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Period: to
World War 1
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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. This event directly triggered the start of World War I. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia soon after. -
Austria-Hungary Issues an Ultimatum to Serbia
Austria-Hungary sent Serbia a harsh ultimatum after the assassination. Serbia's partial rejection led to Austria-Hungary declaring war. This escalated tensions among European powers. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
Germany declared war on Russia in support of Austria-Hungary. This action activated alliances on both sides. It expanded the war across Europe. -
Germany Declares War on France
Germany declared war on France to preemptively stop an attack. France was an ally of Russia. This solidified the conflict on the Western Front. -
Germany Invades Belgium
Germany invaded neutral Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan. This angered Britain, which had pledged to protect Belgian neutrality. Britain declared war on Germany the same day. -
Battle of Tannenberg
German forces defeated Russia in a decisive Eastern Front battle. This stopped Russia's advance into East Prussia. It showcased Germany's strong military strategy early in the war. -
First Battle of the Marne
German forces advanced toward Paris but were stopped by Allied troops at the Marne River. This battle marked the end of Germany's quick offensive. Trench warfare began soon after. -
Gallipoli Campaign
The Allies launched an attack to capture the Dardanelles Strait and weaken the Ottoman Empire. The campaign failed, resulting in heavy Allied losses. It became a significant victory for the Ottomans. -
Italy Joins the Allies
Italy entered the war on the side of the Allies, leaving its former alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Italy hoped to gain territory. This expanded the war to the Italian Front. -
Battle of Verdun
Germany attacked France at Verdun in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war. The French successfully defended Verdun but suffered heavy casualties. This battle symbolized French resistance. -
Battle of the Somme
The Allies launched an offensive against Germany along the Somme River. Over a million soldiers were killed or wounded. It was the first battle to use tanks in warfare. -
Zimmermann Telegram
Germany sent a secret telegram to Mexico, urging them to join the war against the U.S. in exchange for territory. The message was intercepted and made public, outraging Americans. This helped bring the U.S. into the war. -
U.S. Enters the War
The United States declared war on Germany, joining the Allies. American troops and resources gave the Allies a significant advantage. This shifted the war’s momentum. -
Armistice Signed
The fighting officially stopped when Germany signed the armistice with the Allies. This marked the end of World War I. It set the stage for peace negotiations in Paris. -
Treaty of Versailles Signed
The Treaty of Versailles formally ended World War I. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including reparations and territorial losses. This treaty aimed to prevent future wars but planted the seeds for future conflict.