The Great War: 1917 - The Year of Revolutions
The fourth season of The Great War documents a significant expansion of the global conflict as the United States and several additional nations officially enter the war. This period marks a critical shift in the geopolitical landscape, as the scale of the fighting increases substantially. Simultaneously, the narrative covers the internal instability within Russia, which is described as drowning in revolutions. These
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- The series is a documentary production focused on the history of the First World War.
- Indy Neidell serves as the primary on-screen presence for the series.
- The narrative is rooted in the historical context of global war and international politics.
- The series maintains a chronological examination of the conflict as it progresses through its seasons.
Season overview
The fourth season of The Great War documents a significant expansion of the global conflict as the United States and several additional nations officially enter the war. This period marks a critical shift in the geopolitical landscape, as the scale of the fighting increases substantially. Simultaneously, the narrative covers the internal instability within Russia, which is described as drowning in revolutions. These domestic upheavals lead to Russia withdrawing from the ongoing conflict. The season focuses on these major developments, tracking the departure of one major power while observing the arrival of new combatants on the international stage. As the war grows in complexity and geographic reach, the series continues to examine the political and military consequences of these transitions. The documentation provided highlights the dual nature of these events, contrasting the escalating involvement of new participants with the collapse of the Russian war effort. Through this lens, the season captures a pivotal turning point in the history of the conflict, emphasizing the changing alliances and the internal pressures that forced nations to alter their military commitments during this tumultuous period of the early twentieth century.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
The World At War 1917 - Week 128
Jan 5, 2017 · 10 min
This war was supposed to be over by Christmas 1914. Now, as 1917 dawned, the world still knew 10 active theatres of war around the globe: Western Front, Italian Front, Eastern Fron
No Peace For The Wicked - Week 129
Jan 12, 2017 · 10 min
This week 100 years ago there was talk about peace between the great waring nations. But even after millions of casualties, starving people at home and more escalation on the horiz
Fighting on Alpine Peaks - Call for Self Determination - Week 130
Jan 19, 2017 · 10 min
The winter of 1916/1917 is the harshest one so far in the war. Nowhere do the soldiers suffer from these extreme conditions than on the Italian Front in the Dolomites. The fighting
Nivelle's Spring Offensive - Royal Conspiracy In Greece - Week 131
Jan 26, 2017 · 10 min
Germany is about to unleash unrestricted submarine warfare again which might draw the United States into the conflict - but the Germans are not worried. The German Kaiser is instig
Germany Resumes Unrestricted Submarine Warfare - Week 132
Feb 2, 2017 · 10 min
This week 100 years ago, Germany goes all in and resumes unrestricted submarine warfare, their goal is to starve Britain out of the war before Germany cannot continue the war. All
Bulgaria Digs In At Doiran - The Final Blow Against The Senussi - Week 133
Feb 9, 2017 · 10 min
While the US breaks of diplomatic relations with Germany in response to unrestricted submarine warfare, the Western Front is rather quiet. On the Macedonian Front, the Bulgarian Ar
Russian Bombing On The Eastern Front - US Prisoners of War - Week 134
Feb 16, 2017 · 10 min
After breaking of diplomatic relations, the tensions between the US and Germany are still strong. This week the so called Yarrowdale prisoners become pawns in the power play betwee
Mechanised War In Mesopotamia - Toplica Uprising - Week 135
Feb 23, 2017 · 10 min
After the humiliating defeat at Kut last year, the British upped their game in Mesopotamia and this week 100 years ago the British Indian Army starts making gains towards Baghdad.
