World War One
Causes of World War One
When World War One started millions of men volunteered to fight. Were they fearless patriots doing their duty or unlucky victims of government propaganda?
Propaganda and conscription
Many young men who joined up to fight in WW1 thought that it would be a brief and glorious adventure – they felt they were doing the right thing for their family and friends.
Trench warfare
The reward of answering the call for army recruits was the horror of trench warfare with its rats, disease, mud, constant shelling and shooting and fear of imminent death.
What was life like on the front line in World War One?
Life in the trenches of World War One was very difficult. The first day of the Battle of the Somme, in 1916, was the deadliest day in the history of the British army.
The end of World War One and the Treaty of Versailles
World War One ended on 11 November 1918, with the surrender of Germany. The Treaty of Versailles punished Germany for their involvement in starting the war.