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Franco-Prussian War
The war between France and Prussia ended in defeat for France. France lost the regions of Alsace and Lorraine. This caused widespread resentment and want for revenge among the French. -
Accession of Wilheln II to the German Throne
He refused to renew the Reinsurrance Treaty with Russia that maintained the peace between Russia and Austria-Hungary as well as keep France isolated. These decisions eventually helped create an alliance between Russia and France. -
Neutrality
At the start of the war, America had declared it's neutrality -
The Western Front
All throughout Trenches were used during battle. Trenches were about head high and were used by both sides. An estimated 8.5 to 12 million people died diring Trench warfare -
Ferdinand's Assassination
Gavrilo Princip assassinates Franz Ferdinand. This is the immediate cause of WW1. -
German U-Boats
In the beginning of WW1 German had 29 U-boats which sank 5 British Cruisers. Overall, Germany built about 360 U-boats in all during WW1. They ended up losing 178 of them and were responsible for 11 million tons of lost Allied shipping. -
War Begins
Austria-hungary declares war on Serbia -
Ottoman Empire and Germany
Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Germany sign a secret treaty of Alliance -
Germany declares war on France
Germany declares war on France -
Germany invades Belgium
Germany invades Belgium, leading Britian to declare war on Germany. -
Austria-Hungary invades Russia
Austria-Hungary invades Russia -
Aircrafts
At the beginning, British airmen were part of the British Army and commissioned officers had ranks known as the Royal Flying Corps. By the end of WW1 they no longer existed and the new Royal Air Force took control. -
Chemical Weaponry
Along the Western Front many types of chemical weaponry were used. One of the types was poisonous gas. Opposing sides would take canasters filled with the poisonous gas and chuck them into the trenches. -
Christmas Truce
Even though the French and the Germans had been fighting only days before. The French came out of the trenches and started to sing Christmas Carols. The Germans were baffled by this action but intrigued by the Christmas Carols. The Germans began to come out of trenches and for a little while France and Germany got along until somebody started shooting again. -
The Red Baron
The Red Baron was an aircraft pilot that was actually named Manfred von Richthofen. The aircraft killed approx. 80 people. the aircraft was also painted 'Red' so it could intimidate and draw in enemies. It was eventually shot down in 1918. -
Tanks
The tank was first used in the Battle of Flers and then again the Battle of Somme. The tanks did a great deal to end the horrors of Trench Warfare. The tank first became an idea went Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest Swinton needed some kind of vehicle to help him and his men on the Western Front. -
Kiffin Rockwell
He became known as the first American to down an enemy plane. -
Re-Election
Even though most Americans supported the Allies, Woodrow Wilson was re-elected for President with the slogan "He kept us out of war." -
America enters war
America entered WW1 on the side of the Allies. -
The Eastern Front: Russia
Russia lost an entire 9 million men while on the Eastern Front. They eventually went home because they were fed up and demoralised with war. -
Wilson's 14 Points
In an address to Congress, Woodrow Wilson proposed 14 points that he thought would lead to World peace. These points were later taken as the basis for peace negotiations at the end of war. -
Amistice Agreement
The signing of the Armistice was signed in a railroad car. The treaty was basically just a seize fire. It took about 6 months to actually stop all the fighting. It ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Woodrow Wilson's 14 points were also written during this time. It was signed by FRANCE, GREAT BRITAIN and GERMANY. -
The Last Casualty
At 10.59, the last recorded casualty of WW1 fell to his death 1 minute before the seize fire. Sargeant Henry Gunther was killed by a German machine gun.
