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Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and wife Sophie are assassinated by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in Sarajevo
In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, angering Serbian nationalists because they wanted the property to be part of Serbia. To investigate the imperial armed forces, Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austria, traveled to Herzegovina and Bosnia in June of 1914. Planning to kill the archduke upon the chance for his actions in 1908, Gavrolio Princip shot the couple while traveling, killing them on sight. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Following the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Austria-Hungary was scared of a possible attack by Serbia. To prepare for it, they secured the support of ally Germany and gave Serbia an ultimatum that Serbia’s anti-Austrian propaganda come to a halt, and for Austria-Hungary come to its own investigation of the archduke's death. Even with the compliance of Serbia, Austria broke diplomatic relations, calling for war on Serbia. -
Germany declares war on Russia
The first declaration of war between two very strong powers started when little power got into a fight. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, to which Russia’s government responded by mobilizing its army. Instead, Germany sent them an ultimatum: to stop or go to war. -
Germany and France declare war on each other
Alfred von Schlieffen conceived a plan of attack for a war against Russia and France. On August 3, 1914, Germany went ahead with their plan, calling for war on France. Only two hours later, France declared war against Germany, readying their troops to advance into Lorraine and Alsace. -
Britain declares war on Germany
This declaration of war is seen as the start of WWI. Germany had created and used the Schlieffen plan in reply to Sarajevo’s events, afraid to be surrounded by France and Russia. Britain gave an ultimatum to Germany: get out of Belgium or we’re going to war. With no word from Germany by midnight of August 3rd, Britain sent the attack signal. -
Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary
After Britain declared war on Germany, Russia followed by declaring war on Austria-Hungary. Russia was one of the last major companies to join the war. This war showed which side each country was on. -
First Battle of the Marne
The First Battle of Marne was fought to the north and east of Paris. This was the first time radio intercepts and automotive transport of troops were used during wartime. With the Germans out of logistics and heavy artillery, the French came out the victors of the battle. -
British begin a naval blockade of Germany
The British and the Germans both relied on imports to feed their populations. The British were hoping to starve Germany into resignation by blocking their ports from 1914 to 1919. This British naval blockade is credited to aid the eventual victory by the allied powers. -
An unofficial truce is declared between the two sides at Christmas
Christmas of 1914, shells firing ceased to celebrate the holiday. On Christmas eve, the celebration began with each side singing carols to each other, it's even rumored the Germans heard brass instruments joining. On Christmas Day, the two sides climbed out of the trenches to shake hands with their enemies, play soccer, and share cigarettes. Though not everyone was cheery; some used the time to retrieve their friend’s bodies from between the two sides’ lines. -
The second battle of Ypres begins
This battle took place in what is now western Flanders. It was the first battle that the Germans used poison gases as a defense. Using the gas created an opening on the allies’ side, but the Germans could not take advantage of it. -
British ocean liner Lusitania is torpedoed by a German U-boat
The Lusitania was a speedy and luxurious ship used for passenger trade, and it's sinking was an indirect way for the US to join the war. The British instructed the ship's captain to zigzag in irregular patterns toward Liverpool to confuse anyone trying to attack. The captain ignored the warnings and his ship was attacked. Killing 1,198 passengers, (128 Americans), outraged the US. Other countries expected a declaration of war to follow but the U.S. hung on their vow of neutrality. -
Battle of Verdun begins
This battle was one of the bloodiest and most horrific battles of WWI. French casualties totaled 400,000 soldiers while the German’s number of casualties was 350,000. In this battle, the French put down a major German defensive. -
The Battle of Jutland begins
The Battle of Jutland was a naval battle off Denmark's North Sea Coast, is the only major naval battle of WWI. With the battle starting in the afternoon, British Admiral John Jellicoe shifted his boats, enabling his many hits, causing the retreat of German Admiral Reinhard Scheer. Though both sides claimed to win the battle, Britain remained to keep the territory of the North Sea. -
First Battle of Somme
The First Battle of the Somme was expensive and unsuccessful for the Allied forces. On July 1, 1916, 11 divisions of the British army started their assail North of the Somme on a front extending for 15 miles from Serre and Beaumont-Hamel southward past Thiepval, Ovillers, and Fricourt and then eastward and southward to Maricourt, north of Curlu. Meanwhile, France attacked the Germans with 5 divisions on a front of 8 miles. -
Zimmermann Telegram intercepted by the British
The telegram was a message to the German ambassador of Mexico. It stated that if the neutral United States entered the war on the allied side, he was to approach Mexico’s president with an offer to forge a secret wartime alliance. In exchange for Germany to give the U.S’s Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona territory back to Mexico, Mexico would have to attack the U.S, funded by the Germans. -
Tsar Nicholas II abdicates the throne after a week of riots in the Russian capital of St. Petersburg
Riots broke out in St. Petersburg on March 8, 1917. Tsar Nicholas II sent troops to restore order but it was too late. The government relinquished and 7 days later, on March 15, 1917, Nicholas renounced the throne. -
The United States declares war on Germany
The U.S. decided to enter the war after the Zimmerman telegram and the sinking of Lusitania. The U.S. had to maintain the task of supplying, training, and transporting their forces. The 1st Infantry Division was mobilized in May of 1917, with the first troops landing on June 26, 1917. -
President Woodrow Wilson issues his Fourteen Points
President Woodrow Wilson listed his 14 points before a meeting with Congress, outlining his vision for peace in Europe for years to come. It involved the Allies making peace with the Central Powers, including freedom of the seas, and restoring territories that were conquered during the war. -
The Soviet government signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers
Vladimir Lenin wanted an immediate end to the war. The Bolsheviks were put in power during the October Revolution, followed by negotiations with Germany. With a treaty proposed that the Bolsheviks didn’t like, the Germans began marching across Ukraine, the Bolsheviks signed. -
Treaty of Versailles ends WWI
The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles in Paris to end World War I. It gave the responsibility of the war to Germany and took back territories gained from them during the war. It humiliated Germany, without really resolving anything. The distress on the economy led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party along with the beginning of World War II.