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Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated
the Archduke of Austria and his wife were shot in Sarajevo, by Gavrilo Princip, who was one of seven assassins. -
British Blockade of Germany
The British navy blockaded Germany in an effort to restrict the maritime supply of raw materials and foodstuffs to the Central Powers, -
Germany declares war on France
Two days after declaring war on Russia, Germany declares war on France, moving ahead with a long-held strategy, conceived by the former chief of staff of the German army, Alfred von Schlieffen, for a two-front war against France and Russia. -
Lusitania is sunk
The sinking of the Lusitania enraged Americans and hastened the United States' entrance into World War I. -
President Wilson wins reelection
President Woodrow Wilson, the Democratic candidate, was pitted against Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes, the Republican candidate. -
U.S. banks had already loaned $2.3 billion to the Allies
In October 1914, President Woodrow Wilson loaned $500 million to the Triple Entente. Eventually, the U.S. loaned $2,3 billion to the Triple Entente, and $27 million to the Triple Alliance. However, the U.S. was a neutral nation at this time. -
Zimmerman Note
British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause. -
Bolshevik Revolution begins in Russia
Russian Revolution placed the Bolsheviks as the leaders of Russia, resulting in the creation of the world's first communist country. -
Germany announces unresticted submarine warfare
Germany returns to the policy of unrestricted submarine warfare it had previously suspended in response to pressure from the United States and other neutral countries. -
Selective Service Act is ratified by Congress
Six weeks after the United States formally entered the First World War, the U.S Congress passes the Selective Service Act on May 18, 1917, giving the U.S. president the power to draft soldiers. Men between the ages of 18 and 45 were required to register for the 1st draft since the Civil War. 2.8 million of the 24 million that registered for the draft were choosen.