The First World War

1. 

   E1. To Arms (1914)

   Sep 20, 2003 · 60m

   The First World War shaped the twentieth century. It sparked the Russian Revolution, and it launched America as a world power. The fault-line from its failed peace settlement led to a second terrible world war barely twenty years later.

2. 

   E2. Under the Eagle (1914-1915)

   Sep 27, 2003 · 60m

   The first months of the war on the Western Front were mobile, fast and dangerous; casualty rates were higher than with later trench warfare. The Germans were halted by the Allies at the Battle of the Mame, fell back to high ground and dug in. The Allies followed suit.

3. 

   E3. Global War (1914-1916)

   Oct 4, 2003 · 60m

   War for Europe meant war for the world. Germany gambled that Britain might risk everything to protect her Empire - even victory on the Western Front. So, to divert British resources, maverick German commanders led the British a dance; across the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

4. 

   E4. Jihad (1914-1916)

   Oct 11, 2003 · 60m

   The Ottoman Empire, Germany's ally, summoned all Muslims to Jihad - holy war - to overthrow Allied power in the Middle East. They proved a formidable foe, as the Allies found to their cost at Gallipoli and in the Middle East.

5. 

   E5. Shackled to a Corpse (1914-1916)

   Oct 18, 2003 · 60m

   As the Germans and Austrians clashed with The Russians on the bitter Eastern Front, Italy became embroiled in a terrible slaughter.

6. 

   E6. Breaking the Deadlock (1915-1917)

   Oct 25, 2003 · 60m

   Attrition, "lions led by donkeys", the slaughter only ceasing for a brief truce one Christmas - old, mistaken views of the war on the Western Front. In fact there was constant tactical evolutions; hundreds of generals died in action; some men adopted a system of "Live and Let Live", with countless informal local truces.

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