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Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo during a visit there. They were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip of the Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist organization. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War
Austria-Hungary delcares war on Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand. -
Russia Mobilizes
Czar Nicholas II orders full mobilization of Russia. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
Germany orders Russia to halt its mobilization. Russia ignores this warning, and Germany declares War on Russia. -
Germany Declares War on France
Under the Schlieffen Plan, Germany needed to invade France. Therefore, it declared war on France. -
Great Britain Declares War
Germany demanded that Belgium allow for its troops to pass through, despite Belgium being neutral. Great Britain declares war on Germany for violating Belgian neutrality. -
Soldiers Prepare for War
Soldiers of both sides begin preparing to go to war. They are very optimistic and are convinced that it will be over by Christmas. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Russia
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia, involving every major world power in the war. -
Allies Declare War on Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire had sided with the Central Powers since August, but the Allies had not decared war on them until November. -
Christmas Truce
Both sides on the Western Front stopped fighting and celebrated Christmas. They exchanged cigarettes, sang songs, and played a game of soccer. However, the next day, the war continued. -
Allies Land Forces at Gallipoli
The Allies attempt to open a front on the Balkans by landing in Gallipoli, which ultimately fails. -
Italy Joins Allies
Italty betrays the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary and joins the Allied Powers. -
The Lusitania Sunk
The British ship Lusitania is sunk by German forces. Because there were US Citizens on board, this leads to several US protests. -
Germany Suspends Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
After several protests in the US, Germany suspends unrestricted submarine warfare in order to prevent antagonizing the US further. -
Bulgaria Joins Central Powers
Bulgaria allies with the Central Powers. The Central Powers then eliminate Serbia from the war. -
Grigori Rasputin Assassinated
Grigori Rasputin, a man which the Russian czar's family believed was holy, was assassinated. -
Germany Resumes Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare, thinking that the British will submit before the US gets involved. -
Czar Nicholas II Steps Down
The czar of Russia, Nicholas II steps down, ending the monarchy in Russia. -
Lenin Brought to Russia
V. I. Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik party, is brought to Russia in order to create disorder to overthrow the government. -
United States Enters the War
The United States enters the war after Germany goes back to unrestricted submarine warfare. The United States brings in a new hope for the Allies. -
Lenin Signs Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Lenins signs a treaty with Germany that gives up Poland, Ukraine, Finland, and the Baltic Provinces. -
Nicholas II Executed
Nicholas II and his family are executed by the Bolsheviks. -
Germany Signs Armistice
The German government signs an armistice that ends the fighting. -
League of Nations Formed
The League of Nations is formed in order to prevent future international conflicts. -
Treaty of Versailles Signed
The Treaty of Versailles is signed, which brings peace to Europe and drastically changes its map.
