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The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
The archduke of Austria-Hungary, Franz Firdinand, went to Bosnia-Herzegovina for military exercises in 1914. Austria-Hungary had taken control of Bosnia against Serbia’s wishes. Bosnia-Herzegovina believed that Serbia belonged to them because so many Bosnians lived in Serbia. Some Bosnians smuggled weapons across the border to Serbia with the help of a terrorist group called the Black Hand. On June 23, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, was shot and killed. -
Beginning of World War 1
Germans invaded Belgium because they needed a pathway before declaring war on France. Germany tried gaining access by sending a letter to the government of Belgium. The letter gave Belgium the option of giving access or declaring war. Due to neutrality, Belgium denied Germany. Belgium was used as a war zone because of their neighboring countries. This lead to Britain assisting in the protection of Belgium. -
The Christmas Truce
Although unofficial, war was put on a temporary break in the spirit of Christmas. German and British soldiers were heard singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve by Allied soldiers. Allied soldiers thought that Germans were tricking them when they saw them leaving the trenches into no-man’s-land, but joined them when they realized that the Germans were not carrying any weapons. Soldiers exchanged gifts while playing games. The Christmas Truce was one of the last notions of chivalry in warfare. -
Germans Fire
On April 22, 1915, French soldiers were challenged by 150 tons of chlorine gas by Germany in Ypres, Belgium. In 1914, tear-gas canisters were placed in shells and fired at France but the Allies were not affected. This led to Germany making the gas more lethal. One-thousand Russians were reported dead as a result of the xylyl bromide gas. The gas on the Second Battle of Ypres, through Allied soldiers off when it got down into their trenches. After this attack, countries began making gas masks. -
Lusitania Sinks
On May 7, 1915, a British steamship called the Lusitania was sunk by Germany. Germany claimed that the Lusitania was carrying weapons and they had the right to defend themselves. This lead to 1,128 people dying. 128 of them being American. The United States was no longer neutral and declared war on Germany. After it was rebuilt, it was made to look like a passenger ship, while it was really modified for war. The water around the British Isles were declared a war zone by Germany. -
Germany Limits Submarines
Germany declared that the area around the British Isles would be considered a war zone. Meaning that all the ships in the area would be at risk of attack whether they were from a neutral country or not. After the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany agreed to limit the submarine policy to prevent angered Americans. In 1916, a German U-boat killed 50 people thinking that it was carrying explosives. This lead to the signing of the Sussex Pledge, which swore to stop sinking non-military ships. -
Wilson's Addressment
President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech to Congress explaining the reason for war and the reason that the United States should join. One of the reasons being that Germany sent a telegraph to Mexico to help them if they joined the war. This made US citizens want war more. Congress agreed and declared war on Germany four days after Wilson's speech. After war was declared on Germany by the US, the Selective Service Act was made due to the lack of volunteered enlistments. -
Father’s Health Condition (Veteran)
In Minnesota, Harold W. Riley lived with his mother, father and sister, Gladys. His father had been diagnosed with diabetes when he was deciding to go to war. He struggled with the idea of leaving his family when he knew that his mother and sister would struggle with his father. He doubted that he’d see his dad again, which challenged him further. Although it was difficult for his parents accept, his parents supported him and eased his nerves slightly. -
"The Chicago" (Veteran)
After buying a ticket and getting his passport, Harold W. Riley traveled to Washington D.C. to get help from his Congressman. The boys getting on the ship were excited, even though they knew what was to come the next day. Two weeks later, the boys were good friends. French gunners would throw barrels overboard as target practice when others weren’t around. “The Chicago” was given an escort by Mosquito Boats as they got closer to France. -
First Task (Veteran)
Harold w. Riley was sent on his first task with a man named Eddie Doyle in ambulance number 16 to one of the four front posts that waited to move wounded soldiers. He struggled driving it at night due to the lack of light and random road change. They were faced with the challenge of a steep inclined that they got stuck on. German military climbed over the hill and began shooting at them. He hid in a ditch and hopped back in the car later on. -
The German Officer (Veteran)
Harold W. Riley had brought over more soldiers to the hospital and set them down while restocking the ambulance when an explosion happened. A German that Riley and Doyle had brought over released a grenade from his hand. The explosion only killed another German but left a mess in the receiving tent. Harold W. Riley was given the German’s belt but did not accept it because of his conscience. The explosion lead him believing that he understood everything about being an ambulance driver. -
Battle of Cantigny
After Germany took claim over Cantigny, France, 4,000 American soldiers captured the village. Due to the assistance of flamethrowers, America quickly took over the village and captured 100 German prisoners. The United States encountered incapacitation by German gas. By the end of the battle, there were 1,000 casualties and exhausted. This was the first major battle of World War 1. It also warned Germany of the skillfulness of the United States. -
Battle of Belleau Wood
On June 6, 1918, General James Harbord led the U.S. Marines to attack German soldiers in the Belleau Woods. There were more than 1,000 casualties on the first day of battle. Although faced with many attacks by the United States Marines and Army, the German General Erich Ludendorff refused to forfeit. German forces used machine guns, gas and artillery and still lost to the United States. By the end of the war, America had faced nearly 10,000 soldiers dead, wounded or missing in action. -
The Mission (Veteran)
On October 8, 1918, Harold W. Riley went to Boise to gather information, where they encountered four German airplanes. He escaped to the dressing station for the wounded. A German officer took him to the main building where he could have his injured leg looked at. After being held hostage, he was put on a train to Germany. Harold W. Riley and another American soldier were eventually able to escape. After a few months in a hospital, Harold W. Riley was discharged March 18th, 1919. -
Armistice Day
On November 11, 1918 at 11:00 in the morning, Germany signed an agreement to end the war with the Allied powers in Rethondes, France. The agreement is also known as The Treaty of Versailles which took 6 months to negotiate. Before World War II, November 11th was made Armistice Day in France, the United States and Great Britain. This day was announced by President Wilson and celebrated with parades and public meetings. November 11th was decided to honor all veterans of war after World War II.
