-
The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Archduke and wife, Sophie, were shot and killed while touring Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. They were assassinated by Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip. This tragic event caused Austria-Hungary to ask Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany (a friend of the late archduke) to ask for help and support in persuing justice on Serbia. The Serbians then asked Russia for help. This caused many more allies to form, and soon, all of Europe was divided. -
England Blockades Germany
The British create a blockade of Germany in an attempt to prevent raw materials and food to the country and those others allied with it. As many as 763,000 German lives were lost due to starvation and disease as a result of this blockade. -
Germany Declares War on France
Germany declared war on France after deciding that it would be best to target them first, as they believed France was weak and would be easy to capture. Making it easier to eventually take on their most imminent threat, Russia. -
The Lusitania Sinks
The Lusitania was a passanger vessel that was sunk by German submarines. 1,198 of the 1,959 died, shocking the world at this display of cruelty and the killing of innocent civilians. Americans were also outraged, as 128 American lives were lost as a result of a war they had no part of. -
WIlson is Re-elected
President Wilson won his re-election as a result of his support in how well he was handling the development of World War I. -
U.S. Banks Loan $2.3 Billion to Support the Allies
America wanted to remain neutral, they loaned the Central Powers 27 million dollars. But at this point, they were definitely leaning towards the Allied Nations, giving them 2.3 billion dollars to support them financially. -
Germany Announces Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
German Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg annouced the use of unrestricted submarine warfare, cautious of the response of America. As he feared, Americans were outraged and terrified. They were unable to safely cross certain waters for the risk being attacked in a war they were not involved in. At this point, many were remembering the Lusitania. This would later be a huge factor in the U.S. joining the war. -
The Zimmerman Note
This note was a telegram sent by the Germans, intercepted by the British, and intended for Mexico. The note stated that Germany intends to keep the U.S. neutral, but in the case that they don't, Germany would propose that Mexico make war with America and take back all of the land Americans had taken from Mexico. This further angered the U.S. -
Bolshevik Revolution Breaks out in Russia
After Czar Nicholai II sent 11 million peasants out to war, a womans' protest formed, outraged at the czar. Nicholai sent out armed forces, but the women convinced the soldiers to join them. The czar, his family, even his son's dog were all executed. Absolutely no one was spared. After Czar Nicholai II died, Russia began to fall away from the war, weak and without a leader. -
The Selective Service Act is Ratified by Congress
This act allowed the United States President to draft soldiers for the war effort. It also required that all men between the ages of 21 and 30 must register for military service. About 10 million responded. The American aid presented to the Allies largely helped in winning the war. -
The U.S. Congress Ratifies the War Resolution
World War I ended officially with the Treaty of Versailles, signed by Germany and the Allies. This treaty however, was not ratified by the U.S. There was declared peace between America and Germany on this date, when Congress passes this war resolution in 1921.
