-
Roosevelt Corollary
Roosevelt delivers the Roosevlet Corollary, which promotes American intervention in Latin American countries that default on their debts to European nations. -
The Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was the German General Staff's early 20th century overall strategic plan for victory in a possible future war where it might find itself fighting on two fronts: France to the west and Russia to the east. -
Dollar Diplomacy
Taft convinces American bankers to assume the Honduran debt in order to fend off English bondholders. Other such deals were constructed to keep out European investment in the Americas. -
Archduke Francis Ferdinand Assassinated
A Serbian nationalist murders the presumed heir to the throne of Austria- Hungary. Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia, Russia prepares to defend its friend, and Germany declares war on Russia. WORLD WAR I Begins. -
Period: to
World War I
Although, World War I is originally a European war. It eventually escalates to a global conflict involving 32 nations. It begins when Germany and Russia go to war with Serbia. Both sides mobilized all of their resources for the war, including massive armies. The conflict even spreads to the varios colonies of the European nations. New military technologies and an equal balance of power drove the war to new heights of human slaughter. -
Russia Enters
As an ally of Serbia, Russia announces full mobilization of her armed forces. -
Germany Declares a War on Russia
Germany mobilize her army to support her neighboor Austria-Hungary and declares a war on Russia two days after Russia declares a war on Austria Hungary. -
Germany Declares a War on France
Germany declares a war on France but they invade accross the neutral Belgium to make a quick invasion against France. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany. -
Trench System
The main reason World War I developed into a “trench war” was the machine gun. Then, when they finally came out with tanks, the trenches started to be deeper, and had huge mounds built around them to stop the tanks from advancing. In summer, the trench would be exposed to the hot sun. In winter, trenches are full of heavy rain, mud, and snow. There was no sanitation and rats were a big problem. Technically, the introduction of trenches significantly slowed warfare down. -
Chromosome Theory of Heredity
American geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan publishes a paper detailing his theory of linear arrangement of genes on chromosomes. This provides irrefutable proof that chromosome theory of inheritance, presented in 1902, is sound. -
Treaty of London
Italy secretly joins the Triple Entente. ByMay of 1915, Italy decclares war on Austria. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania was an ocean liner owned by Cunard Lines. She was attacked by a German U-boat without a warning and sank in eighteen minutes. 1,198 were the victims including about 128 American citizens. Thid event, did a lot to turn public opinion of several countries, including the United States, against the Germans. -
U- boat Sinks Lusitania
A German submarine (U-boat) sinks the British passenger liner Lusitania without warning, killing 1198 people on board, including 128 American citizens. -
Conscription Introcuced in Britain
Beginning in 1916, the law in Britain stated that each man had to serve in the military for a certain period of time. Britain was beginning to run out of volunteer soldiers. -
General Theory of Relativity
German American theoretical physicist Albert Einstein publishes his general theory of relativity, which suggests that the universe is curved and adds the dimension of time to the dimensions of height, width, and breadth. It succeeds Newton's theory as the basic explanation of gravitation. -
Battle of Verdun
A ten-month long battle between the German and French Armies. Hundreds of thousands died on both sides and no real advantage was won for either country. The French successfully defended the city of Verdun and pushed the German forces back. -
Period: to
Battle of Verdun
German General Erich Von Falkenhayn addresses the stalemate on the Western Front with an assault on the French city and fortress of Verdum. The battle cost more than 700,000 casualties and results in no strategic advantage for either side. -
Beginning of the Brusilov Offensive
The Brusilov Offensive is known as the Russians greatest feat furing the war and is ranked as one of the world's most deadly battles. It was a major offensive against the armies of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria, Italy) in what is now the Ukraine. The battle lasted through August and achieved several goals, including distracting Germany from Verdun and severely crippling Austro-Hungarian Army. -
German Submarine Warfare
Germany adopted a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Great Britain. -
Zimmerman Telegram
United States public opinion take a turn against Germany when the British navy intercepts a message from German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman. Addressing the German envoy in Mexico, Zimmerman calls for a German- Mexican alliance that would support Mexico's reclaiming of territories lost in the Mexican- American War. -
Feburuary Revolution in Russia
Was the 2nd revoluation in Russian history. The heavy toll of WWI and failing economic conditions in russia ignite worker strikes and among soldiers. A new government is created called the Soviets. -
Romanov Dynasty Ends
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed during World War I.In addition, the winter of 1916-17 was one of the coldest in history and the peasants were starving.In March of 1917 Czar was forced to sign away his empire.
"On the night of July 17, 1918, the Romanov dynasty that had ruled Russia for more than three centuries ended in a barrage of gunfire that filled the small basement of a villa in the foothills of the Urals. The truth of what happened there was meant to remain forever hidden." -
United States Enters World War I
Three years after the fighting began in Europe, the United States enters World War I when German submarine attacks on Atlantic shipping finally strained its neutrality. United States involvement lasts until November 1918 and costs the lives of 26,000 American soldiers. The emtry of the United States turns the tide of the war toward victory for the Allies and the nation emerges as a major world power. -
Balfour Declaration
British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour issues a statement that the British government supports the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. -
Qajar Dynasty in Iran
1794-1925
Agha M. Khan wars with the various factions and gains control over the Iranian plateau, establishing the Qajar Dynasty. During the mid- 19th century, the Qajars sell concessions to Russia and Great Britain, allowing them to gain control over Iranian territories and the national economy. -
Woodrow Wilson Outlines Fourteen Points for Peace
In a joint session of Congress, President Woodrow Wilsonoutlines his 14 points for peace following WWI. European nations fail to accept all 14 points at the Paris Peace Conference and the United States congress refuses to join the newly formed league. -
Russians Sign the Treaty of Brest- Litovsk
Russia recently on power, agree to stop fighting the Centeral Power of WWI by signing the Treaty. Russia agrees to pay reparattions , and yeilds Finland, Ukraine, Poland, the Blatic provinces and parts of the Caucasus. The Allies annul the treaty when they defeat Germany later that year. -
First Artificial Nuclear Reaction
British physicist Ernest Rutherford bombards nitrogen gas with alpha particles and obtains atoms of an oxygen isotope and protons. This transmutation of nitrogen into oxygen is the first artificially induced nuclear reaction. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The official peace settlement known as the Treaty of Versailles was signed near the beautiful palace at Versailles, near Paris. The treaty was very harsh on Germany. The treaty forced Germany to accept full responsibility for the the war and pay reparations, give up territories and reduce the army size to a meager 100,000 souls,
