World War 1: Lessons on the Great War

This is a 4-week course that meets once a week for 1 hour. We will examine the history of World War 1, starting with Archduke Ferdinand, to the treaty of Versailles. The class is a lecture-and discussion-based course. Participation is encouraged but not required. I enjoy telling stories from the perspective of the people who lived through and experienced the events discussed, so much of the class will focus on historical narratives, technology, pictures, and videos of events being studied. 

The course will provide multiple perspectives. No prior knowledge is required. 

Week 1  
Archduke Francis Ferdinand is assassinated. 
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Invasions 
First Battle of the Marne.

Week 2 
German naval blockade
Allied forces land on the Gallipoli Peninsula of the Ottoman Empire.
The Lusitania 
Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary.
Attack on Verdun.

Week 3
War tech
Naval Battle of Jutland
Battle of the Somme.
The United States declares war on Germany.
General John J. Pershing, 


Week 4
American combat forces arrive in France.
Russia signs an armistice with Germany.
Battle of Cantigny, the first independent American operation.
American forces stop German attempts to cross the Marne River at Chateau-Thierry.
Battle at St. Mihiel salient and Meusse-Argonne
End of the War