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World War I Starts
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Archduke and heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia, were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The assassin was a Serbian nationalist. Serbia wanted control of Bosnia which was a part of Austria-Hungary (ally of Germany). -
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US Involvement in World War I
The Treaty of Versailles ended the war. In retrospect the terms were viewed as harsh towards Germany and planted the seeds of World War II. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
Lusitania Torpedoed by a German U-boat, the Lusitania sunk in eighteen minutes with 128 Americans killed. -
The Zimmerman Telegram
A diplomatic proposal from Germany to Mexico that if the US entered the war, Germany would propose a military alliance with Mexico. In return and with a German victory; Mexico would be able to claim Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Telegram was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence. Mexico did not accept the proposal. -
US Declaration of War
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The Battle of Cantigny
The first American offensive of World War I. Fought during the German major offensive of the Third Battle of Aisne. The battle was minor in comparison to the other actions during the Battle of Aisne. Approx 4000 US troops were involved and 1067 casualties sustained. -
The Battle of Chateau-Thierry
Ruins of Chateau-Thierry Combined forces of US and French troops launched an attack at Chateau-Thierry that pushed the Germans back across the Marne River. The battle of Chateau-Thierry was a two day fight which led to the Battle of Belleau Wood. -
Battle of Belleau Wood
Marines who survived Belleau WoodThe Battle of Belleau Wood was fought 6-26 June and lives in US Marine Corps history. The Marines attacked across an open field in the face of German machine gun fire. The Marines attacked six times before finally taking and holding the woods. The US suffered 9,777 casualties. The battle ended the last German offensive of the war. In honor of the Marines, the French renamed the woods as Bois de la Brigade de Marine. -
The Battle of Le Hamel
A small battle but critical in the development of tactics. This was the first time that the tanks and infantry fought together, use of aircraft to drop supplies and carry communication to the frontlines. The battle was fought by Australian and US troops. The integration of tanks and infantry was developed by Australian General John Monash. -
Second Battle of the Marne
US troops crossing the Marne on pontoon bridge The Second Battle of the Marne was fought 15 July to 5 August 1918. The battle represented the turning point of the war and the beginning of the German retreat to surrender. This was the first Allied victory. With over 250,000 US soldiers in the American Expeditionary Force, the US suffered nearly 30,000 casualties. -
Battle of St Mihiel
General John PershingThe Battle of St Mihiel (fought 12-13 Sep 1918) was the first independent American offensive. The offensive was led by General John Pershing. Previous to this offensive, US troops were fed in to battle by British and French leaders. Pershing argued that the US should be concentrated into one army and fight as on unit. The Germans were caught by surprise and forced back to their last line of defense; the Hindenberg Line. -
Meuse River - Argonne Forest Offensive
French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Commander Allied ForcesFerdinand Foch was the supreme Allied commander during WWI. He planned a three-pronged offensive (26 Sep to 11 Nov 1918) that broke the German Western Front. This offensive was the largest offensive by the American Expeditionary Force of the entire war.
Offensives:
Belgians, British and French through Flanders (North)
British and Empire Forces between Cambrai and St. Quentin (Center)
French and Americans along the Meuse and through the Argonne Forest (South) -
Germany asks for an armistice
The end of Germany's war making ability begins:
Oct 29: German Navy mutiny
Oct 30: Turkey makes peace
Nov 3: Austria makes peace
Nov 9: Kaiser William II steps down -
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles World War I ends. The "war to end all wars" was the defining comment of this war but in twenty years, the world would once again come to grips with another world war.
