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Franz Ferdinand is Assassinated
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. He was a part of a terrorist group called the Black Hand. Their goal was to free the recently annexed Bosnia from Austrian grasp and return it to independent Serbia. -
World War I Begins
After the assassination of Ferdinand Austria-Hungary declares war Serbia. They asked their ally, the German Empire, for help, they willingly complied. -
Europe goes to War
Austria’s declaration of war on Serbia causes a chain of events to occur throughout Europe. Germany declares war on Belgium, Russia and France because they support the Serbian cause. Britain declares war Germany and Austria. Austria then declares war on Russia and Belgium. France declares war on Austria. Montenegro declares war on Austria and Germany. Japan declares war on Germany. -
First Battle of the Marne
Germany approaches France after decimating Belgium. Thirty miles from Paris, dig north of the Aisne River. This is the beginning of trench warfare, leading to a four year stalemate. -
Second Battle of Ypres
Germany and the Allied powers fight in their second battle in Ypres Belgium. This is the first battle where chemical warfare is used. The Germans use chlorine gas, killing over 5,000 French and Algerian troops. Over the course of the war gas causes 1.3 million casualties and 91,000 fatalities. -
The Lusitania is Sunken
The British ship, the Lusitania is sunken by a German U-boat off the coast of Southern Ireland. 1,200 people die, including 128 Americans. 170 tons of ammunition are also destroyed with the ship, Germany justifies their acts with this point. The 128 American fatalities sparks discussions of war in the neutral United States. Woodrow Wilson demands germany to restrict submarine warfare to solely battleships. -
The Battle of Verdun
This is known to be the largest battle of World War I. The French and Germans fight for the next ten months, leveling entire villages in the process. 700,000 French casualties occur, with over 300,000 killed. Over 10 million shells from the battle are still left in the ground to this day. -
The Russian Revolution
After a week of riots in Russia’s capital, St. Petersburg, the Czar decides to abdicate his throne. This was known as the Russian Revolution, ending the Romanov dynasty and beginning the reign of Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Lenin removes Russia from the war, officially making peace in 1918 -
The First Battle of Somme
The main purpose of the battle was to draw German attention away from Verdun. On July 1st, 20,000 British troops are killed, this marks the bloodiest day in British history. The campaign lasts another four and a half months, ending with 1,000,000 combined casualties. -
America Joins the War
America declares war on Germany, this is primarily due to Germany’s continuation of unrestricted submarine warfare and the intercepted Zimmerman Telegram. The telegram was sent to Mexico asking them to join join the war to fight America, and in return would be helped to take back Texas. -
Battle of Cambrai
The British attack the Germans at Cambrai, France. This was the first large-scale use of tanks. Initially, the tanks proved effective breaking through German defenses with ease. But after the Germans figured out how to destroy these metal beasts, a grenade through the man hole, the British were pushed back to their original positions within two weeks. -
Russia makes Peace with the Central Powers
Lenin pulls out of the war, making peace on March 3, 1918 with the treaty of Brest-Litovsk. This treaty would require Russia to secede territories of Ukraine, Poland, Finland, and the Balkans. -
The Shooting Stops
Austria-Hungary was risking a complete breakdown of order as people starved and rioted all throughout the country. The Austrian army was defeated when British, French, and Italians finally go on the offensive. Austria signs an armistice agreement on November 3rd. Germany decides to follow, as they are facing the same threats within their country, an armistice agreement is then agreed upon on November 7th. The shooting stops on November 11th, 1918, also known as Armistice Day. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Allied Powers came together to discuss the peace terms with Germany, this was done without Germany present, The treaty required Germany to pay reparations, demilitarize Rhineland, and give up 13% of its territory. It was meant as a punishment for Germany but only led to the rise of the Third Reich and eventually World War II.
