-
Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. When Archduke Ferdinand announced his trip to Sarajevo, Bosnian nationalists (people who wanted Bosnia to be its own country) saw their opportunity to strike at the Austrian Empire. With help from the country of Serbia, assassins from a terrorist group were recruited to kill the Archduke as he traveled through the streets of Sarajevo.
This one event is widely considered the most important event in leading up to war. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
The Austrian-Hungarian Empire had the support of Germany, offering Serbia an ultimatum. Part of the demands included an Austrian led investigation into the assassinations of the archduke and his wife, and that all anti-Austrian propaganda in the country of Serbia be suppressed. Serbia accepted these demands and others, only refusing one. It refused to cooperate during the murder investigation.
The Austrian government broke all diplomatic relations with Serbia and declared war. -
German troops enter Belgium
When Germany declared war on France, the German troops had to cross Belgium and attack the French Army by the north. Belgians refused to let them through, so the Germans decided to enter by force and invaded Belgium. By doing so, they violated the Treaty of London, which is why Great Britain, entered the war. Despite their resistance and the British Army's help, the German troops soon invaded the country, which remained in their hands until the Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918. -
Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
Italy declared itself neutral in the conflict, despite its membership in the so-called Triple Alliance alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary since 1882.
The decision to join the side of the Allies was based largely on the assurances Italy received in the Treaty of London, signed in April 1915. By its terms, Italy would receive control over territory on its border with Austria-Hungary, the Italians parts of Dalmatia and numerous islands and territories all over Europe. -
United States declares war on Germany
On 6 April 1917, American president Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany. Until that day, the United States had remained neutral. The declaration of war was a response to the submarine war that Germany had been waging on its enemies since January 1917. -
Bolshevik storm the Winter Palace
The radical Bolshevik party captured Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). This marked the beginning the period of Communist rule in Russia.
The Winter Palace, the very symbol of royal power, was the last building in the capital to resist the Bolsheviks. That resistance didn’t last long though, after numerous revolts, led by Lenin, they decided to take over the Winter Palace. -
Russia signs armistice with Germany
An armistice was signed between the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) on the one side and the the Central Powerson the other. The armistice took effect two days later, on 17 December. By this agreement Russia exited World War I, although fighting would briefly resume before the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed on 3 March 1918 and Russia made peace. -
Russia signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The Treaty of Brest Litovsk was signed between the new Bolshevik government of Russia and the Central Powers (German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire), which effectively ended Russia's involvement in World War I.
The treaty was practically obsolete before the end of the year. -
Armistice
The Armistice of 11 November 1918 was the armistice that ended fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I between the Entente and their last remaining opponent, Germany. -
Treaty of Versailles signed
Germany had to assume the responsibility for the war and pay reparations.
It lost territories as Alsace-Lorraine (returned to France), Danzig Corridor (given to Poland) and its colonies which were distributed among the victors.
You are not authorized to access this page.