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Assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand
A group of Serbian nationalists wanting independence for the south Slavic people kills the archduke of Austria-Hungary, triggering the alliance system of Europe.
3, 7 -
The Austrian Ultimatum
Russia and Serbia had many religious and cultural similarities, pressuring Russia to mobilize their military when conflict arose after Austria send their Ultimatum to the Serbs.
1, 3 -
German newspapers recieve offers for war poems
Editorials all across Germany become flooded with about 50,000 offers daily of war poems, promoting national unity through propaganda and supporting the decision to fight in the war.
4 -
Germany declares war on Russia
Germany declares war determined to become a world power by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped to be a brief and decisive war.
1, 2, 19 -
Russia invades East Prussia
In attempt to move Germany's forces to the Eastern front, Russia occupies East Prussia, causing around 1,000,000 German citizens to flee from their homes as a result.
16 -
Germany declares war on France
Germany declares war determined to become a world power by crippling Russia and France in what it hoped to be a brief and decisive war.
1, 2, 19 -
Great Britain becomes involved
Britain had promised to defend Belgium under the treaty of London, thus dutifully declaring war on Germany when they invaded neutral Belgium. Germany's strong economy, population, and armed force also posed the greatest threat of dominating Britain.
1, 2 -
The Schleiffen Plan
Because of the unfortunate geographical location of Belgium, sharing largely unprotected borders with France, Germany was influenced to involve Belgium and, consequently, England as well.
7, 8 -
Germany invades neutral Belgium
In this surprising invasion, 5,500 innocent and neutral Belgians are killed as well as towns and buildings destroyed. The attack was unannounced.
11, 12 -
British Defense of Realm Act
This brought the government into total war by empowering it to "secure the nation" through censorship, imprisoning anyone without a trial, executing civilians, and seizing land any land deemed necessary for the war effort,
5 -
Trench warfare
Due to revolutions advancing firepower and ammunition, warfare often takes place in trenches dug by both sides, in order to protect from assaults and maintain advanced territory; mobility was sacrificed to gain protection.
6, -
Battle of the Marne on the Western front
In the battle of the Marne, after Germany pushed through Belgium, they were met by the British and French armies, where Germany dug trenches to avoid losing their territory. This commenced a long string of battles along what became known as the Western Front.
6, 7 -
Allies block German trade
Allies create a blockade halting all trade with Germany that lasts five years, causing great and lasting suffering for the German people. Due to famine and lack of materials 763,000 civilians starved to death or died of sickness.
11, 12 -
Unrestricted German submarine warfare
In desperate times of total war, Germany determines to expose France, Italy, and Britain to their similar food crisis and halt their reliant economy from receiving imported grain overseas through unrestricted submarine warfare. This affects not only their militaries but all citizens in these countries as well.
5, 6 -
First zeppelin air raid on Britain
Two German zeppelins release bombs on Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn on the East Coast of England. Due to high vulnerability of explosion with hydrogen gas these airships did not last.
6 -
Battle of Gallipoli
Allied commanders attack Turkey in an attempt to weaken its ally, Germany. While allied soldiers were sent to Gallipoli Peninsula, British ships tried to force away the Dardanelles, but they were unsuccessful in capturing the peninsula. Austrian allied troops were unable to defeat Ottoman soldiers, who had positioned themselves at the top of a hill, without being shot at the bottom.
6, 8 -
The Armenian Genocide
The Turkish government begins to expel and massacre all Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The Armenian people were a minority but had pledged to support Turkish enemies in the war. World leaders were too preoccupied with WW1 at the time, but postwar strategies were developed by western leaders that could have saved the Armenians from persecution.
12, 16 -
Italy enters the war
Despite having a former alliance with Germany, Italy's entering on the side of the Triple Entente caused to war to become a three-front war, the central powers faced now on all sides by enemies. Germany and Austria- Hungary were forced to split their armies.
7, 8 -
Sinking of the Lucitania
German U-boats torpedoed tis passenger ship, killing over 1,100 passengers, including 128 Americans. This and other acts of unrestricted submarine warfare violated the neutrality of many citizens worldwide.
7, 11, 12 -
Bulgaria mobilizes
To meet the large demands of total war, Bulgaria goes as far as to mobilize one-fourth of its population, sending out about 800,000 men.
5 -
America begins loans to the UK
President Wilson agrees to help fund war debts in the UK. Immediate results include a boom in the U.S. economy (the "roaring 20's") directly following the war, when these wartime loans to the UK began to be cashed out, from reparations from Germany. This system failed when Germany was unable to pay due to hyperinflation, weakening both United Kingdom and American economies.
17 -
British porpaganda and films
The first notable British film using military footage to promote ideas of Britain's strength and determination in war was distributed worldwide.
4 -
Germany accepts the "Sussex Pledge"
U.S. President Woodrow threatens to sever diplomatic relations with Germany unless they refrain from attacking passenger ships, and allow crew members of enemy merchant vessels to abandon ship prior to attacking.
