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Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assassinated
Hungaro-Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are shot by Gavrilo Princip while visiting Serbia. The war that would follow would change warfare forever. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
Austria-Hungary blames Serbia for the death of the archduke and, with support from Germany, gives Serbia a list of demands, which Serbia refuses. Austria-Hungary then declares war on Serbia. -
Germany Declares War
Germany Declares war on Russia on August 1st and on France on August 3rd. Germany then invades Belgium, angering Britain. -
Britain Joins The Effort
After Germany invades Belgium, Britain, holding up a promise to protect Belgium, declares war on Germany. -
The Battle of the Marne
After being held up by Belgians for three weeks, German troops march into France, only to be stopped by British and French troops. The battle made it clear that the war would not be won easily. -
Germans Introduce Gas
In April, 1915, German troops use poison gas for the first time, which could seriously injure or kill anyone who breathed it. -
Allies Bring in Tanks
The Allies fight with tanks for the first time in January of 1916, changing how battles were fought. -
The Battle of Verdun
Germany lauches an attack in northeastern France in February, which turns out to be one of the longest and bloodiest battles, not ending until December and leaving a total of 714,231 dead, and many more wounded. -
America Becomes an Ally
Despite promising to stay neutral throughout the war, President Woodrow Wilson said that the Central Powers were threatening their democracy, and started rallying the people. In April, 1917, he asked congress for a declaration of war against Germany. Congressed passed the declaration, and Wilson signed it on April 6. -
Russia Quits the War
After the Russian government gets overthrown for a second time during the war, new Russian leader Vladimir Lenin signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending the fighting with Germany and pulling out of the war. -
America Silences Oppositioners
The American government passed the Sabotage Act in May of 1918 to punish any who damaged or destroyed war supplies, transport, or property and the Sedition Act in May of 1918 to make it illegal to speak against or criticize the government in any way. Many thought the Sedition Act went against the first amendment, but many others said that no measure was too drastic during wartime, and the law was upheld by the Supreme Court. -
The War Ends
At 11 o'clock on Novemer 11, Germany with drew all it forces from west of the Rhine River, as according to President Wilson's armistice's terms. The Great War was finally over. -
Peace at Last
Leaders from the 27 nations gathered together in Paris, France, in January 1919 to discuss peace after the war. Many looked to American President Woodrow Wilson for a better world. But even with his help, there would still be many challenges that lay ahead.
