Heritage

Contents119VI. ANNEX II – Underwater Cultural Heritagefrom the First World WarHistorical Context of Underwater Cultural Heritage from the FirstWorld WarThe First World War began on 28July 1914 and ended on 11 November1918. The assassination of ArchdukeFranz Ferdinand of Austria,heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary,was its immediate trigger. Itsreal causes, however, were primarilyforeign policy issues. The war involvedthe world’s major powers.More than 70 million soldiers tookpart in the conflict, which becameone of the most extensive wars inhistory. Estimates of casualty numbersrange from 9 million to over 15Austrian Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand and hiswife Sophie on June 28 1914 in Sarajevo. Theywere assassinated five minutes later.million. The First World War paved the way for deep political changes and also ledto the creation of the first permanent international organization with the mission tomaintain world peace, the League of Nations.A major element of the First World War was naval combat between prestigious fleets.The battles between German U-Boats and Allied submarines also represented a stepaway from traditional surface-level naval warfare towards modern submarine war.At the time, success in the combat at sea was considered a crucial factor for the Alliedvictory. Several important battles occurred between large fleets of ships, the most famousbeing the Battle of Jutland (Skagerrakschlacht), along with hundreds of smallerskirmishes. Mainly, however, the Allies focused on blockading the Central Powers bysea, while the latter concentrated on attempts at breaking that blockade or at blockadingthe Allies in turn with the use of submarines. Thousands of ships sank in thesebattles and millions of people lost their lives. Many starved to death as a result of thesea blockades. While the battles are well known their remnants, found in abundanceon the sea bed, are not yet sufficiently acknowledged as historical sites and are highlyendangered.