2 -
American propaganda: Uncle Sam
The first publishing of the Uncle Sam poster occurred in an issue of Leslie's Weeklly with the title "What are you doing for preparedness?" and sparked patriotism and nationalistic duty prior to the entrance to the war.
4 -
Romania's Entrance
Because Romania had been at odds with Austria-Hungary over territory, it had noted Russia's success over Austria and and joins the allies declaring war against Austria-Hungary, hoping to reach territorial expansion and national unity.
1, 2, 3 -
German Auxiliary Service Law
In order to meet the demands of total war, this allowed the government to employ and relocate any and all adult males needed in order to meet military labor needs, especially in production of weapons/munitions.
5, 12 -
Russian revolution and mutiny erupts
In Petrograd, Russian civilians erupt from a mass protest into revolution regarding Czar Nicholas II and the war, bringing about mutiny among Russian soldiers who join the revolution.
9 -
End of the Romanov Dynasty
The 300 year old Romanov Dynasty is replaced a democratically geared Provisional government. The allied nations rush to recognize this change hoping Russia will continue in the war and maintain its presence on the Eastern Front. -
American political cartoon against Germany published
The first publishing of this anonymous political cartoon featuring President Woodrow was in direct response to the German U-boat attacks at sea, putting citizens at discontent and building negativity towards Germany prior towards their declaration of war.
4 -
United States becomes involved
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson requests a declaration of war against Germany, reasons being Germany's violation of their promise to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare, and its attempts to entice Mexico into an alliance countering the U.S.
1, 2, 7 -
Selective Service Act
Entering late in the war, the United Stated rushes to meet the demands of total war by posing a draft requiring all men between 21 and 30 to register for the military, later changed to ages 18 to 45. By the closing of WW1 in 1918, around 24 million men had registered under this act.
5, 11 -
Russia remains in the war
The new provisional government of Russia announces that it will stay in the war. A large offensive is planned along the Eastern Front, but some soldiers are now refusing to follow the provisional government to war orders to due Bolshevik standards under Lenin.
3, 9 -
Third Battle of Ypres
In hopes of advancing against Germany, the offensive British troops were conflicted by dreadful weather. Abnormally heavy rainfall and mud hindered the advancement of men and materials, not only halting a rapid British breakthrough but unleashing a battle of attrition for the troops.
8 -
Dazzle painting
A new concept invented by painter and British marine Norman Wilkinson uses stripes and crazy line patterns to confuse enemies about the true dimensions of ships, combining the two fields of art and war.
20 -
Lenin takes control over Russia
The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrow the Provisional government. A non- democratic Soviet Union is established based on Marxist principals, and all involvement in the war, as well as existing treaties with the allies, are ended and renounced.
9, 19 -
Romania drops out of the war
With the demise of her former ally Imperial Russia, Romania finalizes an armistice with the Central Powers.
9 -
Russia's exit in the war frees the Eastern Front
Soviet Russia signs an armistice with Germany. Without Russia to worry about on the Eastern Front, 44 German divisions are redeployed to the Western Front, aiding Ludendorff's spring offensive.
9 -
Wilson's Fourteen Points
Woodrow Wilson offers a speech to congress he called the Fourteen Points, intended to reach peace and ensure WW1 was the "war to end all wars." Points include free trade, disarmament, independence for various nations, and a League of Nations.
10 -
The Treaty of Brestlitovsk
After signing this treaty ending four years of aggression with Germany, Russia is near complete collapse with catastrophic losses and devastating economic state due to soaring war debts and inflation. New nations of Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are established from Russian land.
3, 18 -
U.S. Sedition Act
The Sedition Act makes it illegal to use any disrespectful, profane, or abusive language referring to the United States flag, government, or military. This unleashes a surge of surveillance and nationalism, and disregard for those who are insufficiently loyal.
4 -
Battle of Belleau Wood
In response to the German spring offensive, this Allied drive aims east, away from Paris. Open wheat fields and meadows, as well as densely packed trees make any advance nearly impossible, but through bold hand-to-hand fighting an skillful strategies utilizing the landscape, American troops bring about a huge moral booster to the allied forces.
8,10 -
Second Battle of the Marne
With only 50 miles remaining between Paris and the German army, fresh American troops aid France and Britain in drawing back the German line. This announced the U.S. as a military power, and began a counter offense that would come to win the war.
7, 10 -
the Meuse- Argonne Offensive
One of America's greatest battles in the war, they intend to take over the railroad hub in Sedan and break the rail net that supports the German army in France, thus forcing the enemies to fall back from their occupied territories.
10 -
Breaking of the Hindenburg lines
A four day battle with high losses on each side, the breaching of this final German defense on the Western Front means an enduring and decisive victory at for the Allied Nations at Amiens, France. As the Allies pressed their advantage further, this turned out to be the final month of WW1.
