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Austria-Hungary and Serbia
Austria-Hungary makes demands on Serbia for retribution. Serbia does not meet demands. -
War between Serbia and Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. Russia begins mobilizing its troops. -
War between Russia and Germany
Germany declares war on Russia. -
War between Germany and France
Germany declares war on France as part of the Schlieffen Plan. -
Britain and Germany go to war
Germany invades Belgium. Britain declares war on Germany. -
Use of submarines
The Germans begin to use submarines against Allied merchant ships around the island of Britain. -
The Allies attack the Ottoman Empire
The Allies attack the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Gallipoli. This campaign will last over eight months and will end as a victory for the Ottomans and the retreat of the Allies. -
The Lusitania is sunk
The Lusitania, a luxury British passenger ship, is sunk by a German submarine. 1,195 civilians were killed. This act sparks international outrage and contributes to the United States joining the war against Germany. -
Bulgaria and Serbia go to war
Bulgaria enters the war by declaring war on Serbia. -
The battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun begins between France and Germany. This battle will last until December of 1916 and will finally result in a French victory. -
The battle of Jutland
The largest naval battle of the war, the Battle of Jutland, is fought between Britain and Germany in the North Sea. -
The battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme begins. Over 1 million soldiers will be wounded or killed.