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Balkan Wars
Military campaigns that took the Ottoman Empire's remaining land in Europe. During this time, Austria attacked Serbia and other Balkan States and forced them to give up their conquests. This led to high tension between Serbian nationalists and Austria-Hungary,. -
Germany Invades Belgium
In order to reach France, the German army marches through and invades Belgium. The nation had chosen neutrality in the war, so when they were invaded, Great Britain was forced to declare war on Germany. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, an Autro-Hungarian prince, was shot to death by a nationalist. The killer was a Serbian and the country was blamed for the Archduke's death. -
Kaiser Wilhelm II Agrees to Support Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary was reluctant to declare war on Serbia because it was allied with Russia. When the Kaiser of Germany promised to support the nation which allows Austria-Hungary to send Serbia an ultimatum. -
Serbian Army Mobilizes
After receiving the ultimatum, Serbia ordered their Army to mobilize and began talks with Russia about a possible war with Austria-Hungary. -
Germany Declares War
Germany, a major ally of Austria, declares war on Russia and France for supporting Serbia. -
Russians Are Defeated at Battle of Tannenberg
German forces defeat the Russian Second Army and take over 92,000 prisoners at the Battle of Tannenberg. -
Germans Stopped at the Battle of Marne
The German's advance towards Paris is halted by the French and British armies at the first Battle of Marne. A front made of trenches is created and lasts for years into the war. -
The British Form a Blockade
The British form a naval blockade of Germany to cut off military supplies. -
The Ottoman Empire enters the War
The weakening Ottoman Empire enters WWI by declaring war on the Allies and supported the Central Powers. -
Germans Begin Using Submarines
Germans begin using submarines called U-boats that would give them a heavy advantage against enemy ships during a majority of the war.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-unleash-u-boats -
Battle of Gallipoli
The Allied Forces (United Kingdom, France, Russia, & Italy) attack the weakening Ottoman Empire. After 8 months of battle, the Ottomans win and the Allies are forced to fall back. -
The Sinking of the Lusitania
A passenger ship by the name of Lusitania is attacked by a German U-boat and sunk. Over 1,000 civilians were killed, including 120 Americans. This event will later be the cause to America's (which was focusing on isolationism at the time) entry into WWI.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/lusitania -
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution begins and is the cause of the nation's exit from WWI. The Tsar is removed from power. -
Spring Offensive
Germany starts the Spring Offensive which was an almost last ditch effort to defeat the Allies. -
The United States enters WWI
The United States officially enters WWI by declaring war on Germany, a few months after intercepting a German telegram instigating Mexico into declaring war on the U.S. -
German Offensive at Flanders
Germany starts an offensive at Flanders. This would last several weeks and is only one of many battles that would take place in the area. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles finalized and signed. It issues harsh punishments against Germany, which many countries blamed for the war. The United States objected to this but was overruled by France and Britain. This marks the official end to what would be remembered as the Great War.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/treaty-of-versailles-1 -
Germany Surrenders
Germany agrees to an end to the war and the signing of an armistice. All battles halt.
