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Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassination
On the 28th of June Archduke and his wife Sophie were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. There was more then one attempt to kill Archduke, but Princip and his guys had failed after they threw the bomb under the wrong car. However they were not so lucky on the second try. Princip whipped out his pistol before shooting Archduke twice and striking Sophie's abdomen. Their deaths set of chains of events that caused World War 1. -
World War 1 Begins
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and the already weak peace between the great powers of Europe collapsed. Soon Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Serbia lined up against Austria-Hungary and Germany. -
Trench Warfare
Trench warfare became a common tactic used in the war. Even though it kept a lot of men safe, it caused a huge pause in WW1 because of stalemate. Stalemate occurred when machine guns became a weapon of choice. Everyone was afraid to step out of No-Man's Land. This was because they knew it would be sudden death. Barbed wire was used to protect the men in the trenches, making it hard for people to rush anyways. Things like airplanes, poison gas and tanks were made to end statement. -
Fighter Planes
They were created before 1915, but they were introduced to WW1 in 1915. Their top speed at the time was 100 mph. They didn't provide a lot of protection but were still useful. This invention, along with tanks and gas, helped end trench warfare. They could shoot people in the trenches to stop stalemate. -
Twenty-One Demands
January 18, 1915, the Japanese governments made 21 claims of "special privileges" in China during WW1. Other major European powers already had them. This made it hard for them to oppose Japans move because of their involvement in the war. They were introduced to China's President on May 7th. He officially signed the series of agreements on May 25th. -
Armenian Genocide
In April of 1915, the Ottoman government decided to diminish its Armenian population. Over three years, the Armenian population went from 2 million to an estimated 1 million. Many of those 1 million because homeless and stateless refugees. They had to pay extra to live there because they were non-Muslims and their safety/security was never promised. By 1923, almost the entire population of Anatolian Turkey had disappeared. -
Poison Gas
Poison gas made its appearance in many wars, but it is now banned from ever being used in a current or future war. It is banned because it could cause loss of eyesight temporarily or in worst cases, cause death. Many became unconscious because of the agony and strain they were put through. This became a common tactic to distract, slow down and takeover the enemies. The first attack was made by the Germans, it devastated the allies. -
The Sinking of the Lusitania
During this time, U-Boars were invited. They were used as German submarines. the German;s decided to sink the Lusitania, a British submarine. Little did they know, more than 100 Americans were also on board. This was one of the reasons that the United States decided to leave the neutral side and join the war. -
First Battle of the Somme
Known as the bloodiest battles in the history of the British army, fought by the British Empire and the German Empire. The first day of battle being most disastrous, nearly killing 20,000 people. The Battle of the Somme lasted up to 5 months, killing and wounding more 1 million soldiers by the end of it. -
The Zimmerman Telegram
European nations were engaged in a war around 1914-1917. The United States remained neutral throughout that time. When Germany broke its pledge to limit submarine warfare, a response from the British took place. Breaking the Sussex Pledge caused the United States to be drawled into the war. -
Frank W. Buckles
Frank was to young to enlist in the army, but he managed to sneak his way in. He talked to a sergeant, but was told that he was not old enough. A week later, he went back to the same sergeant but told him that he was 21 instead. Certain branches of the army did not want him because of certain qualities he possessed. He ended up going to Colorado and was enlisted to the regular Army and went into the ambulances corp. -
World War 1 Tanks
The first time tanks were brought into war on October 23, 1917. They were secretly developed by the British. Their top speed at the time was only 3 mph. Which is rather slow but it was an made a big impact still. This invention helped defeat many challenges. It gave protection and helped end trench warfare. -
Barbed Wire
In 1874, a man named Joseph Glidden was a cattleman of Illinois. He is credited to be the first person to invented barbed wire. What was originally made to prevent live-stock from escaping, was turned into a tactic that was used in WW1. In the early 1900s, barbed wire was now being produced in large quantities. It appeared on both sides of No-Man's Land. -
End of WW1
At last the war had ended after Germany had surrendered and signed an armistice, which is an agreement for peace. Germany surrendered due to facing economic exhaustion and starvation, as well as the arrival of 2 million American troops. The war had effected so many lives, killing up to 15-19 million people by the end of it. Not to mention those who were injured. -
Frank W. Buckles, Meeting Pershing
On September 22, 1919, Frank was promoted to corporal. After that in November of the same year, he received an honorable discharge. After that, he visited the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, a place dedicated to the Americans who died in WW1. There he met General Pershing, the commander of the United States forces in France during the war. -
Frank W. Buckles, Rescued from Japanese Prison Camp
The Japanese occupied Manila after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Frank was sent on business there. He was soon imprisoned by them. He lost more than 50 pounds, and was held there for 3.5 years in the prison camp. He was finally liberated by an American airborne unit on February 23rd of 1945. -
Frank W. Buckles, WW1 veteran, recognized by the President of France
Jacques Chirac, the President of France, recognized the WW1 veterans. This place in 1999. Not only did he recognize the French, but he also recognized the Americans. Frank, a veteran, was honored. A picture was taken of Frank receiving the Legion of Honor. -
Frank W. Buckles Death
Frank was born on February 1st, of 1901. He was a very well known and respected man. At 11 he died on February 27th, of 2011. He was special for many reasons. Even though his age was remarkable, there was something else about Frank that made him an important person to the United State. Not only is he recognized as a veteran, but he was the longest known living WW1 veteran.
