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The Triple Alliance is Formed
Made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. They were known as the central powers, and opposed the Triple Entente. -
The Triple Entente is Formed
An alliance between Britain, France and Russia. All three members of the Triple Entente entered it as Allies against Germany and Austria-Hungary. -
Austria-Hungary Takes Control of Bosnia
Bosnie and Herzegovina were dual provinces in the Balkan region of Europe formerly under the control of the Ottoman Empire. The annexation enraged Serbia and Russia thought Austria-Hungary was now a threat. Conrad von Hötzendorf wrote to the German chief-of-staff, “The possibility must be reckoned with that in the event of an Austro-Hungarian war in the Balkans (that is, against Serbia) Russia will enter upon warlike action in favour of the opponents of the monarchy.” -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assassinated in Sarajevo
He was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. The goal of the assassination was to break off Austria-Hungary's south-Slav provinces so they could be combined to make a Greater Serbia or a Yugoslavia. "the first bullet wounded the Archduke in the jugular vein, the second inflicted an abdominal wound on the Duchess." -Luigi Albertini -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
It was declared a month after the Archduke was assasignated. After war was declared, the rest of Europe involving the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entence went into war shortly after. Winston Churchill wrote to his wife at midnight, "My darling one and beautiful, everything tends towards catastrophe and collapse," -
Germany Invaded Belgium
The Treaty of London, showing Belgium's neutrality, was broken. The invasion was the first major refugee crisis of the 20th century. Henry Pownhall, Gort's chief of staff remarked, "We don't care a bugger what happens to the Belgians." -
A German U-Boat Sinks the Lusitania
The Lusitania ferried people and goods across the Atlantic Ocean between the United States and Great Britain. Of the 1,959 people on board, 1,198 died. "Torpedoes coming on the starboard side!" -Leslie Morton, 18 year old lookout -
The First Battle of the Somme Begins
This battle was one of the largest battles of the war. There were more than 1 million casualties, making it one of the bloodiest military operations ever recorded. Commander of the British forces, Douglas Haig, ordered that the objectives were "... relieving the pressure on the French at Verdun and inflicting loss on the enemy." -
The Zimmerman Note is Discovered
It was a telegram from the German Empire to Mexico that was intercepted by British agents. The telegraph was sent in anticipation to an act which Germany predicted would draw the neutral U.S. into war on the side of the Allies. Admiral Hall's handwriting at the top of the document, "This is the one handed to Dr Page and exposed by the President." -
The United States Declares War on Germany
President Woodrow Wilson had asked a special joint session of Congress for this declaration. The Zimmerman note and other acts of Russia caused the U.S. to declare war.
