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Archduke Franz Ferdinand is shot
Killed by a group of Serbian Nationalists called the Black Hand. They thought Austria-Hungary was encroaching on Serbian land and wanted to send a message to the Austro-Hungarian Government. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The RMS Lusitania was a British passenger ship. The Germans sunk it because their spies in New York saw the British loading munitions onto the Lusitania. 120 Americans were on board and all died in the attack -
National Defense Act
A federal law that expanded the the size and scope of the national guard and guaranteed it's status as the nations permanent reserve force. -
Germany renews unrestricted submarine warfare
Bethmann Hollweg went before the German government and made the announcement that unrestricted submarine warfare would resume the next day. -
U.S breaks diplomatic relations with Germany
After the Germans resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, the United States had no choice but to break off diplomatic relations with Germany, as they had threatened to do twice before. -
U.S. declares war
President Woodrow Wilson went before a session of Congress in order to request a declaration of war against Germany. On this date, the U.S. Senate voted to support to declare war on Germany. -
Selective Service Act
Signed by President Wilson, it created the Selective Service System which managed the indication of 2.8 million men into the armed forces over the next two years and got rid of the frowned upon bounty system. -
First Liberty Loan
Liberty Loans were a way to get Americans who were not participating in the war effort in Europe to still be able to help fund the war from home. -
War Industries Board
A United States government agency established during World War I to coordinate the purchase of war supplies between the War Dept. and Navy Dept. -
Lever Food and Fuel Control Act
The US passed this Act as a way to have more food to send to the troops in Europe, which they believed would help win the war. President Hoover said, "Food Will Win the War!" as a slogan. -
War Revenue Act
Greatly influenced the federal income tax rates while simultaneously lowering exemptions. It brought out inheritance and personal income taxes. -
Second liberty loan
Established a $15 billion a limit on the amount of government bonds issued, which allowed $3 billion more offered at 25 years at 4% interest, redeemable after 10 years. The amount of the loan totaled $3.8 billion with 9.4 million people purchasing bonds. -
Railroads are nationalized
When President Woodrow Wilson issued an order for the federal government to nationalize the entire railroad system during World War I. -
Maximum prices for steel
The war made the demand for metals like steel and iron skyrocket. Since the demand was so high, the US could control the price of steel, which helped the economy boom immediately following the war -
Germans begin massive offensive on the western front
The Germans had almost closed out the war on the Eastern Front, since Russia had pulled out of the war. Germany sent most of their troops to the Western Front to combat France and Great Britain and hopefully draw a surrender before the US could sent fresh troops. -
Third Liberty Loan
A liberty bond sold during WWI that helped cover the war expenses of the US. The bonds were loans from citizen to the US Gov which eventually is repaid with interest in the future. -
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Battle of Belleau Wood
Was the first large-scale battle fought by American soldiers during WWI. The German offensive destroyed the Western Front to within 45 miles of Paris. U.S forces under General Pershing helped halt the German advance. By the end of the first day, the U.S suffered more than 1,000 casualties. Finally, Americans prevailed but at the cost of nearly 10,000 dead/wounded/MIA. -
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Second Battle of the Marne
This Battle was the turning point of the war, in which the Germans led their final offensive, and the Allies held and then launched a counter-attack on July 18. -
First independent action by the American Expeditionary Force
The AEF, under General John J. Pershing, launched their first major offensive in Europe as an independent army. Their successful campaign was one of the major turning points in the war for the Allies. -
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900,000 Americans in the Battle of Meuse-Argonne
The deadliest battle in U.S history. It involved more than a million American soldiers and claimed the lives of 26,277 and was launched in northern France on Sept. 26, 1918 to push the German army out of the country and reclaim a rail network necessary to supplying enemy troops. The fight lasted 46 days. -
Fourth Liberty Loan
Was a part of the effort by the U.S. govt to sell liberty bonds during WWI to cover the expense of war. The bonds were issued by the U.S. Treasury. -
Armistice
The Armistice was the sign of the end of the war. Signed in the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918, this stopped the fighting between Germany, France, and Great Britain. The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty signed 6 months later
