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Franz Ferdinand Assassination
The assassination sparked the beginning of World war I -
Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia
Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia this was the beginning of the first great war -
First use of gas weapon by the Germans
Gas weapons proved to be deadly on the field. Later soilders started using gas mask the first models weren't to effective -
Sinking of Lusitania
This was the first boat that the Germans sank that had American lives on it. This greatly upset the Americans -
President Woodrow Wilson reelected; pledged American neutrality
President Woodrow Wilson is reelected and promises American neutrality. He doesn't keep this promise. -
Zimmermann Note
This was the last straw that tipped us into the war. The Zimmermann note was Germany trying to make an alliance with Mexico in case we got into the war, so that they could distract us. Not a half bad idea. -
U.S. declares war
Thanks to the Zimmermann note, other events, and most of America wanting to declare war, we declared war on the Central powers. -
Bolsheviks overthrow Russia Government
The Bolsheviks led by Lenin over throws the Russian government, and said they made it a more democratic government. It wasn't. -
War ends
On October 4, 1918, the German government asked President Wilson for an armistice. Wilson consented, but only under certain conditions.While German leaders considered Wilson's demands, unrest erupted in their country. This caused the German Kaiser to step down.On November 9, Germany became a republic. The leaders of Germany's new government agreed to President Wilson's terms for an armistice. On the 11th month 11th day 11th hour the war officially ended. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Allies and Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles. Under its harsh terms, Germany had to accept full responsibility for the conflict. It had to pay the Allies billions of dollars. It had to disarm completely and give up its overseas colonies and some territory in Europe. Wilson was able to get his League of Nations included in the treaty. He believed that the League would correct any mistakes in the rest of the treaty.