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Pre-1914
British launch first "dreadnought" class battleship. -
The Assassination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo. -
The Start of the War
Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. -
Russia Enters the War
As an ally of Serbia, Russia announces full mobilization of her armed forces. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
Germany mobilizes her armed forces and declares war on Russia. -
Germany Declares War on France
Germany declares war on France. -
Germany Declares War on Belgium
Germany declares war on neutral Belgium and invades in a right flanking move designed to defeat France quickly. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia. -
First Battle of the Marne
First Battle of the Marne halts German invasion in France. -
Trench War-fare
First trenches of the Western front are dug. -
Total War
War becomes "Total War" with German Zeppelin air raid on England -
German blockade of Great Britian
Germany declares a submarine blockade of Great Britain. Any ship approaching England is considered a legitimate target. -
Gallipoli
Allies begin nine-month battle for the Turkish peninsula of Gallipoli. -
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
U-boat sinks the Lusitania. 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans die. -
Germany Ceases Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany responds to U.S. anger by ceasing to sink ships without warning -
allies withdraw from Gallipoli
Allies begin withdrawal of troops from Gallipoli. -
Battle of Verdun
The longest battle of the war, the Battle of Verdun, is fought to a draw with an estimated one million casualties. -
US President Wilson publicly warns Germany
US President Wilson publicly warns Germany not to continue unrestricted submarine warfare policies -
The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme results in an estimated one million casualties and no breakthrough for the Allies. British introduce the tank, an effective weapon but far to few to make much of a difference. -
American Soldiers come to France
The first wave of the American Expeditionary Force lands in France. -
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister of Britain. -
The telegram to Mexico
Reich Foreign Secretary Zimmermann's telegram to Mexico urging her entry into war against the United States is discovered and translated by the British. -
Germany again declares unrestricted submarine warfare.
Germany again declares unrestricted submarine warfare. -
America Declares war on Germany
President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war with Imperial Germany. -
Disastrous Offensive at Chemin des Dames,
French launch disastrous offensive at Chemin des Dames, advancing only 500 yards at the cost of 250,000 plus casualties. -
Russia's Final Battle
Russian Army lead by Alexander Kerensky begins last -- and disastrous -- offensive in Galicia. -
American's Fight in Trench Warfare
American troops in France fire their first shot in trench warfare. -
Wilson's 14 points
President Woodrow Wilson declares his 14 points as the path to permanent world peace. -
Second Battle of the Marne
Germans on the banks of the Marne near Paris are stopped by American forces at Chateau-Thierry. -
Allied counter offensives on the Somme
Allied counter offensives on the Somme push the German army back and into retreat -
A German republic is founded.
A German republic is founded. -
Germany and Allies sign an Armistice.
At eleven o'clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the war ends as Germany and Allies sign an Armistice. -
The Paris Peace Conference
Woodrow Wilson sets sail for the Paris Peace conference. -
Demobilization of the armies
Demobilization of the armies, millions return home -
The Treaty of Versailles is Signed by Germany
Peace Treaty signed by German delegates and Allies in Versailles.
