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Period: to
World War I
World War I or "The War to End All Wars" Time Period -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were assassinated while in their motorcade in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. This was one of the main kickers for the start of World War I or the "War to End All Wars". Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Pretty soon, Germany, Russia, Great Britain, and France were all drawn into the war, largely because they were involved in treaties that obligated them to defend certain other nations. -
Germany Declares War on Russia France and Germany
Germany declares war on Russia and France. Both sides mobilze their massive armies for war. Germany thought that Russia would not respond with military actions due to lack of preparation. Russia Declares war on Germany because of their agressive actions against Serbia -
Germany Sinks The Lusitania
The British passenger ship was atacked and sunk by a German U-Boat without warning, killing about 120 Americans. This was one of the main reasons why the US joined the Great War with the allies. -
Battle of Verdun
A major battle near the Frenches primary command center that was fought mainly be French and German armies. This battle was one of the longest battles that ever lasted and ended with nearly one million soldiers dead on both factions. -
Period: to
Battle of Verdun Time Period
One of the longest battles in the war that took nearly one million soldier's lives. The battle was mainly between French and German forces and lasted for nearly eleven months -
Batte of Jutland
The first and only major naval battle between both the British Royal Navy and the Imperial Germany Fleet. In the end there was no clear winner from either side. -
Battle of Somme
Another great battle fought between Allied and German forces that lasted for about five months. Casualties for both armies were close enough to about one million. The Allies also could not break through the German lines even with the effective British tanks for support -
Germany Engourages Mexico to Enter War
Reich Foreign Secretary Zimmermann's telegram to Mexico urging her entry into war against the United States is discovered and translated by the British. -
The USA Joins the Fight
The US joins the Great War after Germany U-Boats sunk 2 British cruisers with 127 Americans onboard the ships. As the US enters the fight, Russia pulls out in November due to the Bolshevik Revolution, which prompted Russia to leave the war. -
The Red Baron Shot Down
The infamous Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen) was shot down, while chasing after a Canadian novice fighter pilot. Germany mourned the loss of one of their ace fighters that shot down so many allied planes. -
World War I Armistice Negotiations
The German generals requested armistice negotiations with the Allies in November of 1918. Under the terms of the armistice, the German Army was allowed to remain intact and was not forced to admit defeat by surrendering. U.S. General John J. Pershing had misgivings about this, saying it would be better to have the German generals admit defeat.
