-
Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Caption: Bosnian Assassin shooting the Archduke and his wife, Princess Sophia During these tumultuous times, the prevailing theme in thinking was nationalism which promoted your culture in being "competition" with other culture. The Archeduke was the crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian empire that did not want any of the Slavs to gain independence and in the process detroy its empire. When this tragidy occurred, Austria-Hungary called on Germany for support in fighting the Serbians. Russia . -
Sinking of the Lusitania
Postcard depicting the Lusitania, a British merchant vessel, sunk by the Germans. On July 5, 1915, the British merchant vessel, Lusitania, ventured into waters near the south coast of Ireland. It had been warned of a German submarine in the area, but its Captain decided to try and outmavuver it. That did not work. The submarine shot torpedos and sunk it in the process killing most of its passengers including 128 Americans. The incident provoked the American public to ask for retaliation. -
Battle of the Somme
This bloody battle cost the lives of thousands of British soldiers with over half of those who fought on the first day dead. The plan was to bombard the German lines for a week in order to prepare for British forces to advance and crush them. Unfortunately, the Germans were well aware of the attack. The soldiers advanced and were slaughtered. In the end, only 5 to 10 miles were gained by the Allies. -
The Resuming of Unrestricted Marine Warfare by Germany
German U-boat.
After the Lusitania, the Germans restricted U-boat warfare in response to an angry American tellegram. By 1917 however, the people of Germany as well as the German Navy were getting impatient with the stalemate and shortage of food. In January, the case for resuming marine warfare was presented to the Kasier. Despite nonunanimous approval, the Kaiser approved of the act. The next day, U-boats were legal. These took out more vessels some of which were American, pushing them to war. -
American Congress Declares War
President Woodrow Wilson addressing Congress asking them to go to war. It was the last straw. Too many Americans were being killed because of German submarines sinking civilian ships. This coupled with the pro-British sentiment in the capital was a determining factor in America going to war against Germany. On April 6, 1917, the American Congress declared war against Germany and the Triple Alliance. -
The Battle of Chateau Thierry
The picture depicts the destruction of the town of Chateau-Thierry from the conflict. Allied forces launch a deffense of Paris from the German attack force that had been steadily advancing beginning in May. In the confrontation were the American 2nd and 3rd devisions along with French armed men. The bridges of Chateau-Thierry were successfully gained and held. The second victory of the Americans in World War 1. -
Battle of Argonne Forest
The dead from the battle are being carried away. The Battle of the Argonne Forest took place near Rhiems and Verdun in an extremely hilly wooded area which impeaded the progress of the offensive. The Americans, including some African American troops under France, pushed forward slowly due to ther terrain and new troops. Before November, the Americans had gained ten miles and swept the forest of Germans, while the French had made it to the Aisne River. Together they conquered the city of Sedan M -
Asine-Marne Offensive
The 369th Infantry at attention. During the Asine-Marne Offensive from September 26 to October 5, the 369th Infantry fought alongside the French to combat German patrols. This African American infantry was known as the Harlem Hellfighters for their bravery and courage rushing into battle. CPL Henry Johnson recieved the French Croix de Guerre after he killed four Germans and wounded many more assisting in the capture of German arms. -
Armstice Between Allies and Central Europe
A parade in New Zealand celebrating the offical end of the fighting of World War I. On November 11, 1918, at eleven o'clock in the morning, the world officially stopped fighting. By this time, the loss of lives was astronomical and both armies were at a stale mate. Germany was the last to offically halt the fight. Finally, they signed the armstice. Thus, the war of the century ended its battles. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Leaders of the Allied Forces. Ironically this peace treaty brought about the end of peace and spurred the beginning of the next World War. All interested parties fought constantly during the drafting of the treaty; each wanted different elements to be added to asure that Germany would never again go to war and would be beaten down into the ground. A shaky compromise on the treaties terms came into being and Germany was "forced" into signing it.
