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Franz Ferdinand Assassination
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand instigated the beginning of World War I -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia because Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Due to its alliance with Serbia, Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary. Russia's entry caused most European countries to join the war. -
First Use of Gas as a Weapon by the Germans
The Germans surprised the Allies by introducing poisonous gas to the battle field. The Allies couldn't do anything except watch their friends drop to the ground. The Allies kept trying to find an effective gas mask, but were unable until they took one off a dead German soldier and copied the model. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
On May 7, 1915 a German U-Boat torpedoed the passenger liner RMS Lusitania off the Irish coast. This killed thousands of innocent American women and children. This enraged the American people, but there were weapons hidden on board. -
Wilson Reelected; Pledged American Neutrality
President Woodrow Wilson was reelected in November of 1916 under the pledge of keeping America neutral. This pledge was broken when America joined the war in 1917. -
Zimmermann Note
Aurthur Zimmermann, a German diplomat, sent a telegram to Mexico asking them to invade the U.S. If America entered the war. Germany promised to become an ally of Mexico if they did this.This telegram was intercepted and decoded by the British, who sent it to the Americans. This was the last straw for the American people. -
U.S. Declares War
On November 6, 1917, the United States of America declared war on Germany. This was provoked by Germany's sinking many U.S. merchant ships and killing thousands of American women and children when they sank the Lusitania off the Irish coast. -
Bolsheviks Led by Lenin Overthrow Russian Government
In March of 1917 Czar Nicholas II stepped down as ruler. The government that took over after that couldn't solve Russia's food shortages. Then the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin overthrew the government. Lenin signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, and Russia was now officially out of the war. -
War Ends
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the first world war finally ended when Germany asked the United States for armistice. All German troops were forced to leave France and Belgium. -
Treaty of Versailles
On June 29, 1919, Germany accepted the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty stated that Germany was forced to give up colonies and they had to pay billions of dollars of reparations to the allies. This was seen as harsh to many American citizens. In the end the treaty had been rejected by the U.S. Senate.
