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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand instigated the beginning of WWI. Gavrilo Princip assassinated him on June 28, 1914 -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
On June 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia because a Serbian man assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand -
First use of gas as a weapon by the Germans
In 1915, the Germans used poisoned gas as a weapon against the Allied troops. Shortly after, all of the Armies started using gas. Gas masks became part of a soldier's mandatory equipment. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, a German U-Boat torpedoed the British passenger liner Lusitania near the coast of Ireland. The attack killed over 1,000 innocent passengers including women and children. Later, it was revealed the ship was caring war materials at the risk of its passengers. The Germans did have a reason to attack, but it was never publicly showcased. -
Wilson re-elected; pledged American neutrality
On November`7, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson was re-elected, promising American neutrality. In the end, Wilson did have America enter the war, but with the majority of the country on his side. -
Zimmerman Note
Arthur Zimmermann, a German government employee, sends a telegram to the German embassy in Mexico. In this telegram he encourages the Mexican government to invade the southern border of the United States. His idea is to distract America from the European affairs. The British intercept the telegram and inform President Willson. At first the American people feel this is just British propaganda. Those opinions change and Willson asks congress for a declaration of war against Germany. -
Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin overthrow Russian government
In November, 1917, Vladimir Lenin leads the Bolsheviks in overthrowing the Russian government and eventually creating the Soviet Union, a communist state. Shortly after the revolution, Russia quits WWI to focus on the rebuilding of it's government. -
America declares war on Germany
On April 6, 1917, the United States declares war on Germany, officially becoming part of WWI. Although President Willson pledged neutrality, the Germans had sunk our ships and asked countries at peace with us to attack. American joined the Allies, Great Britain, France, and Russia (who left the war soon after) to fight against the Central Powers, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. -
WWI ends
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, WWI, The Great War, The War of all Nations, The War to End all Wars, was officially over. The Treaty of Versailles, signed shortly after, finalized borders, punishment, and military restraints. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28,1919 after the war was officially over. Germany was not invited to negotiate the treaty and, once the treaty was finalized lost money, land, and military freedom.
