16.4.1

Forgotten Armies of WWI

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What Do the Stories of the 'Often Forgotten Armies' Reveal?

World War I has often been viewed as a conflict between the Central Powers and the Allies. However, many other nationalities fought on the Western Front.

Illustrative background for What is the Western Front?Illustrative background for What is the Western Front? ?? "content

What is the Western Front?

  • The Western Front was established at the start of the First World War when the Central Powers and the Allies raced to the sea.
    • The Central Powers were Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary.
    • The Allies were Britain, France and Russia.
Illustrative background for Where did the fighting take place?Illustrative background for Where did the fighting take place? ?? "content

Where did the fighting take place?

  • Most of the fighting between armies took place along the Western Front.
  • The Western Front went from the Swiss border with France in the south through France and Belgium to the North Sea.
Illustrative background for Many nationalities fought Illustrative background for Many nationalities fought  ?? "content

Many nationalities fought

  • WW1 is often viewed as a conflict between the British/ French and German armies.
  • But many other nationalities fought on the Western Front.
Illustrative background for Who else fought on the Western Front?Illustrative background for Who else fought on the Western Front? ?? "content

Who else fought on the Western Front?

  • From as early as August 1914 AD, a lot of other soldiers fighting on the Western Front came from the British and French empires.
  • These included:
    • India (British)
    • Algeria (French)
    • Canada (British)
Illustrative background for Shortage of manpowerIllustrative background for Shortage of manpower ?? "content

Shortage of manpower

  • Following the Battle of the Somme in 1916 AD and a shortage of manpower, Britain also recruited Chinese men.
  • The Western Front was very multicultural with many different nationalities and religions.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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