-
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated
Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie are shot to death by the Bosnian Serb nationalist group called the Black Hand, but specifically by Gavrilo Princip, during a visit to the capital of Bosnia, Sarajevo. The political objective was to break off Austria-Hungary's South Slav provinces so they could be combined into Yugoslavia. This is considered the direct cause that set off the war. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
One month after the assassination, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. When Serbia, backed by Russia, which had an alliance with France, refused to accede to Austria-Hungary’s demands, backed by Germany, to suppress its nationalist movement, Austria-Hungary declared war. -
Ottoman Empire declares war on the Allies
The Ottoman Empire came into World War I as one of the Central Powers. The Ottoman Empire entered the war by carrying out a surprise attack on Russia's Black Sea coast. Ottoman forces fought the Entente in the Balkans and the Middle Eastern theatre of WWI. The Ottoman Empire's defeat in the war in 1918 was important in the eventual dissolution of the empire -
Battle of Verdun begins between France and Germany
Battle that began with massive artillery bombardment and a steady advance by troops of German Fifth Army under Crown Prince Wilhelm. Five days into battle, German forces captured Fort Douaumont, the largest and highest of the 19 forts protecting Verdun. The battle stopped on 15 December, as winter conditions and results of fighting on the Somme made further activity impossible. French had lost 377,000 men and the Germans 330,000. Falkenhayn's plan to destroy the French army had failed. -
The Battle of Jutland, is fought between Britain and Germany in the North Sea
It was the only major encounter between the main British and German battle fleets in World War I. It was fought in the North Sea, about 60 miles off the west coast of Jutland. Began with gunfire between the German and British scouting forces. Both sides claimed victory in this indecisive battle, though Britain retained control of the North Sea. -
Battle of Somme begins
Taking place from July 1 to November 18, 1916, British forces suffered more than 57,000 casualties, including more than 19,000 soldiers killed, on the first day. It was the most disastrous day in the Britain's military history. More than 3 million soldiers on both sides had fought in the battle, and more than 1 million had been killed or wounded. This is the first war that tanks were used. -
United States enters the war, declaring war on Germany
U.S. ships traveling to Britain were damaged and sunk by German mines. British-owned Lusitania was torpedoed just off coast of Ireland. German gov. claimed Lusitania was carrying munitions, but U.S. demanded reparations and an end to German attacks on unarmed merchant ships. U.S. broke diplomatic relations with Germany. The American liner Housatonic was sunk by German U-boat. Germany sunk 4 more U.S. merchant ships. Pres. Wilson appeared in Congress to declare war against Germany. -
Russians agree to peace with the Central Powers and leave the war after Bolsheviks overthrow Russian government
After the Bolsheviks accession to power in Russia, the Bolsheviks approached the Central Powers to arrange an armistice and withdraw from the war. -
President Woodrow Wilson issues his "Fourteen Points" for peace and an end to the war
President Woodrow Wilson itemized 14 strategies to ensure national security and world peace. Several points addressed specific territorial issues in Europe, but most significantly, they were sections that set the tone for postwar American diplomacy. -
Treaty of Versailles is signed by Germany and WWI ends
The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles in Paris. It codified terms of peace between the victorious Allies and Germany. It held Germany responsible for starting the war and imposed harsh penalties in terms of loss of territory, massive reparation payments and demilitarization.