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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
This was the major event that sparked the war. -
Austria Declares war on Serbia
Although Russia was allied with Serbia, Germany did not believe that she would mobilise and offered to support Austria if necessary. -
Germany declares war on Russia
Germany declares war on Russia -
Germany declares war on France
Germany declared war on France. German troops poured into Belgium as directed under the Schleiffen Plan, drawn up in 1905. The British foreign secretary, Sir Edward Grey, sent an ultimatum to Germany demanding their withdrawal from the neutral Belgium. -
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Battle of Tannenberg
Heavy defeat for the Russians with thousands of men killed and 125,000 taken prisoner. Although the Germans won the battle, 13,000 men were killed. -
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Second Battle of Ypres
Poison gas was used for the first time during this battle. The gas, fired by the Germans claimed many British casualties. -
Romania joins the war
Romania joined the war on the side of the Allies. But within a few months was occupied by Germans and Austrians. -
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Battle of Verdun
Although the fighting continued for nine months, the battle was inconclusive. Casualties were enormous on both sides with the Germans losing 430,000 men and the French 540,000. -
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Battle of the Somme
The five month long battle saw the deaths of 420,000 British soldiers (60,000 on the first day), 200,000 French soldiers and 500,000 German soldiers all for a total land gain of just 25 miles -
First Aeroplane raid
The first German air raid on London took place. The Germans hoped that by making raids on London and the South East, the British Air Force would be forced into protecting the home front rather than attacking the German air force. -
USA declares war on Germany
The United States of America declared war on Germany in response to the sinking, by German U boats, of US ships. -
Armistice signed
At 11 am, in the French town of Redonthes, the Armistice was signed bringing the war to an end.