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Period: to
WWI
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Germany declared war on Russia
Four days after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Germany and Russia declare war against each other, France orders a general mobilization, and the first German army units cross into Luxembourg in preparation for the German invasion of France. During the next three days, Russia, France, Belgium, and Great Britain all lined up against Austria-Hungary and Germany, and the German army invaded Belgium. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-world-war-erupts -
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral.
On 19 August 1914 U.S. President Woodrow Wilson addressed Congress and made public the U.S. policy of neutrality. During his address he warned U.S. citizens against taking sides in the war for fear of endangering the wider U.S. policy. http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/usneutrality.htm -
The Second Battle of Ypres begins
It is during this battle that the Germans first use poison gas. Although the attack opened up an 8,000-yard gap in the Allied line, as French and Algerian troops broke and ran, the Germans failed to exploit the success because their own infantry balked at attacking in an area that had just been gassed. http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/04/dayintech_0422 -
Tsar Nicholas II takes personal control over Russia's armies.
Russian Czar Nicholas II takes personal command of the Russian Army, hoping to rally his faltering troops. www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/firstworldwar/index-1915.html -
The Battle of Verdun begins.
A shot from a German Krupp 38-centimeter long-barreled gun—one of over 1,200 such weapons set to bombard French forces along a 20-kilometer front stretching across the Meuse River—strikes a cathedral in Verdun, France, beginning the Battle of Verdun, which would stretch on for 10 months and become the longest conflict of World War I. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-verdun-begins -
The Battle of the Somme begins
During the Battle of the Somme, tanks are first introduced into battle. The final tally included 420,000 British casualties, 200,000 French and the Germans 500,000. The reward for this effort was the six-mile movement of the British front line into German territory. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/somme.htm -
Germany sends the secret Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in an effort to entice Mexico to join the war.
This message helped draw the United States into the war and thus changed the course of history. The telegram had such an impact on American opinion that, according to David Kahn, author of The Codebreakers, "No other single cryptanalysis has had such enormous consequences." http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/zimmermann.htm -
The United States declares war on Germany
Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan resigned over the Administration's failure to remain neutral. However, a series of incidents, including the loss of 128 American lives when German submarines sank the Lusitania on May 7, 1915, changed public opinion. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr06.html -
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Russia and Central Powers marking Russia's exit from World War I.
To keep peace with the Central power, Russia was "gave up Poland and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to Germany and Austria-Hungary; and ceded Kars, Ardahan and Batum to Turkey. The total losses constituted 1 million square miles of Russia's former territory; a third of its population or 55 million people; a majority of its coal, oil and iron stores; and much of its industry." http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/treaty-of-brest-litovsk-concluded -
Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France
The Germany was sign the armistice because they don't have any position to countinue the war. http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/nov-11-1918-world-war-i-ends/
