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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
While in Bosina/ Herzgovina, The archduke and his wife were both killed by a member of Young Bosina, a revolutionary group. This led into the July Crisis, which in turn led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia. In the US, the news was widespread, and caused fear within the peoples. -
The Invasion of Belgium
The July Crisis ends with Germany invading Belgium to get into France. this causes Britain to declare war on Germany, as the invasion was in violation of Belgian neutrality. America then declares neutrality, and would remain impartial to all countries involved. -
The sinking of the RMS Lusitania
The German U-Boat U-20 sank the ship Lusitania, which was only a luxury liner. this kills 1,195 people (about 2/3s of the people onboard) , including 123 Americas onboard. This causes America outraged, but Germany did say they warned all ships in the area. -
The reelection of Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson is re-elected as President. -
The Zimmermann Telegram
British naval intelligence decoded a telegram from the Germans, where they stated that if Mexico supported Germany in the war, in turn Germany would help Mexico regain territory lost to the states in the Mexican-American War. They kept the telegram to themselves until Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in February which then gave the US the fuel to join the war. -
The United States joins the War
Following Germanys submarine warfare and the Zimmermann telegram, along with the negative shift public opinion had taken on to the Germans, the US joins the war -
U.S troops start to land
the first 14,000 U.S. troops land in France, in a location kept secret from in fear of German subs. -
The Sedition Act is Passed
The sedition act made it illegal to criticize the government, military, or flag. It also prevented open support for the enemy. It was seen as braking the first amendment, and was therefore repealed in 1920 -
The end of an era
The Armistice of November 11th, 1918 was signed, which ended the fighting. -
The Treaty of Versailles
the signing of this treaty offically ended World War 1, on the same day that the Archduke was killed 5 year earlier.