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Franz Ferdinand Assassination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated while visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia. He was next in line for the Austro-Hungarian throne. The killings set off decades old tensions in Europe and started WWI. -
The First Use of Gas as a Weapon by the Germans
The Germans first used poisoned gas against the Allied troops in April 1915. The gas could kill or seriously injure anyone who breathed it. These gases were deadly and gave the Germans a temporary advantage in the war. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A German U-boat torpedoed a British passenger liner called the Lusitania. This attack caused the Lusitania to sink. 1,198 people died and among those people, 128 were American citizens. This attack angered the American public. -
Zimmerman Note
British agents intercepted a secret telegraph from the German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman. The telegraph was supposed to be sent by German to Mexico. It offered a German alliance with Mexico in case the U.S. entered the war. The Zimmerman Note angered Americans and caused them to dislike the Germans. -
U.S. Enters World War I
On April 2, 1917 President Wilson decided that the U.S. could no longer remain neutral. He asked Congress for a declaring of war against Germany. On April 6 Congress passed a declaration of war and Wilson signed it. This is the official day that the U.S. entered World War I. -
The War Ends
On October 4, 1918 asked President Wilson for an Armistice. Wilson consented, but only under the condition that Germany had to accept his plan and for peace and promise not to renew fighting. All German troops had to leave Belgian and France. The Armistice began at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed by the Allies and Germany. In this Treaty Germany had to accept full responsibility for the conflict. It had to pay the Allies billions of dollars. Germany had to dissolve completely and give up territory to Europe. The Treaty of Versailles caused many changes in Europe. -
League of Nations
The League of Nations was Wilson’s final point of the Fourteen Points. It was created after the World War I to provide a forum for resolving international disputes. The members would preserve peace and prevent future wars. They also would respect and protect one another’s independence.