Conrad Loses His Job - Nivelle's Coup - Week 136
Mar 2, 2017 · 10 min
The new Austro-Hungarian Kaiser is not happy about his Empire's dependence on the German ally. And he is also not happy about their own military decisions and over the winter has w
The Russian February Revolution 1917 - Week 137
Mar 9, 2017 · 10 min
Food shortages, an overall desolate supply situation and great political turmoil make Russia ripe for revolution and this week 100 years ago, the people take to the streets. The US
The Tsar Abdicates - Baghdad Falls - Week 138
Mar 16, 2017 · 10 min
The protests that emerged in Russia this week are growing stronger and the Tsar is increasingly isolated until even his generals are pushing for his abdication. And after 300 years
Kaiser Karl Wants Peace - The Sixtus Affair - Week 139
Mar 23, 2017 · 10 min
Since Kaiser Karl I ascended the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire he was not happy with the progression of the war. He felt that his empire was tied to their German ally more
Lenin Wants To Take The Train - First Battle of Gaza I THE GREAT WAR Week 140
Mar 30, 2017 · 10 min
When the Russian government promises to continue the war and support the Entente with another offensive, the Germans are allowing Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov aka Lenin to us a train fr
The United States Declares War on Germany - Week 141
Apr 6, 2017 · 10 min
Diplomatic tensions after the return of German unrestricted submarine warfare and the aftermath of the Zimmermann telegram lead to the United States declaration of war on Germany t
The Canadian Corps Takes Vimy Ridge - The Battle of Arras - Week 142
Apr 13, 2017 · 10 min
This week 100 years ago, the Western Front comes to live with a big British offensive at Arras. The Canadian Corps and the British 51st Infantry Division take Vimy Ridge which had
The Nivelle Offensive - Carnage At The Chemin Des Dames - Week 143
Apr 20, 2017 · 10 min
French Commander Robert Nivelle was sure that his offensive would bring the final victory against Germany. He scaled up his successful plan from Verdun which had worked so well and
The Battle of Doiran - Turmoil In The French Army - Week 144
Apr 27, 2017 · 10 min
The Salonica Front had been quiet over the winter, but much like the recent battles on the Western Front, it erupted this week. The British Army tried to take the Bulgarian positio
The Battle of Arleux - Robert Nivelle Gets Fired - Week 145
May 4, 2017 · 10 min
The Battle of Arras continued in smaller scale attacks this week 100 years ago. Fighting focused on Arleux and the Scarpe river. Neither of these battles was able to repeat the suc
The Macedonian Standoff - The Five Nation Army Is Repelled - Week 146
May 11, 2017 · 10 min
Italy, France, Serbia, Britain and Russia joined forces at the Macedonian Front and the "five nation army" wants to break through the lines held by Bulgaria with some German suppor
Tenth Battle of The Isonzo River - Trotsky Arrives in Petrograd - Week 147
May 18, 2017 · 10 min
The Italian Front has been quiet over the winter and while the Austrians used the time to improve their defences, the Italian Army prepared another offensive near the Isonzo River.
German Bombers Over Britain - Arab Revolt On The Advance - Week 148
May 25, 2017 · 10 min
This week 100 years ago, Germany is flying concentrated bomber attacks with multiple Gotha bombers on British cities - causing more damage than any Zeppelin raid before. In the Mid
French Mutinies - Tunnels Under Messines Ridge - Week 149
Jun 1, 2017 · 10 min
The casualties and lack of success during the Nivelle Offensive were too much for the French Army and now the breaking point was reached. While parts of the French Army are in open
The Battle of Messines - Explosion Beneath Hill 60 - Week 150
Jun 8, 2017 · 10 min
In the early morning of June 7 the area around Messines Ridge is shattered by huge explosions beneath the German positions. Miners and sappers had dug tunnels and filled them up wi
Italian Mountain Warfare - The Espionage Act - Week 151
Jun 15, 2017 · 10 min
The US entry into the war had raised some pretty unrealistic expectations among the Allies. When General Pershing arrived in Britain, King George personally told him how he looked
The Disillusionment of Lawrence of Arabia - Week 152
Jun 22, 2017 · 10 min
Almost a year after the secret signing of the Sykes-Picot-Agreement, British intelligence officer and guerrilla fighter T.E. Lawrence learns about the deal. He learns how the Frenc
Russia's New Offensive - The Russian Women's Battalion of Death - Week 153
Jun 29, 2017 · 10 min
After the Russian Revolution, fresh optimism is gripping the troops at the front line and another offensive is planned. The first American troops arrive in France and Greece offici
Turmoil In The Reichstag - The Kerensky Offensive - Week 154
Jul 6, 2017 · 10 min
The German home front is shaken by a political scandal this week 100 years ago. A member of the Center party reveals that the German unrestricted submarine warfare is not achieving
Operation Beach Party - Mustard Gas Unleashed - Week 155
Jul 13, 2017 · 10 min
British Commander Sir Douglas Haig is still convinced of his coming offensive in Flanders. But the Germans know that something is afoot and launch a spoiling attack at the Yser Riv
July Days In Petrograd - Blood On The Nevsky Prospect - Week 156
Jul 20, 2017 · 10 min
The tensions between the Russian Provisional Government, between the civilians and the Bolsheviks turn violent this week 100 years ago. Machine Guns fire into the demonstrations on
Three Years of World War 1 - Week 157
Jul 27, 2017 · 10 min
Christmas 1914 - that's when the war was supposed to be over. And now, in the summer of 1917, it entered its fourth year and there was no end in sight. The British Army was about t
