World War I

Franz Ferdinand Assassination

Jun 28, 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated while visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia. He was next in line for the Austro-Hungarian throne. The killing set off decades old tensions in Europe and started WWI.

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination. with Germany's support, it gave Serbia a list of demands, which Serbia refused. Which the led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia

First use of gas as a weapon by the germans

1915

April 1915 - the Germans first used poison gas against Allied troops. the gas could kill or seriously injure anyone who breathed it.

Sinking of the Lusitainia

May 7, 1915

A German U-boat sank a British passenger line called the Lusitainia. More than 1,000 people died 128 were Americans. The captain reported that he saw a torpedo speeding toward them and that he tried to change the course of the ship. But was unable to maneuver out of the way. there was a terrible impact as the torpedo struck the starboard side of the vessel. In seconds another torpedo followed.

Wilson reelected; pledged American neutrality

May 7, 1915

Wilson said that the U.S should be neutral in the war in Europe. most Americans supported this view, and the country eventually entered World War I.

Zimmermann note

1917

April, 1917 - British agents intercepted a secret telegram called the Zimmermann Note, the telegram was sent by the German foreign minister, Arthur Zimmermann. the telegram was bound for Mexico. it offered a German alliance with Mexico against the U.S. in the event the Americans entered the war. The Zimmermann Note angered Americans and set off a new wave of ant-German feeling in the U.S.

U.S. declares war

Apr 6, 1917

Wilson decided that the U.S could no longer remain neutral. April 2,1917, he asked congress for a declaration of war against Germany.

Bolsheviks led by Lenin overthrow Russian government

Nov 7, 1917

riots broke out over the Russian government's handling of the war and the scarcity of food and fuel. A group called Bolsheviks overthrew this government. Led by Bolsheviks wanted to pull out of the war so they could focus on setting up a new Communist sate.

war ends

Nov 11, 1918

The armistice began on November 11,1918 under its terms, Germany agreed to withdraw all land forces west of the Rhine River, to withdraw it's fleet to the Baltic Sea, and to surrender huge amounts of equipment. the guns fell silent and the fighting stopped.

Treaty of Versailles

Jun 28, 1919

this treaty was the most important of the peace treaties that brought World War I. The Treaty ended the state of war between Germany and the allied powers.