World war 1 timeline

  • Arch Duke Ferdinand is Assassinated

    Arch Duke Ferdinand is Assassinated
    Arch Duke Ferdinand is Assassinated while visiting Serbia. He was assassinated by a secret organization called the black hand, who fought for serbian independence. They thought that Austria-Hungary was too bearing over Serbia.
  • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

    Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
    This was the first of the many dominos that was World War 1. This was exactly one month after the assassination of the Arch Duke, and was saw as retribution to the assassination.
  • Invasions Begin

    Invasions Begin
    After almost all the European countries declared war on each other, Germany invaded Luxembourg and Belgium. France invades Alsace, and the british forces arrive in France to help.
  • The First Battle of Marne Starts.

    The First Battle of Marne Starts.
    The germans got within 30 miles of Paris, but with the help of 6,00 infantry men they are able to push back. The Germans dig in the north of the Aisne River, and this is how the trench warfare that was a staple on the western front beggins.
  • The Battle of Verdun Begins.

    The Battle of Verdun Begins.
    The battle of Verdun begins, and over the next 10 months the French and Germans fight at Verdun. This battle ended with over 700,000 casualties, including roughly 300,000 killed.
  • British and German Fleets meet.

    British and German Fleets meet.
    The German and British fleets meet 60 miles off the coast of Jutland, Denmark. This is significant event because the German and British naval arms race was one of the causes of WW1.
  • The United States enters the War

    The United States enters the War
    With the sinking of the Lusitania by a German U- boat, and the Zimmerman Note sent to Mexico by Germany; The United States entered the War. Woodrow Wilson told congress that this war would "make the world safe for democracy".
  • The Battle of Cambrai

    The Battle of Cambrai
    The british offensive at Cambrai was the first large scale offensive that used tanks in battle. This only helped the british to a minimum because within 2 weeks, the british had been pushed back to their starting position.
  • Russia leaves the War.

    Russia leaves the War.
    With the Russian Revolution, led by V.I Lenin, brewing back home; Russia decides to leave the war. The Treat of Brest-Litovsk was the treaty that officially took them out of the war, giving Germany the Baltic States.
  • World War finally comes to an end.

    World War finally comes to an end.
    Germany and the Allies come to an armistice, that is largely based on President Woodrow Wilson's 14 points. The threat of revolution in Germany's industrial centers was also large factor into why they wanted peace.