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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand was visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, when someone threw a bomb at them. Securities wanted to change their route, but Ferdinand refused because “threats happen everyday”. When they approached downtown, Ferdinand, his wife, and his daughter were all assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. -
Eastern Front - Russia VS Germany
The Eastern Front was the location where a lot of the battles took place. One of the main events includes the Bolshevik Revolution. This was where communists overthrew the Russian government. Vladimir Lenin took over as the leader and removed Russia from the war, allowing Germany to focus on the West. -
First Battle of Marne
Germany came up with a plan where they would quickly defeat France, strand the British, and then focus just on Russia. They went through Belgium to avoid the German/French border. This plan worked at first, but the French fought back better than expected. This pushed Germany back, giving Russia time to prepare. -
Wilson 2nd Election
Wilson ran against Charles Evans Hughes. The election was very close, but Wilson pulled through. He was known for his hatred of war, but when Germany sank 5 American merchant ships, he was forced to cut off the alliance with Germany and declare war. “It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war”. -
Disease Broke Out
There was an influenza outbreak from 1917-1918. Over 675,000 Americans were killed. Just about 1/2 of the deaths from the war were from the disease. -
U.S.A. entered the war
The Official Policy was that Europeans had a problem, but the United States wanted to stay neutral throughout the war and follow a policy of isolationism. The Unofficial Policy was that the United States would lean towards their allies because they would get better political and cultural ties. As a result, the US started supplying their allies with money and materials. -
USA begins fight
The British set up a blockade making it very difficult for America to supply Germany with materials. Any boats entering the area were subject to attack. The US as well as the Germans were outraged and responded with a war zone. As a result, the Sussex Pledge was brought about. The Pledge stated that Germany will not sink merchant/passenger ships without a warning. -
Espionage Act
Use treason to aid the enemy or refuse service altogether. -
Women Enter the War
Women were given up to 6% more job opportunities that are traditionally known as "male jobs". They also were able to help with wartime efforts, and helped gain support for the 19th Amendment. Women at this time were also finally allowed to serve in the military. This was important because it moved us closer to women's rights and to where we are today. -
War Revenue Act of 1917
The act placed higher taxes on wealthy people. -
Wilson's Fourteen Points
Wilson was considered to be a moral leader of the world. He decided to create fourteen points to help bring about peace. Points 1-4 discussed open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, free trade, and reduction of military. Point 5 was a system to resolve disputes over colonies. Points 6-13 talk about self determination. Lastly, point 14 was the League of Nations. It created an international organization for keeping peace. -
Sedition Act
Use treason and crime to "utter, print, write, publish...anything disloyal". The act was basically used to criticize the government or military. -
Second Battle of the Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne was a failed attack. Its goal was to draw allied troops South to watch over another attack in the area. However, an allied counterattack took the Germans by surprise on the right side, resulting in many severe casualties. -
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
The Meuse-Argonne offensive was intended to cut off the entire German 2nd Army. Germany agreed to a truce. This day is known as Armistice Day: 11th hour, 11 day, 11 month of 1918. -
War Ends
The hope from America joins the war is also what ends the war. German citizens began to riot resulting in the removal of Kaiser. All allies demanded a total surrender, causing the war to end. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was more of a punishment rather than a reconciliation. All Central Powers had to surrender colonies, and they were disarmed, given full responsibility of their actions, and were charged billions of dollars. This was a lot harsher than Wilson wanted.
