return the earths Trentino, Trieste and Fiume. Poles saw possibility of a reconstruction of the state destroyed by sections of 18 century To national independence in war many people occupying Austro-Hungary aspired. Russia has been convinced that cannot develop without restriction of the German competition, protection of Slavs against Austro-Hungary and influence expansion on the Balkans. In Berlin the future contacted defeat of France and Great Britain and association of the countries of the Central Europe under the direction of Germany. In London believed that the people of Great Britain will live easy, only having broken the main enemy – Germany.

Intensity in the international relations has been strengthened by a number of diplomatic crises – the ex-German collision in Morocco in 1905–1906; annexation by the Austrians of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908–1909; at last, the Balkan wars 1912–1913. Great Britain and France supported interests of Italy in the North Africa and by that have so weakened its adherence to the Tripartite alliance that Germany practically could not count on Italy any more as on the ally in the future war.
July crisis and the war beginning. After the Balkan wars against an Austro-Hungarian monarchy there has been begun active nationalist propagation. The group of Serbs, members of the secret organization «Young Bosnia», has made decision to kill the successor of a throne of Austro-Hungary эрцгерцога Frantsa Ferdinand. Possibility was for this purpose presented, when that together with the wife has gone to Bosnia on doctrines of Austro-Hungarian armies. Frants Ferdinand has been killed in the city of Sarajevo by grammar-school boy Gavrilo the Principle on June, 28th 1914.

Intending to begin war against Serbia, Austro-Hungary has got support of Germany. Last considered that war will accept local character if Russia not begins to protect Serbia. But if that assists Serbia also Germany will be ready to execute the treaty obligations and to support Austro-Hungary. In the ultimatum shown to Serbia on July, 23rd, Austro-Hungary has demanded to admit on territory of Serbia the military formations that together with the Serbian forces to stop hostile actions. The answer to the ultimatum has been given in the term stipulated the 48-sentry, but it has not satisfied Austro-Hungary, and on July, 28th it has declared Serbia war. S.D.Sazonov, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia, has openly opposed Austro-Hungary, having received assurances of support from the French president R.Puankare. On July, 30th Russia declared general mobilization; Germany used this occasion on August, 1st to declare war of Russia, and on August, 3rd – France. The position of Great Britain still remained uncertain owing to its treaty obligations on protection of a neutrality of Belgium. In 1839, and then during ex-Prussian war Great Britain, Prussia and France have given to this country collective guarantees of a neutrality. After intrusion of Germans on August, 4th to Belgium Great Britain has declared war of Germany. Now all great powers of Europe have been involved in war. Together with them their dominions and colonies have been involved in war.
War can be divided into three periods. During the first period (1914–1916) Central powers achieved overweight of forces on a land, and allies commanded the seas. Position seemed патовым. This period has come to the end with negotiations about the mutually acceptable world, but each of the parties still hoped for a victory. During the following period (1917) there were two events which have led to a disbalance of forces: the first – the introduction into war of the USA on party Antanty, the second – revolution to Russia and its withdrawal from a war. The third period (1918) has begun last large approach of the Central powers in the west. Failure of this approach was followed by revolutions in Austro-Hungary and Germany and capitulation of the Central powers.

The first period. Allied forces included in the beginning Russia, France, Great Britain, Serbia, Montenegro and Belgium and possessed the overwhelming superiority on the sea. Антанта had 316 cruisers, and at Germans and their Austrians was 62. But the last have found a counteraction powerful tool – submarines. To the beginning of war of army of the Central powers totaled 6,1 million persons; armies Antanty – 10,1 million persons. The central powers possessed advantage in internal communications that allowed them to throw operatively armies and equipment from one front on another. In long prospect of the country Antanty possessed surpassing resources of raw materials and the foodstuffs as the British fleet has paralysed communications of Germany with the overseas countries, whence before war on the German enterprises copper, tin and nickel arrived. Thus, in case of dragged-out war of Antanta could count on a victory. Germany, knowing it, staked on lightning war – "blitzkrieg".

