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The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
On 28 June 1914, set in train a series of diplomatic events that led inexorably to the outbreak of war in Europe at the end of July 1914. It all started when Ferdinand and his wife Sophia were killed by Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip while on a formal visit to Sarajevo. Princip shot Ferdinand at point blank range while the latter was travelling in his car from a town hall reception, having earlier that day already survived one assassination attempt. -
Period: to
WWI
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Germany declares war on Russia
When the Russians came to the defense of the Serbs, the Germans had no choice but to go to war to defend their Austrian allies. Their strategy for war against Russia was the Schefffein Plan which called for an initial attack against France, Russia's ally. So even though Germany had no dispute with France at the time, it still declared war against France -
Germany invades Luxembourg
German forces following the "Shlieffen Plan" invaded Belgium and Luxembourg. They engaged the heavily defended Belgium forces at Liege and overran it. By August 20th the Germans had entered Brussels. -
Poison Gas is first used on the Western Front,
The use of poison gases in World War I ranged from disabling chemicals, such as tear gas and the severe mustard gas, to lethal agents like phosgene and chlorine. This chemical warfare was a major component of the first global war and first total war of the 20th century. The killing capacity of gas, however, was limited – only four percent of combat deaths were due to gas. Because it was possible to develop effective countermeasures against attacks, gas was unlike most other weapons of the period -
The treaty of london is signed
After receiving the promise of significant territorial gains, Italy signs the Treaty of London, committing itself to enter World War I on the side of the Allies.With the threat of imminent war looming in July 1914, the Italian army under Chief of Staff Luigi Cadorna had begun preparing for war against France, according to Italy's membership in the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Under the terms of that agreement, however, Italy was only bound to defend its -
Battle of the Somme
The first tank battle in the world took place during World War I, at Flers-Courcelette on the Somme River, in France. The Battle of Flers-Courcelette was part of the larger Battle of the Somme.The Allies were under a great deal of pressure from German forces at Verdun, in France. Allied forces decided to launch an offensive attack along the Somme River.After a while, the Allies realized that they were not getting anywhere, so they decided to try using British tanks. -
Turkey declares independence from European suzerainty.
TURKEY CLAIMS NEW FREEDOM; Proclaims Her Independence of Suzerainty of the Great Powers of Europe. EQUALITY WITH GERMANY Repudiates Two Treaties and Abolishes Special Status of Liva of Lebanon. Text of the Communication. TURKEY CLAIMS NEW FREEDOM The Treaty of Berlin. Other Restrictions Repudiated -
US declares war on Germany
On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany. Although President Woodrow Wilson had campaigned for reelection in 1916 emphasizing how he had kept the United States out of the war, he soon realized that the United States could not stand by and remain neutral in the Great War.At the end of January 1917, German U-Boats resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, attacking ships in the Atlantic Ocean. Shortly afterwards, the British released the Zimmermann telegram to the American goverme -
Germany and Russia sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
On the 3rd December 1917 a conference between a Russian delegation, headed by Leon Trotsky and German and Austrian representatives began at Brest-Litovsk. Trotsky had the difficult task of trying to end Russian participation in the First World War without having to grant territory to the Central Powers. By employing delaying tactics Trotsky hoped that socialist revolutions would spread from Russia to Germany and Austria-Hungary before he had to sign the treaty. -
Germany signs an armistice with the Allies.
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918, and marked the end of fighting in the First World War on the Western Front. Principal signatories were Marshal Ferdinand Foch, the Allied Commander-in-chief, and Matthias Erzberger, Germany's representative. It was an agreement that marked a complete defeat for Germany, but was neither an unconditional surrender nor a treaty.