The Battle of Passchendaele - Mutiny in the German Navy - Week 158
Aug 3, 2017 · 10 min
Douglas Haig had been busy since the Battle of Arras came to an end. He amassed huge artillery concentration, got his hands on the new British Mark IV tanks and had a cunning plan
Despair Everywhere - Week 159
Aug 10, 2017 · 10 min
This week Russo-Romanian forces clash with the Central Power´s counteroffensive in the Second Battle of Oltuz. The failure of the Kerensky Offensive disheartens the Russian army an
The Battle of Hill 70 - Mackensen Advances in Romania - Week 160
Aug 17, 2017 · 10 min
The Battle of Passchendaele has turned into a muddy mess, the weather conditions take a toll on both the defenders and the attackers alike. The Canadians relieve some pressure on t
The 2nd Battle Of Verdun - Lost Opportunities On The Isonzo River - Week 161
Aug 24, 2017 · 10 min
The 11th Battle of the Isonzo river continued this week and the Italians manage to break through parts of the Austro-Hungarian lines, they hesitate to exploit the breakthrough thou
The Moscow State Conference - Black Sea Revolutionaries - Week 162
Aug 31, 2017 · 10 min
The political factions that oppose the rise of Bolshevism in post-revolutionary Russia come together for a conference this week 100 years ago. But apart from the Moscow State Confe
The Fall of Riga - 11th Battle of the Isonzo River - Week 163
Sep 7, 2017 · 10 min
The German Army under Oskar von Hutier and his artillery officer Georg "Durchbruchmüller" Bruchmüller takes Riga from the Russians, the French government is reshuffled and the 11th
Attempted Military Coup in Russia - The Kornilov Affair - 164
Sep 14, 2017 · 10 min
The situation in Russia further escalates as Lavr Kornilov attempts to gain complete power with a military coup. The result is a disaster for him and thousands of armed Bolsheviks
British Advance At Passchendaele - Week 165
Sep 21, 2017 · 10 min
Herbert Plumer had a cunning plan to crack the German defences at Passchendaele, he would "bite and hold" only small pieces of the German Hindenburg Line instead of aiming for the
Battle of Polygon Wood - Betrayal At The Italian Front - Week 166
Sep 28, 2017 · 10 min
The British and Australian forces under Sir Herbert Plumer continue to advance at Passchendaele. Plumer's new tactic comes with a high price in men and material but it also gets re
Sabotage In The Desert - Battle of Broodseinde - Week 167
Oct 5, 2017 · 10 min
While the regular British forces were advancing towards Jerusalem and Baghdad, T.E. Lawrence and the Arab Revolt were causing havoc behind the lines. This week 100 years ago, they
Operation Albion - Passchendaele Drowns In Mud - Week 168
Oct 12, 2017 · 10 min
The situation for the German Army on the Western Front looks grim, but in the East they have the upper hand and this week begin to put pressure on the Russians in Operation Albion
Operation Albion Concludes - Allied Failures In Belgium - Week 169
Oct 19, 2017 · 10 min
100 years ago this week, Operation Albion comes to a successful end for the Germans, as revolution is on the horizon in Russia. The Allies aren’t faring quite so well on the Wester
The Battle of La Malmaison - Breakthrough at Caporetto - Week 170
Oct 26, 2017 · 10 min
The French score a morale boosting victory over the German at La Malmaison, but the Canadians were not so successful elsewhere on the Western Front. Whilst the Germans continue on
Battle of Beersheba - Canadian Frustration - Balfour Declaration - Week 171
Nov 2, 2017 · 10 min
On the Western Front this week, the Canadians under Sir Arthur Currie attempt to advance once more, whilst Haig remains optimistic about an imminent breakthrough. Following Caporet
The Russian October Revolution 1917 - Week 172
Nov 9, 2017 · 10 min
After the turmoil of the past weeks in Petrograd, the Soviets and the Red Guards seize the opportunity and topple the provisional government under Alexander Kerensky. Their first g
The End Of Passchendaele - Fighting in Petrograd - Week 173
Nov 16, 2017 · 10 min
The Anti-Bolshevik forces in Russia are trying to fight back last week's revolution. The Battle of Passchendaele ends after 3 months of fighting and at least 500,000 casualties on
Tank Corps Unleashed - The Battle of Cambrai - Week 174
Nov 23, 2017 · 10 min
After stopping the offensive at Passchendaele, the British Army launches another, albeit more limited, offensive. Almost 500 tanks are put into place and the initial success is rem
All Quiet On The Eastern Front - Action in East Africa - Week 175
Nov 30, 2017 · 10 min
This week in the Great War, the Battle of the Ngomano was fought in East Africa between the Germans and Portuguese, which was a decisive win for Lettow-Vorbeck’s men. On the Easter
Halifax Explosion - Peace in the East? - Week 176
Dec 7, 2017 · 10 min
This week in the Great War, we see some action in Italy and none at all in Russia - the peace negotiations are well underway. The Allied Supreme War Council meets for the first tim
Jerusalem Surrenders - Bolsheviks Consolidate Control - Week 177
Dec 14, 2017 · 10 min
This week in the Great War, the British under Allenby capture the Holy City. Meanwhile the British War Cabinet beings to strategise for future offensives. In Russia, though the fig
The Armistice of Brest-Litovsk - Week 178
Dec 21, 2017 · 10 min
An armistice between Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia is signed this week 100 years ago at Brest-Litovsk. And right away the Germans make their intentions clear that they want t
Ludendorff Plans for a Spring Offensive - Week 179
Dec 28, 2017 · 10 min
This week, the peace negotiations are underway at Brest-Litovsk. Meanwhile, the German High Command begins to plan for a game-changing offensive in the spring. There’s action in It