World War I The Great War

Creation of the Triple Alliance

May 20, 1882

Germany forms the Triple Alliance with Austria and Italy.

Invention of the Maxim Gun

Jul 7, 1885

The Maxim Gun, which would be used during WW1, was patented by Hiram Maxim

Creation of the Triple Entente

Aug 31, 1907

France forms the Triple Entenete with Great Britain and Russia

Assasination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand

Jun 28, 1914

Francis Ferdinand was the heir to Austria-Hungary. Himself and his pregnant wife were assasinated by The Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group.

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

Start of war to US involvement

Period: Jul 28, 1914 to Apr 6, 1917

German declares war

Aug 1, 1914

Germany declares war on Russia and 2 days lattter they declared war on France

Wilson Neutrality

Aug 4, 1914

President Woodrow Wilson formally proclaims the neutrality of the United States

Austria-Hungary declares war

Aug 6, 1914

Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia

Battle of Cer

Aug 15, 1914

First battle in which aerial dogfight was used in the war.

First Battle of the Marne

Sep 5, 1914

First battle of WW1

German blockade of England

Feb 4, 1915

Germany blockades Britain using submarines

Sinking of the Lusitania

May 7, 1915

The British ship, the Lusitania, is torpedoed and sinks off the Irish coast; 1,198 passengers drown, including 114 Americans.

William Jenning Bryan resigned as Secretary of State

May 8, 1915

William Jennings Bryan feels Woodrow Wilson will lead the country into war so he resignes.

Battle of Verdum

Feb 21, 1916

Longest battle in human history

Mustard Gas used

Mar 3, 1916

First time Mustard Gas is used in warfare

Election of 1916

Nov 7, 1916

Woodrow Wilson re-elected President of the United States with campaign slogan: "He kept us out of the war"

Zimmerman Telegram

Jan 19, 1917

Britain intercepts and translates German Foreign Secretary Zimmermann's telegram to Mexico urging its entry into war against the United States.

German unleashes U-boat

Jan 31, 1917

Germany announces the renewal of unrestricted submarine warfare in the Atlantic

“the world must be made safe for democracy”

Mar 2, 1917

Woodrow Wilson famous line in asking Congress to declare war.

United States declares war on Germany

Apr 6, 1917

The US formally declares war on Germany and enters the conflict in Europe.