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Period: to
WW1
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Archduke Franz's Assassination
Taking place on June 28th 1914 was the death and assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife while on their way to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. The assassination was done so by a teenage Serbian revolutionary. This event is commonly referred to as the catalyst that started the "Great War" , known as World War 1 today. -
The Battle of the Frontiers
The name of the first few large battles of the war that took place on the western front. Battles that ranged from southern Belgium to the eastern frontier of France. The Germans were the victors of many of these battles which resulted in the Allies retreating. This involved 68 different German divisions who combated against 62 French divisions, 6 Belgium and British Divisions. -
First Battle of Ypres
The battle was between the Germans and the Allies. The physical battle took place in western Flanders, Belgium. The battle resulted from both sides attempting sea control over ports and the coast. The British Expeditionary Force and the French troops managed to successfully ward off the Germans. Although the battle did end in a stalemate the Allies managed to prevent the Germans from reaching and taking control of Ypres's ports. -
Italy joins the War
When WW1 initially broke out Italy had declared neutrality. Although in secret Italy communicated and negotiated with the Allies in exchange for territory for joining their side. On May 23rd, 1915 Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary after signing the secret Treaty of London. After Germany continued unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann telegram was revealed Italy decided to declare war on them on August 28th, 1916. -
Lusitania Sunk by U-boat
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner that got sunk by a German U-Boat on April 17th 1915. This resulted in the death of 1,198 people, 128 being Americans. The U.S government remained in neutrality for a period of two years. In 1917 the United States declared war, as a result beginning German submarine warfare. -
Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun lasted roughly 10 months and took about a million lives as a result of combat. It was fought between Germany and France on the Western Front. The strategy the Germans had was to wear out the French military with a massive barrage of artillery in hopes of breaking down the French Soldier's willpower and strength to fight. Neither side truly benefited from the Battle of Verdun. -
The Zimmermann Telegram
The Zimmerman telegram was a secret diplomatic message sent from Germany to Mexico. The telegram included details proposing a military alliance against the United States if they entered The Great War. The telegram was intercepted by the British and the information was shared with the U.S. government. This encouraged the U.S. in its eventual decision to declare war on Germany in 1917. -
United States joins the War
Despite having been neutral in the beginning stage of war that didn't stay the same for long. The U.S. declared war as a result of previous conflicts with Germany. Incidents such as the U-boat warfare and the sinking of the Lusitania resulted in the death of many Americans and Allies. Information discovered such as the Zimmerman telegram was what swayed the U.S. into officially joining The Great War by declaring war on Germany. -
Russia signs the Armistace
As Russia was under the Bolshevik government they desired to end their involvement in WW1. In November of 1917, Russia opened peace negotiations with the Central powers. December 15th, 1917 an Armistice was signed between Russia and the Central powers to formally end all hostility between them and allow Russia to withdraw themselves from the war. However not long after they both violated the Armistice. Which led to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on March 3rd 1918. -
The Fourteen Points
The Fourteen Points were proposed as a new set of principles for peace. They were announced by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in a speech to Congress as a response to the results of the war. The points were made to encourage The Allies to continue fighting and to help provide a stable and peaceful framework for life after the war. -
The Battle of Amiens
This battle was the opening phase of the Allied offensive. Also known as the Hundred Days Offensive it eventually led to the war's end. Powers involved in this battle were the British, French, Canadian, and Australians against the German lines that were east of Amiens. The Battle of Amiens helped to raise morale and boost confidence for The Allied while the Germans were mentally drained as result of it. -
The Final Allied Offensive
The final Allied offensive on the Western Front was a series of massive attacks launched by many of the Allied forces against the Germans. It took place from August to November of 1918. Commonly referred to as the Hundred Days Offensive. Throughout the offensive, the Allies managed to succeed in wearing down the German's resistance and morale in battle. The end of the offensive was on November 11th, 1918 with the signing of the Armistice and marked the collapse of the German Empire. -
Signing of the Armistace
The Armistice represented that of a cease-fire agreement between the Allies and Germany. The Armistice came into effect at 11:00 am on the day of the signing. Thus nullifying the combat taking place on the Western Front. The Armistice lasted and was renewed on three separate occasions until the Treaty of Versailles came to be signed on June 28th, 1919; which marked the end of the war. -
The collapse of The Central Powers
The collapse of The Central Powers began with Bulgaria's loss. Bulgaria was the first to surrender by signing the Armistice on September 29th, 1918 after being defeated on the Macedonian front by the Allies. Austria was next and signed the Armistice on November 3rd, 1918 after the collapse of their army for numerous reasons. Germany was to sign and did it on November 11th, 1918 after the western front was breached. The Armistice effectively ended the war and the central powers as a whole. -
The Treat of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles marked the end of WW1. Putting a complete stop to any further combat between nations. The victors of the war were the Allies and Germany was defeated. As the war was now formally over Germany had to accept blame for the damages. Resulting in Germany being obligated to pay $33 billion U.S dollars in today's money.
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