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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princep. Set off the powder keg of Europe. -
Austrian-Hungarian Empire Declares War on Serbia
Due to the assassination, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire declared what was expected to be a short war on Serbia. -
Germany invades Belgium
To execute the Schlieffen Plan, Germany had to go through Belgium in order to invade France. -
Battle of Tannenberg
Germans defeated the Russian army on its way to invade Germany. -
First Battle of the Marne
The Allies stopped the German invasion of Paris. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A British passenger ship, sunk by a German U-Boat. -
Battle of Verdum
The French held their line against a German offensive until December of the same year, during the longest battle of the war. -
Battle of Jutland
An indecisive naval battle between German and British fleets. -
Battle of the Somme
A disastrous Allied offensive at the Somme, where Allied casualties numbered in the millions. -
Zimmerman Telegram
British intelligence gives Wilson the so-called Zimmermann Telegram, a message from German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann proposing that Mexico side with Germany in case of war between Germany and the United States. In return, Germany promises to return to Mexico the "lost provinces" of Texas and much of the rest of the American Southwest. Mexico declines the offer, but the outrage at this interference in the Western Hemisphere pushes American public opinion to support entering the war. -
US Declares War
The United States enters into the first World War, declaring war on the Central Powers. -
Wilson For War
President Wilson outlines his case for war to Congress. -
USSR withdraws from the War
Russian revolutionaries setup a Communist goverment, attempting to make peace with the Central Powers. -
German Spring Offensive of 1918
A series of German Attacks along the Western Front. -
RAF Formed
The british Royal Air Force is formed. -
Second Battle of the Marne
The turning point of the war, in which the Allies defeated the Central Powers and advanced continuously until the end of the war. -
Battle of St. Mihiel
General Pershing leads the American Army to Victory. -
Austrian-Hungarian Empire Surrenders
The Austrian-Hungarian Empire surrenders. -
Kaiser Abdicated
Wilhem II is overthrown, and a German Republic is made. -
World War 1 ends
The Central Powers, tired of fighting, sign the armistice that ends World War 1