Military historian Dan Snow answers the most asked questions about World War I, covering everything from the assassination of Franz Ferdinand that triggered the global conflict to the brutal reality of life in the trenches. 0:00 Introduction 0:47 What was World War I? 1:27 When was World War I? 2:10 What triggered World War I? 4:43 Which countries were involved in World War I? 5:04 Where was World War I fought? 6:08 What was World War I called while it was happening? 6:31 Why was World War I inevitable? 7:21 Where did World War I soldiers come from? 8:13 Were people forced to fight in World War I? 9:14 Why were white feathers handed out during World War I? 10:21 Was World War I fought in trenches? 11:23 Where were the World War I trenches? 12:14 What was life like in a World War I trench? 14:00 Did World War I soldiers really play football on Christmas Day? 14:38 Were tanks used in World War I? 16:23 What was the biggest battle of World War I? 17:41 What did Churchill do during World War I? 18:46 What did women do in World War I? 19:39 What was Hitler doing in World War I? 20:14 Did Canada fight in World War I? 20:57 Did Russia fight in World War I? 21:46 Did Japan fight in World War I? 22:18 Was there rationing in World War I? 23:01 Why was poetry important in World War I? 24:18 Why did the USA join World War I? 25:20 How did World War I end? 26:43 Who won World War I? 27:29 Why was World War I important? 28:50 Are the World War I trenches still there? #WarHistory #WW1 #WorldWar1 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZwU2G-KVl-P-O-B35chZOQ/join
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Excellent as ever! Canada's role in WW1 isn't so well known really. A programme just about this would be good. Nice one Dan and team! ✨⭐👍
The statement of who war is for and who causes them is so amazing. Thank you for putting it so plainly.
Thank you Dan ❤
What triggered WWI? There was definitely an ostrich involved!
So great that if you live (like me) in Belgium the forest still have thousands of non exploded shells and grenades. Quite dangerous
WWI is truly the one event that set in motion everything that came afterwards... and yet, people don't often find it interesting. That's how sad wars can be.
My Canadian great-uncle was conscripted in WWI. He served with the 38th Battalion (Ottawa) Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was wounded on September 2, 1918 in the 100 Day Offensive during the Battle of Drocourt-Quéant Line, and died of his injuries on September 10, 1918. He is buried in Terlincthun British Military Cemetery in Wimile, France.
You know something, Dan Snow.
In terms of how WWI still affect the world today, Australia became a country in 1901 and so WWI was seen as its trial by fire. The Gallipoli Campaign was the first one it took part in on the 25th April, 1915 and to this very day, Australia and NZ commemorate that day to remember the lives lost in all wars.
Yes Canada fought in WW I, my grandad was there. Here in BC I've visited a ghost town that had been abandoned near Savona because all the men did not come back from the war.
A Canadian poem, "In Flanders Fields", is carved into the wall of the Peace Tower of Canada's parliament.
Over 80 Canadian soldiers are buried at St Margaret’s Church (the "Marble Church") in Bodelwyddan, North Wales, mostly dying from the 1918–1919 Spanish Flu pandemic while waiting at nearby Kinmel Park Camp for repatriation after World War I. Five were killed in a March 1919 riot at the camp.
My grandfather, Curtis Chester Earnst, served in the 137 Transportation Company and was blinded during a chemical attack. He passed away in ‘63, three years before my birth.
As I was taught, the original term proposed for the tank as it was being developed was "water carrier" - mostly so that if/when the enemy got wind of this new invention, it wouldn't seem so threatening. Rather quickly, the officer placed in charge of this new technology recognised the obvious nickname that would come about amongst the troops - the "W.C." - and coined proactively coined the term "tank" instead. PS: The reason tanks originally didn't move at more than a walk is that they were intended to be troop support, so there's no need to move faster than the troops can move on their feet. They weren't expected to be ranging through the countryside on their own, and certainly not expected to take on other tanks on a 1-on-1 basis.
Great stuff as always, Dan! This Canadian believes in you too! 😊 🇨🇦
This guy is incredible at this. His knowledge and enthusiasm are amazing.
Amazing summary of WWl I have visited battlefields of WWl and WWll and can't imagine what those soldiers went through. Thanks Dan and team.
Speaking of "soldier poets", in elementary school I studied a short poem by Giuseppe Ungaretti, I write it in English: Soldiers: We are like in autumn the leaves on the trees. Now in original language: Soldati: Si sta come d’autunno sugli alberi le foglie
Great video. Thanks for the Canadian shout out.
A weapon system in use in less than 2 years in today's world Dan? Easy- I refer you to most of the Ukrainian drones and the Flamingo missile in partticular!