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Archduke Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated
In 1914, tensions in the Balkan region were rising again. Serbia had emerged victorious from several local conflicts which resulted with the nation gaining additional territory and new confidence. It was more eager to take Bosnia and Herzegovina away from Austria. In response, Austria-Hungary vowed to crush any Serbian effort to undermine its authority in the Balkans.
On June 28, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, paid a state visit to Sarajevo. The royal pair was then shot. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
On July 23, Austria presented Serbia with an ultimatum (list of demands that if they arent met, will lead to serious consequences). Demands included an end to all anti-Austrian activity and Serbian leaders allowing Austrian officials conduct investigations of the assassinations. Serbian leaders agreed because they knew they would get into war if they didnt. But, Austria wanted war and didnt negotiate. On July 28, Austria rejected Serbia's offer and declared war. -
Russia, France, and Britain go to war against Germany and Austria-Hungary
By mid-August 1914, the battle lines were clearly drawn. On one side were Germany and Austria-Hungary. They were known as the central powers, because of their location in the heart of Europe. Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire would later join them.
On the other side were Great Britain, France, and Russia. They were known as the Allies. Japan and Italy later joined them. -
Combatants suffer devastating losses at battles of Verdun and the Somme
In 1916, the battles of Verdun and the Somme not only accounted for more than two million soldiers dead and wounded, but also reflected belief that the war could be won with a single overwhelming victory. -
United States enters the war
The Germans had a policy called unrestricted submarine warfare. With this policy, the Germans unwillingly sunk three American ships. After this they stopped with the policy, but then did it again. The U.S got angry. Then the British decoded a German zimmerman note from Germany that asked Mexico to join them and in return they get what they lost of the U.S. On April 2, 1917, President Wilson asked congress to declare war. The United States entered the war on the side of the Allies. -
President Wilson draws a series of proposals (Fourteen Points)
In January 18, President Wilson had drawn up a series of proposals. Known as the Fourteen Points, they outlined a plan for achieving a just and lasting peace.
The first five points included an end to secret treaties, freedom of the seas, free trade, and reduced national armies and navies. The fifth goal was the adjustment of colonial claims with fairness toward colonial peoples. The sixth through thirteenth points were specific suggestions for changing borders and creating new nations. -
Russia withdraws from the war
By March 1917, civil unrest in Russia had brought the czar's government to the brink of collapse. Czar Nicholas abdicated his throne on March 15. In his place a provisional government was established. However, by 1917, nearly 5.5 million russian soldiers had been wounded, killed, or taken prisoner. The war-weary Russian army refused to fight any longer. -
Germans had reached the Marne River
As in the opening weeks of war, the German forces crushed everything in their path. By late May 1918, the Germans had again reached the Marne River. Paris was less than 40 miles away. Victory seemed within reach. -
Allies defeat Germany at Second Battle of the Marne
In July 1918, the Allies and Germans clashed at the Second Battle of the Marne. Soon, the Central Powers began to crumble. First the Bulgarians and then the Ottoman Turks surrendered. In October, a revolution in Austria-Hungary brought that empire to an end. In Germany, soldiers mutinied, and the public turned on the Kaiser. -
Warring nations sign armistice ending the war
On November 9, 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to step down. Germany declared itslef a republic. A representative of the new German government met with Marshal Foch. In a railway car near Paris, the two signed an armistice, or an agreement to stop fighting. On November 11, World War I came to an end.