Germans have installed the plan of Shliffena, assuming to provide with approach by large forces to France through Belgium fast success in the West. After defeat of France Germany counted together with Austro-Hungary, having thrown the released armies, to strike solving blow in the east. But this plan has not been carried out. Sending of a part of German divisions to Lorraine on purpose began one of the main reasons of its failure to block intrusion of the opponent into southern Germany. On the night of August, 4th Germans have intruded on territory of Belgium. They needed some days to break resistance of defenders of the strengthened areas of Namur and Liege blocking a way to Bruxelles, but thanks to this delay Englishmen have forwarded almost 90-thousand forwarding case through La Manche to France (on August, 9-17th). Frenchmen have won time for formation of 5 armies which have constrained approach of Germans. Nevertheless on August, 20th the German army has occupied Bruxelles, then has compelled Englishmen to leave Mons (on August, 23rd), and on September, 3rd the army of general А.фон of Kluka has appeared in 40 km from Paris. Continuing approach, Germans forced the river Marne and on September, 5th have stopped along a line Paris – Verdun. The commander of the French forces general Z.Zhoffr, having generated from reserves two new armies, has made the decision on transition in counterattack.
The first battle on Marne has begun 5 and has come to the end on September, 12th. In it participated 6 English-French and 5 German armies. Germans have suffered defeat. Absence on the right flank of several divisions which should be thrown on east front became one of the reasons of their defeat. The French approach to the weakened right flank has made inevitable a withdrawal of German armies to the north, on a river Ena boundary. Unsuccessful for Germans there were also battles in Flanders on the rivers Izer and Ieper on October, 15th - on November, 20th. As a result the basic ports on La Manche remained in hands of allies that provided the message between France and England. Paris has been rescued, and the countries Antanty have received time for mobilization of resources. War in the west has accepted item character, calculation of Germany on defeat and a conclusion of France from war has appeared insolvent.

Opposition went on a line lasting on the south from Newport and Ieper in Belgium, to Kompenu and Suassonu, further on the east round Verdun and on the south to a ledge near Sen-Mijelja, and then jugo-to the east – to the Swiss border. Along this line of tranches and wire entanglements extent apprx. 970 km conducted four years окопная war. Till March 1918 any, even front line minor alterations were reached by huge losses from both parties.

There were hopes that on East front Russian can break armies of the block of the Central powers. On August, 17th Russian armies have entered East Prussia and began to restrict Germans to Kenigsbergu. It was entrusted to supervise over counterattack to German generals of Gindenburgu and Ljudendorfu. Having used errors of Russian command, Germans managed to hammer "wedge" between two Russian armies, to crush them on August, 26-30th near Tannenberga and to force out from East Prussia. Austro-Hungary operated not so successfully, having refused intention quickly to crush Serbia and having concentrated large forces between Vistula and Dnestr. But Russian have begun approach in a southern direction, have broken through defense of Austro-Hungarian armies and, having taken prisoner some thousand persons, have occupied the Austrian province Galicia and a part of Poland. Advancement of Russian armies has created threat of Silesia and Poznan – to important industrial regions for Germany. Germany has been compelled to throw additional forces from France. But the acute shortage of ammunition and the foodstuffs have stopped advancement of Russian armies. Approach costed to Russia huge victims, but has undermined power of Austro-Hungary and compelled Germany to hold great strengths on East front.
In August 1914 war of Germany declared Japan. In October 1914 on the party of the block of the Central powers war was entered by Turkey. With the beginning of war Italy, a member of the Tripartite alliance, declared the neutrality on the ground that neither Germany, nor Austro-Hungary have not undergone to an attack. But on confidential London negotiations in March-May of 1915 countries Antanty promised to satisfy territorial claims of Italy during post-war peaceful settlement in the event that Italy will act on their party. On May, 23rd 1915 Italy has declared war of Austro-Hungary, and on August, 28th 1916 – Germany.

On the western front Englishmen have suffered defeat in the second battle near Ieper. Here during the fights proceeding within month (on April, 22nd - on May, 25th 1915), the chemical weapon for the first time has been used. After that (chlorine, phosgene, and later yperite) both belligerent parties began to apply poisoning gases. Large-scale Dardanellsky landing operation has come to the end with defeat also – sea expedition which was equipped with the countries Antanty in the beginning 1915 on purpose to take Constantinople, to open passages Dardanelless and Bosporus for communication with Russia through Black sea, to deduce Turkey from war and to involve on the party of allies the Balkan states. On East front by the end 1915 German and Austro-Hungarian armies have forced out Russian almost from all Galicia and with большей parts of territory of Russian Poland. But to force Russia to the separate world and it was not possible. In October 1915 Bulgaria has declared war of Serbia then the Central powers together with the new Balkan ally have overstepped the limits of Serbia, Montenegro and Albania. Having grasped Romania and having covered the Balkan flank, they were developed against Italy.
Sea war. The control on the sea gave the chance to Englishmen to move freely armies and technics from all parts of the empire to France. They held opened sea communications for trading courts of the USA. German colonies have been grasped, and trade of Germans through shipping routes has been stopped. As a whole the German fleet – except underwater – has been blocked in the ports. Only from time to time small flotillas left for blow drawing on the British seaside cities and attacks on trading vessels of allies. For all war there was only one large sea battle – when the German fleet left to the North Sea and has unexpectedly met with British near the Danish coast of Jutland. Jutlandsky battle 1916 has led on May, 31st - on June, 1st to heavy losses from both parties: Englishmen have lost 14 ships, apprx. 6800 persons killed, captured and wounded; the Germans considering with winners, – 11 ships and apprx. 3100 persons killed and wounded men. Nevertheless Englishmen have forced German fleet to depart to Kiel where it has been actually blocked. The German fleet in the high sea did not appear any more, and the empress of the seas there was Great Britain.

