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Austro-Hungarian Archduke is Assassinated
Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, visited the capital of Sarajevo. While he and his wife drove through the city, a Bosnian civilian shot them both. The assassinator, Gavrilo Princip, was a member of a Serbian nationalist group often called the “Black Hand.” Serbian officials were aware that the assassination would take place. They hoped that it would start a war to destroy the Austro-Hungarian Empire. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
The Austro-Hungarians believed that Serbia was responsible for the attack. They decided that to keep the the Serbians from destroying their empire, they must take them down first. Before declaring war, they asked Germany for support in case Russia got involved on the Serbian side. Germany promised to support Austria-Hungary if war occurred. So, on July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Two days later, it declared war on France. -
Britain Declared War on Germany
Germany, who had been prepared to fight Russia and France, immediately launched an invasion in France. The problem with their plan to knock out France first and then Russia was they would have to go through Belgium in order to get to France. The British were very protective of Belgium. So, when Germany entered Belgian territory, Britain declared War on Germany. Great Britain, Russia, and France were now the main countries of the Allies. -
Founding of Women’s Peace Party
The United States stayed neutral for roughly the first two years of the war. Much debate was erupting about whether or not the United States should prepare for war. Supporters of “preparedness” said that if America happened to get involved in the war, it was better to be prepared. Other Americans disagreed. In 1915, leaders of the woman suffrage movement founded the Women’s Peace Party. This group worked to keep America out of war by persuading the president to not build up the military. -
Lusitania is Sunk
Germany announced that they would sink any ship that enters the waters around Britain. When the British ship, Lusitania, entered the area, a German submarine sunk the ship. This attack killed about 1,200 passengers, 128 were Americans. The American civilians believed that this was a terrorist attack. -
Wilson is Reelected
In the election of 1916, Woodrow Wilson campaigned as the “peace” candidate. His efforts to keep American soldiers home were an important piece of his campaign. His slogan was, “He kept us out of the war.” This slogan won him a very close victory over Charles Evans Hughes. -
America Declares War on Germany
A telegram was sent by a German official to the German ambassador in Mexico was intercepted by Great Britain. The offer stated that if Mexico agreed to help Germany fight America in the war, Germany would allow Mexico to regain lost territory. It was leaked in American media shortly after. Then, Germany began unrestricted submarine warfare. Germany sunk six American ships. Woodrow Wilson declared, “the world must be made safe for democracy,” and then asked Congress to declare war on Germany. -
Alvin York Was Drafted into War.
Fighting was originally against Alvin’s religion. However, after many months of controversy, he decided to do what he thought was right. He joined the 82nd division as an infantry private. He was sent to France in 1918. Link text -
Germany Launches Last Attack
On March 21, 1918, the Germans attacked the Western Front. They used gas and lots of artillery bombardment. The Germans pushed deep into the Allied lines. The Americans launched their first attack, holding back the Germans a little longer. Finally, on July 15, 1918, launched one last attack, but the French and Americans held steady. -
Germany Begins to Retreat
With the Germans held up, the supreme commander of the Allied forces ordered attacks against them. Americans began to drive back the German troops at the battle of Saint-Mihiel. Next, over 600,00 American troops, 40,000 tons of supplies, and roughly 4,000 artillery pieces were used in the most massive offensive in American history. The Germans had suffered several casualties, and the defense was eventually shattered. Soon after, the Germans began to retreat. -
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
After capturing German troops, Alvin York and several other American soldiers were ambushed. About half of the 17 Americans were shot and killed almost instantly. York, however, was able to knock down several Germans and escaped uninjured. -
York Forced Germans to Surrender
When attacked by 6 Germans all armed with bayonets, he shot them all. He then forced the remaining Germans to surrender. On his way back to American lines he captured even more German prisoners. -
World War I Ends
In October 1918, Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia declared Independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. By early November, Austro-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire had surrendered to the Allies. Eventually, the Germans dropped out of the war, and became a republic. They soon after signed an agreement to stop fighting. So, on November 11, 1918, the fighting ended. -
Alvin York Receives Medal of Honor
Alvin York became the most decorated veteran of World War I. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts in the Great War. His attributes to the War include capturing 132 German soldiers. He also killed nearly 20 German soldiers. Link text -
York Returns Home
After the war, York returned home to Tennessee. He didn’t get big headed with his fame. Instead, he took up farming as his occupation and laid low in his small town. He later worked to introduce schools to his community.
