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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive, was assassinated by a group of Serbian nationalist, Black Hand, Franz was shot by leading member of the group, Gavrilo Princip. The Black Hand believed that Franz Ferdinand presented a threat to the autonomy of Serbia. Following his assassination Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum which in turn leads to one of the bloodiest and brutal conflicts known to man. -
The "Powder Keg" explodes
The belligerent wood soaked in the gas of bitter animosity has been lit causing a volatile explosion. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia for failing to fulfill the Ultimatum issued following the Archdukes assassination. Russia joins the war to defend it's weaker slavic underling, Serbia, from the Austro-Hungarians. Germany declares war on Russia then declares war on France, leaving a trail of destruction through Belgium. Germany blunders then fights a two-front war. -
Russia announces mobilization
It took the Russians about six weeks to mobilize since they were notorious for their ability to mobilise their armies. Mobilisation began shortly after War had been declared on Serbia. -
Germany invades France
Two days after Germany declares war on Russia, Germany declares war on France. The German chief of staff of the army, Alfred von Schlieffen fabricates a plan named after him to avoid fighting a two-front war. Germany then decides to push through Belgium, razing the country as Germany makes its trek to France. France decides hours later to declare war. The Schlieffen plan end up failing and the Germans had to fight the two-front war. -
Great Britain joins the war
Great Britain, who is linked to France through a loose treaty, declares war on Germany. Great Britain's intervention was started through Germany's invasion of France. -
The first of many battles to come
The Battle of Mons, the first British European clash since Napoleon's battle at Waterloo. Mons, Belgium. Four British Expeditionary Forces were deployed and commanded by Sir John French. In the morning at 9:00 German guns had opened fire upon the British. After nine hours of fighting, the British suffered 1,600 casualties. The first day of British combat they suffered a bitter humiliating defeat. -
The RMS Lusitania gets scuttled by U-boat
German U-boat scuttles cruise liner, RMS Lusitania. Germany stated before that it would sink any boat that comes from the belligerents side. 1,195 people died as result of this attack, 128 of them were Americans. This event strained relations with the United States. Germany then violated naval rules by attacking a passenger ship. -
German foreign minster, Arthur Zimmerman sends a note Mexico
Arthur Zimmerman sends a telegram to Mexico. The intent with the note was to get Mexico to attack the United States by getting means of revenge for the territory lost in the Spanish-American War. This telegram was intercepted by British intelligence. Several weeks later, the United States receives word of the telegram. -
The United States enters the war
The United States finally had enough with German and declares war. The United States was at odds with Germans at first when they sunk the Lusitania. The United States was absolutely outraged when they found out about the Zimmerman Telegram. The United States then declares war on Germany. -
Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
The war comes to a conclusion. The Allies meet in Paris to delegate what terms need to be fulfilled. Germany had been subjected to numerous number reparations. Germany had to get rid of it Luftwaffe. Germany had to limits army to about 10,000 men. Germany lost all of its colonial holdings, had to give the taken territory taken from France, and Germany had to pay over 500,000,000 dollars worth of damages.