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Wilhelm II bcomes leader of Germany
After his father's untimely death, 29 year-old Wilhelm II becomes ruler, Kaiser Wilhelm II, of Germany. -
Period: to
World War 1
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Nicholas is crowned Tsar of Russia
Nicolas is crowned Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, a position he did not want. He does not try and create a peace treaty with Germany and the relationship between the two countries continues to get worse. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated
http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/ferdinand.htmThe heir to the throne of the Austrio-Hungarian and his wife were shot and killed. This is the event that sparked the war. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. -
Germany declares war on Russia
After Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia began to mobilize its troops becuase Russia was an ally of Serbia. With that, Germany began to mobilize troops and decided to declare war with Russia -
Germany declares war on Neutral Belguim
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_mommsen_01_advance.html
Germany did this so they could carry out their plan of a quick invasion of France and a rush to Paris. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
Backing up Germany, Austria Hungary declares war on Russia -
France looses 27,000 soilders
The Battle of the Frontiers was a failed French offensive thrust towards German borders. -
German Army achieves greatest victory
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_figes_03_tannenberg.htmlBattle of Tennenburg -
First Battle of the Marne
France stops German invasion -
Trench Warfare begins
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_fussell_03_trenches.htmlThe majority of the battles of World War 1 were fought using trench warfare. -
Germany declares war on France
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WW1 becomes total war
With German Zeppelin air raid and submarine blockade of Great Britain. The blockade made any ship leaving or approaching Great Britain a target. -
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German U-Boat sinks Lusitania
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_winter_12_lusitania.htmlGerman U-Boat attacks and sinks Lusitania, a civilian boat. Killing 1,198 civilians and 128 Americans. -
Battle of Verdun
Longest battle of the war, one million dead -
The Battle of the Somme
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_keegan_04_shells.html One million deaths, no gain for allies, and British introduce tank -
Woodrow Wilson reelected in US
Wilson is reelected for keeping the US out of the war -
Wilson ask Congress to declare war on Germany
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Chemin des Dames
Failed French offensive that only gained them 500 yards and cost them 250,000 men. -
First American soilders land in France
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Bolsheviks take over Russia
Led by Lenin, Bolsheviks overthrow the Russian government, -
Russia signs armistice with Germany
New Russian government decides to end the war in Russia -
Wilson declares his 14 points
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/wilson/portrait/wp_war.htmlHe does this in an effort to create world peace. -
Germans try to five major offensives
With the United States joining the war, Germany tried to make one final push to Paris by luanching five different offensives. They were eventually stopped in late June. -
Germany stopped by US
Germans close to Paris are stopped and drove back by American forces at Chateau-Thierry. Many call it a turning point in the war. -
Germany Retreats
Allied counter offensives at the Somme put Germany into a retreat. -
End of the War
At eleven o'clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the war ends as Germany and Allies sign an Armistice. -
Treaty of Versailles
Peace Treaty Signed by Germany Delegates and Allies
