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Development of Alliances
Britain, France, and Russia belonged to the Triple Entente. It was a reaction to the Triple Alliance. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy belonged to the Triple Alliance. They were opposing forces in WWI, and the countries involved helped each other with military support. -
Technology in WWI
There were many new technological advances during WWI such as tanks, mustard gas, and machine guns. Tanks were brought in by the British, and many were unsuccessful but a third of the tanks broke enemy lines. Mustard Gas cause severe blisters on enemies. All fronts had machine guns and they were the first weapons used in WWI. These new technologies furthered the warfare of WWI. -
The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The assassination of the archduke of Austria sparked WWI. He and his wife were shot by a Serbian. Austria blamed the Serbian government and declared war once Germany reassured them they would support Austria. This assassination was important because it led to the outbreak of war in Europe. -
Austria Declares War on Serbia
The assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austria, sparked WWI. Austria declared war on Serbia one month after the assassination. Germany reassured Austria that they would support them against Russia. The war heightened from then on. -
The First Battle of Marne
The First Battle of Marne was between Anglo-French and German troops northeast of Paris. Heinrich von Kluck, German commander, moved his troops in a way that enabled the Anglo-French to push the Germans back. The Anglo-French won the battle because they hit the German men unexpectedly. Germany ran out of plans and artillery. The Anglo-French victory was important because the battle was the first to use radios and automotive vehicles in war. -
Stalemate on the Western Front
There was a stalemate on the Western front during WWI that barely changes until the end of the war. German and Allied troops had similar weaponry, therefore the fight was fair. The stalemate rarely moved. -
Striking of the Lusitania
Many Americans were content with President Woodrow Wilson claiming neutrality for the United States at the end of WWI. This changed when a German U-boat that was heading from New York to Liverpool, England torpedoed the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner. More than 120 of the 1900 people on board were American. All over the world, Germany had a negative reputation because of the sinking of the Lusitania. This event got America involved in joining WWI. -
The Russian Revolution
Czar Nicholas II was in power when the Russian Revolution began. He left his wife to rule when he left Russia to fight in WWI. People started to protest maltreatment, and the Czar abdicated the throne in March. In November, there was a civil war with the Bolsheviks and a group of allies, with a Bolshevik victory. This established the Soviet Union. -
America Joins the War
America remained neutral throughout the war. But Americans became upset with Germany after ships sunk by Germans contained American passengers, and after the Zimmerman Note. The United States broke their relations with Germany and Congress voted to join the war against Germany by Woodrow Wilson's request. America joining the army helped the Allies to their victory in WWI. -
Selective Service Act
Congress passed the Selective Service Act six weeks after the United States joined WWI. The Allies needed new troops even though the United States had given them many materials. President Woodrow Wilson signed a law that required all men ages 21-30 to enlist in military service. This gave the Allies 10 million troops in just a few months. America enlisted 24 million troops by the end of the year. -
Battle of Cantigny
Cantigny, a village in France, was capture by Germany when the United States entered the war. The battle was America's first victory in WWI. With the help of France, the United States Army took cantigny from Germany and imprisoned many german soldiers. Germany attacked the Americans but America still kept Cantigny. -
Battle of St. Mihiel
The Battle of St. Mihiel was the first major offensive victory for the American Expeditionary Forces. General John Pershing and Allied Supreme Commander Ferdinand Foch wanted the American Expeditionary Forces headquarters to be at St. Mihiel. Pershing led the attack. The victory boosted morale in the United States troops -
Armistice
Germany signed an Armistice with the Allies at 11:00 on November 11th, 1918. It was signed in Ferdinand Foch's railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne in France. The Allied Powers, Britain, France, and the United States, won the war while the Central Powers, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, lost the war. WWI was supposed to be the "war to end all wars."
