-
war world 1 begins
World War I begins in Europe. The United States remains neutral and President Woodrow Wilson declares that the country will not get involved in the conflict -
Great Britain declares war on Germany
The declaration is binding on all Dominions within the British Empire including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. August 4, 1914 - The United States declares its neutrality. -
The sinking of the Lusitania
a British passenger ship, by a German submarine results in the deaths of 128 American citizens. Public sentiment in the United States begins to shift towards entering the war. -
he kept us out of war
President Wilson re-elected with campaign slogan "he kept us out of war." -
The Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram, in which Germany attempted to incite Mexico to declare war on the United States, is intercepted and made public. President Wilson delivers a speech to Congress asking for a declaration of war against Germany. Congress approves and the United States enters World War I on April 6. -
Congress passed the Declaration of War.
Congress passed the Declaration of War. Not unlike the War of 1812, the U.S. went into war to protect shipping and the freedeom of trade while in international waters. Since the beginning of that year, 19 U.S. merchant vessels were sunk by German U-boats. -
The first American troops land in France.
the first 14,000 American soldiers began arriving at the port of St Nazaire in France. Their arrival had been kept a secret to further guard against German intervention, but it did not take long for the local French population to begin cheering them through the streets. -
The United States sends 2 million troops to Europe
The United States sends 2 million troops to Europe, turning the tide of the war in favor of the Allies. The German army is pushed back and the war ends on November 11 with the signing of the Armistice of Compiegne -
Armistice on the Western Front
Armistice on the Western Front. On Nov. 11, 1918, after more than four years of horrific fighting and the loss of millions of lives, the guns on the Western Front fell silent. Although fighting continued elsewhere, the armistice between Germany and the Allies was the first step to ending World War I. -
, officially ending World War 1
The Treaty of Versailles is signed, officially ending World War I. The United States plays a major role in the negotiations, with President Wilson pushing for the formation of the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at preventing future conflicts. The United States Senate, however, ultimately rejects the treaty and the country does not join the League of Nations.