colonies were quite far from Germany they could not receive any immediate help, and therefore surrendered to the Allies. Italy falls to Austrian onslaught Italy formally joined the Allies in the war in May . Italians were fighting with the Austrians and continued to sustain their resistance. But when the Germans came to Austria’s help, the Italians collapsed.
Central Powers’ Victories The Central Powers successfully occupied Belgium and a part of France in the north-east, Poland, Serbia and Romania. The epicentre of the struggle was the western front and the seas. As the Allies controlled the sea-routes, they cut off the supply of food and other material reaching the Central Powers. In Germany and Austria women and children suffered from hunger and privation.
Germany attacked England by air. Bombs were thrown on London and places where there were major factories. Later aeroplanes were used for targeting civilian population. The Germans introduced poison gas and soon both sides resorted to its use.
Naval Battles and America’s Entry into the War In a naval battle (Battle of Jutland) had taken place in the North Sea. The British won the battle. Thereafter Germany started their submarine warfare and their cruisers went roaming about, interfering with the shipping of the Allies. One of these was the famous Emden, which bombarded Madras.
As a counter measure to the blockade the Germans proclaimed in January that they would sink even neutral ships in certain waters. Lusitania , an American ship, was torpedoed by a German submarine. There was a lot of resentment in the USA and President Wilson declared war against Germany in April . America’s entry with its enormous resources made Allied victory a foregone conclusion.
Sinking of Lusitania (c) The Armistice and Treaty of Versailles Germany ultimately surrendered in November . The armistice took effect from November . Germany was forced to accept harsh terms by the political situation at home with the abdication of the Kaiser William II. Peace Conference in Paris The Peace Conference opened in Paris in January , two months after the signing of the armistice.