🎖️The First World War

How a global war began and ended for Britain.

1. An age of optimism

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   The early 20th century was a time of optimism in Britain, a global superpower with a vast Empire, an admired navy and thriving industry.

2. Franz Ferdinand assassinated

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   Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated. This set off a chain of events leading to the First World War of 1914 to 1918.

   then on 28 June 1914

3. Allies against Central Powers

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   Britain was part of the Allied Powers, with France, Russia and others, fighting the Central Powers, mainly Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

   so Britain joined

4. The Empire fights too

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   The whole British Empire was involved. More than a million Indians fought for Britain, and men from the West Indies, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada also fought.

   and across the world

5. The Somme

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   There were more than 2 million British casualties. The British attack on the Somme in July 1916 resulted in about 60,000 British casualties on the first day alone.

   the cost was huge, for example

6. Armistice 1918

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   The First World War ended at 11.00 am on 11 November 1918, with victory for Britain and its allies.