7 -
Austria-Hungary leaves the war
Austria-Hungary signs an armistice with Italy, leaving them with a loss of 1.2 million soldiers, and another 5.82 million wounded, missing, or a prisoner of war.
11 -
Germany signs an armistice
Germany ends the Great War on this day with a total of 1,773,000 soldiers dead, and 5,368,858 wounded or missing.
11 -
France leaves the Great War
France and Germany arrange an armistice, leaving France with 1,375,800 dead, 4,206,000 wounded, and 537,000 missing soldiers from the war.
11 -
U.S. presents the League of Nations
Created in the Paris Peace Conference and beginning operations almost 1 year later, Woodrow Wilson presents the League of Nations to disarm the nations, negotiate disputes between countries, improve global welfare, and use collective security to prevent future war.
10 -
Paris Peace conference
Britain's intentions for peace include the security of France and removal of Germany as a threat, but differ in that they want Germany punished only to an extent so that they could recover in strength and economics.
13 -
Paris Peace Conference
Besides being involved in the treaty, Italy is interested in gaining territory as promised to them by the Allies in the secret treaty of London. However, the land obtained (South Tyrol) contained over 250,000 Austrians and Germans, disrupting the population movement.
13 -
Paris Peace Conference
Austria- Hungary wantes reparations for war, along with the unification and continuation of their empire.
13 -
Paris Peace Conference
Japan makes two demands, those being a proposal for racial equality involved in the treaty, and the claiming of territory of former German colonies Shatungand and various pacific Islands.
14 -
Paris Peace Conference
The Unites States has many ideas in attaining peace. First, they intend to end secret treaties by forming a League of Nations. Also desired was the independence of various nations, including Belgium, Poland, Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro. The overall goal was to eliminate the causes of war an prevent such future catastrophes.
13 -
Paris Peace conference
France is very concerned with Germany when regarding peace, demanding reparations, control of Alsace and Lorraine, and overall a weak, devastated, and unarmed Germany.
13 -
The Menin Road
This commemorative battle painting by Paul Nash introduces nationalistic ideals like sacrifice and heroism into a new age of art.
20 -
Treaty of Versailles
A new League of Nations formed, which was supposed to end the issue of secret treaties, but Germany was not allowed to join until 1926.
14 -
Treaty of Versailles
German boundaries are heavily modified, giving varying provinces to Belgium, France, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, and others, but not all land is welcomed, as nationality of the received land often did nit agree with that of the homeland.
14, 18 -
Treaty of Versailles
The Balkans receive Yugoslavia, a Slavic state dominated by Serbia, but not everyone there is Serbian, bringing about nationalistic tension and bloody wars to follow.
16, 18 -
Treaty of Versailles
France recieves German coal mines in the Saar Basin territory along with reparations from Germany, resulting in the growth of France's economy while Germany's is left desperately poor and weak.
17 -
Treaty of Versailles
In order to prevent future wars and massacres from Germany, Germany's armed forces are stripped down immensely, leaving them with only 6 ships, 100,000 troops, no tanks, and no submarines.
14 -
Treaty of Versailles
Germany's responsibility to pay reparations is established, leaving Germany with a 30 billion dollar debt for the losses and damages of the Allies, crippling their economy and introducing the Germans to the Great Depression.
14, 17, 19 -
Treaty of Versailles
Although Austria-Hungary wanted a unified empire, the land is broken up to form the individual nations of Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia leaving a divided and dismantled empire which had lost 3/4 of its territory and 2/3 of its people. Landlocked with no port access, the economies are left devastated.
14, 16, 17, 18 -
Treaty of Versailles
Poland is reestablished in the East. Although the desired independence of Poland is granted in the post-war treaty, many Russians are unhappy because it is Russian land granted.
16, 18 -
Treaty of Versailles
Germany is paid little, halting their trade with Britain for the time being, directly weakening Britain's economy. The British economy is slow to recover.
17 -
U.S. rejects the League of Nations
Isolationism is an important concept to American government, in which foreign affairs were relatively avoided. The League of Nations calls for collective security, but the U.S. at this time does not want to connected to other country's affairs.
15 -
U.S. rejects the League of Nations
The Republican-dominated Senate is concerned that being a part of the League will commit the U.S. to expensive organizations reducing its ability to defend its own interests.
15 -
U.S. rejects the League of Nations
President Wilson's personal battle with senator Henry Lodge (Senate majority leader) poison any hopes for a compromise when he was outnumbered by the Republican Senate in the vote regarding the League of Nations.
15 -
U.S. rejects the League of Nations
Woodrow Wilson stresses the need for a lasting peace from the League more than anything else, but without his ideology in place, the League is unable to stick to this purpose in times of critical negotiation, resulting in the crumbling of a supposed uniting of the nations.
15 -
U.S. rejects the League of Nations
Without the U.S. involved in the League, there is no American support encouraging France and Britain to more fully co-operate a counterattack regarding the rise of the Nazi party.
15, 19
