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Franz Ferdinand Assassination
The assassination sparked the beginning of World War I. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was next in line for throne of Austrio-Hungarian throne. He and his wife were assasinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a Serbian nationalist group. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Austria-Hungary blames Serbia on assassination of Ferdinand. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, and gives them a list of demands with Germany's support. This sparked the cause of many other countries declaring war. -
First use of poison gas as a weapon
Germany first used poison gas as a weapon during an attack. Soldiers started wearing gas masks to protect themselves.The allies had after started using this new weapon as well -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusititania, British passenger line, sank on May 7, 1915 due to the torpedo launched by a German U-Boat. 1000 men , women, and children were killed in the sinking, 128 being American. Later, weapons were found on this ship. -
Wilson reelected; pledged American Neautrality
President Wilson was reelected in 1916, defeating the republic candidate, Charles Evans Hughes. He did not support the thought of joining the war as many Americans ties came from different sides of the world. -
Bolsheviks led by Lenin overthrow government of Russia
Czar Nicolas II resigned from government. The position was replaced by a new czar who supported the war, However, he could not solve serious problems such as food shortages. Riots broke out and the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the govern. The Bolsheviks wanted to pull out of the war and set up a new Communist state. They signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany pulling Russia out of the war. -
Zimmermann Note
German Ambassador, Arthur Zimmermann, sent a telegram bound for a German Embassy in Mexico. The telegram was said for Mexico to distract America from getting involved from the war by attacking Texas. British intercept telegram and show it to President Wilson. This becomes the final straw until U.S joins the war. -
U.S. declares war
After the sinking of numerous merchant ships, the sinking of the Lusitania, and the Zimmermann Note, the U.S declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917. Wilson asked Congress to give a declaration of war on Germany, April 2, 1917. After some debate, Congress gave Wilson the declaration and Wilson signed it o April 6,1917, declaring war on Germany and joining the Allies. -
The Great War Ends
The Allies were defeating Germany to the point Germany couldn't stand any longer. Germany asked Wilson for an armistice ending the war on October 4, 1917. Wilson agreed under certain demands. Germany had to accept plans for peace, not renew fighting, all German troops had to leave Belgium and France, and WIison would only deal with nonmilitary govern leader. Germany agreed. Riots broke in Germany due to the agreement of the armistice. It began on the 11th month, 11th day, and 11th hour. -
Treaty of Versailles
Under conditions of the struggle to uphold Europe in peace, the Allies and Germany signed a treaty on June 28, 1919. This treaty declared that Germany had to accept full responsibility for the conflicts.They had to pay billions of dollars, give up some territory and overseas colonies, and disarm completely.This treaty carved up the Austrio-Hungarian and Russian Empire. It created some new nations and restored older ones. Later, border disputes caused conflicts.