Having occupied an ascendent position on the sea, allies gradually cut off the Central powers from overseas sources of raw materials and the foodstuffs. According to international law, the neutral countries, for example the USA, could sell the goods which were not considered as "military contraband», to other neutral countries – to the Netherlands or Denmark, whence these goods could be delivered and to Germany. However the at war countries usually did not connect themselves observance of norms of international law, and Great Britain has so expanded the list of the cargoes which were considered illicit that actually of nothing passed through the barriers in the North Sea.

Sea blockade has forced Germany to resort to drastic measures. Its unique effective remedy on the sea there was the underwater fleet capable free to bypass surface barriers and to heat the trading ships of the neutral countries supplying allies. The turn of the countries Antanty has come to accuse Germans of infringement of the international law which obliged to rescue commands and passengers of the torpedoed ships.
On February, 18th 1915 government of Germany declared waters round British isles a military zone and has warned about danger of calling in them of courts of the neutral countries. On May, 7th 1915 German submarine torpedoed and has sunk an ocean steamship "Luzitanija" with hundreds passengers onboard, including 115 citizens of the USA. The president V.Wilson has protested, the USA and Germany have exchanged sharp diplomatic notes.

Verdun and Somme. Germany was ready to go on some concessions on the sea and to search for an exit from deadlock in actions on a land. In April 1916 English armies have already suffered serious defeat at the Kut-ale-amare in Mesopotamia where in a captivity to Turks 13 000 persons have surrendered. On continent Germany prepared for carrying out of large-scale offensive operation on the Western front which should break a course of war and force France to ask about the world. As key point of the French defence the fortress Verdun served. After unprecedented on capacity of artillery bombardment of 12 German divisions on February, 21st 1916 have gone over to the offensive. Germans slowly moved ahead up to the beginning of July, but the planned purposes and have not achieved. Verdun "meat grinder" obviously has not justified calculations of the German command. In spring and summer 1916 operations on East and Southwest fronts had great value. In March Russian armies at the desire of allies have performed operation at the lake Naroch, essentially affected a course of operations in France. German command has been compelled for some time to stop attacks to Verdun and, keeping on East front of 0,5 million persons, to throw here in addition a part of reserves. In the end of May 1916 Russian Supreme command has begun approach to Southwest front. During operations under A.A.Brusilova's command it was possible to carry out break of Austro-German armies on depth of 80-120 km. Armies of Brusilova have occupied a part of Galicia and Bukovina, have entered into Carpathians. For the first time for all previous period of item war the front has been broken through. If this approach has been supported by other fronts would end with accident for the Central powers. To weaken pressure upon Verdun, on July, 1st 1916 allies have put counterstroke on the river Somme, near Bapoma. Within four months – up to November – not stopping attacks were conducted. The English-French armies, having lost apprx. 800 thousand persons, and could not break through the German front. At last, in December the German command has decided to stop approach which costed to a life of 300 000 German soldiers. Campaign 1916 has carried away more than 1 million lives, but has not brought notable results of any of the parties.
Bases for peace talks. In the beginning 20 century have completely changed ways of conducting military operations. Extent of fronts has much more increased, armies battled on the strengthened boundaries and conducted attacks from entrenchments, in offensive combats machine guns and artillery began to play a huge role. New types of the weapon have been applied: tanks, fighters and bombers, submarines, suffocating gases, manual pomegranates. Every tenth inhabitant of the at war country has been mobilised, and 10 % of the population were engaged in army supply. In the at war countries for a usual civil life almost does not remain places: all submitted to the titanic efforts directed on maintenance of a military vehicle. The total cost of war, including property losses, by various estimations, made from 208 to 359 bln. dollars By the end 1916 both parties have got tired of war, and it seemed that the right moment to start peace talks has come.