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The Mexican Revolution
The dictator Perfirio Diaz fled Mexico after a revolt sprang in 1910 which started the Mexican Revolution. A leader in the revolt, Fransisco Madero became the countries leader but was soon found useless in the field. Another leader, General Victoriano Huerta, soon overthew the unsettled government and presumeably had Madero murdered. This brutality angered U.S. President Wilson, who refused to recognize the new gevernment. This led the U.S to attempt, but fail to overthrow Huerta. -
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The Timespan of the War and Related Events
Starting with events such as the Mexican Revolution in 1910, the war was ended after the treaty of Versailles was signed by Germany in 1919. -
The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
In late June 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia visit the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. As they rode through the city, a revolutionary, Gavrilo Princip, overthrew their car and open fired killing both of them. Princip was part of a Serbian nationalist group nicknamed the "Black Hand." This was an attempt to bring down the Austro-Hungarian Empire by Serbian officials. Instead, this led to World War 1. -
The Start of World War 1
On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Germany would support Austria-Hungary if war emerged. The Serbs counted on Russia, who counted on France. France didn't want to be left alone during war with Germany, so it supported Russias efforts. The Russians immediately mobilized along the German boarder. On August 1, Germany declared war on Russia. Then on August 3, Germany declared war on France. This was the start of World War 1. -
The Zimmermann Telegram
In January 1917, a German official named Arthur Zimmermann cabled the German ambassador in Mexico, giving him instructions to propose an alliance with Germany to defeat the U.S. In return Germany would give Mexico the territory lost to the U.S. in pre1836 boarder line. Mexico rejected the preposal. Meanwhile, British intelligence intercepted the Zimmermann Telegram, as it was called. This was leaked into American newpapers. This outraged Americans and destroyed even more relations with Germany. -
German Undersea Combat
The Germans broke the Sussex Pledge with the U.S. when it resumed its unrestricted submarine warfare along the british coast. The Germans believed they could starve Britain into surrendering in four to six months by destroying every vessel on sight. This angered many Americans and created an ever increasing urge to declare war on Germany. -
Russia Leaves World War 1
Riots broke out in Russia, over the handling of the war by the Russian government. This was largely due to the lack of food, supplies, and fuel. On March 15 1917, Czar Nicholas II, the leader of the Russian Empire, abdicated the throne. The now crumbling government was led by officials untill november when Vladmir Linen overthrew the Russian government and created a Communist Government.Lenin agreed to the treaty of Brest-Litovsk, drawing out of war. -
The United States Declares war on Germany
Between Februrary 3 and March 21, German U-boats (Submarines) sank six merchant ships without warning. President Wilson, now infuriated, appeared before congress, on April 2 1917. President Wilson asked for a declaration of war upon Germany for its neglegence an oppositon to fullful the Sussex Pledge. After the debate, the Senate passed the resolution on April 4 by a vote of 82 to 6. America was at war. -
The Battle of Argonne Forest
Supreme commander of the Allied Forces, Ferdinand Foch, order a massive counter attack all along the front. This area was the Argone Forest. General Pershing assembled over 600,000 American troops, some 40,000 tons of supplies, and roughly 4,000 artillery peices. This was the biggest attack to set foot in American history. The attack began on Septembe 26, 1918. After the combat began, each German position fell to the American troops. -
The Fighting Stops
A revolution engulfed Astria-Hungary and the Ottoman Turks surrendered. The people of Berlin rose up in rebellion on November 9 and forced the German Emperor to step down. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the fighting stopped. Germany signed an armistice which ended the war. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Germany ending World War 1. In order to keep peace though, Germany had harsh punishments. Germany was required to pay $33 billion to the Allies. This was far beyond Germany's expense budget. Perhaps the worst punishment was for Germany to openly admit that it started the was and the devestation caused by it. Through the war, the Allies or "Big Four" were named and celebrated..
