Japan And Gallipoli
On August 15, 1914 the Japanese government, claiming that it desired "to secure firm and enduring peace in Eastern Asia," sent an ultimatum to Germany demanding the handover of the German-leased territory of Jiaozhou (northeastern China) to Japanese authorities without compensation. The same note also demanded that the German navy unconditionally withdraw its warships from Japanese and Chinese waters. When the Germans refused to comply, the Japanese entered the war on the side of the Allies on August 23, 1914.
After withdrawing the battleships, the British high command decided to land a combined force of English, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers on the beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula. The campaign was a disaster. Turkish defenders quickly pinned down the Allied troops on the beaches. Trapped between the sea and the hills, Allied soldiers dug in and engaged in their own version of trench warfare. The resulting stalemate produced a total of 250,000 casualties on each side. Despite the losses, Allied leaders took nine months to admit their campaign had failed. Gallipoli was a debacle with long-term consequences. Although the British led the campaign, the Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders suffered most of the casualties. That led to a weakening of imperial ties and paved the way for emerging national identities.
After withdrawing the battleships, the British high command decided to land a combined force of English, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers on the beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula. The campaign was a disaster. Turkish defenders quickly pinned down the Allied troops on the beaches. Trapped between the sea and the hills, Allied soldiers dug in and engaged in their own version of trench warfare. The resulting stalemate produced a total of 250,000 casualties on each side. Despite the losses, Allied leaders took nine months to admit their campaign had failed. Gallipoli was a debacle with long-term consequences. Although the British led the campaign, the Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders suffered most of the casualties. That led to a weakening of imperial ties and paved the way for emerging national identities.
U.S. Involvement In World War One
- 1917
- Sided with the Allies
- After the outbreak of the war, the U.S. pursued a neutrality that favored the Allies, and as the war progressed, the U.S. became increasingly committed economically to an Allied victory.