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Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated
Franz Ferdinand, the Archduke of Austria- Hungary up until 1914, was assassinated along with his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg. A Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip was responsible for the assassination in Sarajevo. The 19-year-old managed to shoot both Franz and Sophie during their visit to inspect the imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Franz Ferdinand being such an important name, the assassination cause conflict between both countries. -
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World War One
Most significant events in ww1 with some events from the veteran James Frederick Campbell. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
After the assassination of Ferdinand, Austria sent Serbia a telegram, declaring war. The assassination triggered Austria-Hungary but they didn't declare war right away. Serbia gave Austria ten demands, trying to avoid fighting. One of the demands was to let Austria-Hungary take over the investigation and prosecute whoever was responsible, but Serbia declined and Austria-Hungary to declared war.
Primary.SourceVisual:https://www.firstworldwar.com/source/autrohungariandeclarationofwar_serbia.htm -
Germany invades Belgium
Very shortly after Germany declared war on France, Germany asked Belgium if they could go through their small country, in order to get to France. Belgium at the time was neutral and refused to let the German Army pass. Germany immediately responded by a big invasion on Belgium. The plan was to shock citizens to surrender, then quickly enter France. -
Lusitania sinks
The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner that was sunken by a German U-boat. The ship was returning from New York back to Great Britain with 1,959 passengers (100+ Americans). The Lusitania entered war zones and Germany believed the ship to be carrying supplies to benefit Great Britain. Using their U-boats, Germany shot down the ship, which angered some countries. Later Germans limited submarines hoping to keep the US out of the war.
Valuable.Website:http://www.rmslusitania.info/primary-docs/ -
British use tanks
The British had 36 tanks secretly shipped to the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. This was the debut of tanks in WW1. But it being the first time tanks were being used they weren't too effective. Although the British were inexperienced and new with tanks, they still managed a victory at the battle of Flers-Courcelette. -
Wilson for war
President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for permission to declare war. Wilson lead the largest war preparation in the United States history in order to protect democracy. He began the Selective Service Act, seeing that using only volunteers was not going to work. To get the support and understanding of the citizens he then began programs in order to prepare and inform the public. -
US enters war
On this day President Wilson signs the declaration, declaring war. Despite the United States' efforts to keep neutrality, it was becoming harder and harder. Especially after Germany sunk ship with Americans in it and not taking responsibility. It didn't take much convincing for Congress or much time till the first troops were sent to Europe.
Primary Source Valuable Website:
https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/wwone/ -
Chateau-Thierry
The battle of Chateau-Thierry wasn't the first battle for the United States, but it was still significant. This battle would be their second battle and victory with the support of French soldiers as they forced the Germans back across the river. This battle would soon turn into a larger battle; Battle of Belleau Wood. In the Battle of Belleau Wood, Germany got the furthest to breaking the Allied lines(Paris). -
James Frederick Campbell's trench Complications
In World War One there Trench Warfare was used. It was a good idea because you were practically invisible to the other, but it did come with many problems. For example, it was uncomfortable, dirty, and cramped. James Frederick Campbell on this day fell backward into the muddy trench, making him slip and let go of his gun. This trench was a major saftey hazard. This event isn't huge, but it goes to show how easy it was fir something to go wrong. -
Hemorrhage of Lungs
Sickness during this time was pretty common. James had a hemorrhage of lungs in France. He bled for nearly eleven hours. Hemorrhage is caused by damage to the small blood vessels that go to lungs and treatment must be done carefully and for a while. It's a big deal, but James fought through it and was back on the front in about two weeks. -
Armistice Day
Fighting ends on the Western Front when Germany signs the armistice. It became effective at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day on the eleventh month. Germany was barely standing so they easily agreed to participate in the armistice. Germany was left defeated and citizens in the US were overjoyed and celebrated. -
Last Shots
This was the day that fighting ended on the Western Front. Germany signed the Armistice and the war was practically over. James wrote that on this day he heard the last shots fired at the Sedan front. The next day he proceeded to evacuate Argonne to France. -
Recognition
James, like many other soldiers, showed time after time bravery. Many don't get to live to get recognized for their bravery, fortunately, James did. On this day James was sighted for bravery by his general, Lassimo Henri Petain. Of course he desvered it even after his sickness that he got through. -
James' march
James along with many, many soilders got to march in front of some important people. He marched before President Wilson, Gen. John Pershing, King and QUeen and Crown Prince of England in Montibouer, Germany. He then left Germany, went to France, and sailed home. -
Treaty of Versailles
The fighting ended when the Armistice was signed, but the war officially ended when terms were set and signed on the Treaty of Versailles. Unfortunately for Germany, the treaty hurt them enormously. All fault was put on them, they lost territory, their military was bad, etc. Germany was in major debt after the war and was left completely defeated. The Treaty sparked the start of World War two.
Primary Source Visual:
https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/versailles.html
