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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
This assassination sparked World War 1 because Austria-Hungary held Serbia accountable for killing Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Austria-Hungary eventually declared war on Serbia.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/archduke-ferdinand-assassinated -
Schlieffen Plan
Germany's quick strike through Belgium to Paris, France so Germany wouldn't get stuck in a two-front war.
https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/togoland-first-world-war/ -
World War
World War 1 begins when Germany invades Belgium. This is important because it is the first battle of World War 1. -
Britain Joins the War
Britain declared to protect Belgium's borders but failed when Germany came through Belgium to get to France so Great Britain joined World War 1 and declared war on Germany. -
Invasion of Africa
Germany has already taken multiple parts of Africa, so Britain plans to invade Togoland. Togoland was the site of a German wireless station. Germany ends up surrendering Togoland. This is the location of the first shots fired in World War 1.
https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/togoland-first-world-war/ -
Battle of Mons
First British battle in France. Britain is defeated and outnumbered by Germans and have to retreat. Britain starts to recruit a large army for the first time.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Mons-1918 -
Battle of Marne
Marked the beginning of trench warfare. This is important because it stopped moving warfare and made it stationary. -
Indian Army Joins the war
1.5 million Indians join allied forces to fight. This is important because for a long time we had conflicts with Native Americans and now they joined our side. -
Tsingtao
Japanese attack Tsingtao, a German colony in China. This is important because later in the war Japan will attack many German attacks. -
Gas is used in war
German's use chlorine gas and fire it at allied forces, making this the first time that large amounts of gas were used in a battle. -
Gallipoli Campaign
Allied troops failed to gain the Gallipoli peninsula and as a result, lost much of the New Zeland army. This is important because it shows that the allied troops didn't win every battle in WWII. -
Lusitania Sinking
First ship sunk by German U-boats during the war and the first American casualties or deaths. -
Conscription in Britain
Most of Britains troops had suffered heavy losses. The conscription was a sign up of men ages 18 to 41 for reinforcements. Many couldn't sign up however because they had important jobs. In total only 73,000 men signed up between New Zeland, Britain, and America. This was important in the war because it shows how much of a struggle it was for the allied troops to get soldiers because of how deadly the war was. -
Battle of Verdun
Germany planned an offensive attack on French forts in Verdun. In hopes that the French would store many supplies here and essentially be led to annihilation. The fighting continues for nine months and eventually, Germany has failed. This is important because it showed the French that they had a great deal of sacrifice for their country. -
Battle of Jutland
Germany leaves its coast and plans an attack for Britain. British meets the German fleet for one of the biggest Naval battles of World War I. Britain fails to destroy all of Germany's fleet, but German's retreat anyways. This is important because after this battle German's relied mainly on U-boats for battle. -
America Enters the War
The Zimmerman telegram is a famous telegram in which Germany sent a message to Mexico stating that they were going to attack the U.S. Since the beginning of the war, the United States had declared neutrality. Britain had intercepted the telegram and sent it to the United States. As a result of the telegram, the United States joined World War I. This is important because it is the reason why the United States joined the war. -
Revolution in Russia
Russia starts to have an uprising in 1917. A power seizes led by Lenin go under the slogan of "peace, bread, land." As a result of this, Russia signs an armistice in December and leaves the war. This is important because Russia left World War I. -
Hundred Days Offense
The French are supported by 85,000 American troops. Germany attacks them on the Marne and forces the allied troops back. The allies launch a surprise attack on Germany in Amiens and push them farther east. This is a turning point in the war where allied troops start to close in on Germany. -
Germany's Spring Offense
Without Russia in the war, Germany mounts major offensive attacks on France. Germany manages to push the allied troops back 40 miles. Germany is struggling to keep them pushed back though as more American troops are pouring in. This is important because this is the first time in the war that we see a large number of Americans fighting. -
Armistice
Allied armies are able to invade Germany. Germany agrees to withdraw their forces in France. The fighting ceases and an Armistice is signed in 1919. This is important because it is the end to fighting.
