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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Austria-Hungary's heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was shot in Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a Serbian terrorist group, known as the Black Hand, after taking a wrong turn during their ride to the hospital. -
War Declaration
A month after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declared officially declared war on Serbia. -
US Declared Neutrality
President Woodrow Wilson aimed to maintain U.S. neutrality by not supporting or helping either side which was ultimately unsuccessful after Germany instigates conflicts during WWI that triggered the nation. -
First Battle of the Marne
The Battle of Marne was the first battle of WWI. The battle was between French-British which occurred on Marne, France. Ultimately, the Germans gained victory. -
Germany Announce Unrestricted Warfare
A declaration of unrestricted warfare was issued by the Germany against all ships entering a war zone around Britain. This caused a later event, known as The Lusitania. -
The Lusitania
A German submarine sinks a British passenger liner (Lusitania) as it traveled from New York to England, killing a thousand unarmed passengers. -
Battle of Verdun
Battle of Verdun, between France and Germany, was known as the longest and bloodiest battle of WWI, lasting 10 months with the purpose of draining the enemy. -
Battle of Jutland
The Battle of Jutland between United Kingdom and Germany was the largest naval battle of WWI, ending with an inconclusive victory as both sides lost a significant amount of ships and men. -
Battle of Somme
In the Battle of Somme, the British army launched an attack in Somme river area to pull German troops away from Verdun which caused a huge crater and wiped away an entire community. -
Zimmerman Telegram
A coded message from a German secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, was sent to Mexico to ask them to join the war if the United States gets involved in return for money and land. Ultimately, Mexico declined. -
Germany Return To Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany announced to resume unrestricted submarine warfare against any ships that tried to reach Britain by sea with the hopes to starve Britain and that Britain would give up before the United States gets involved. -
United States Joins War
The events of the renewal of unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann telegram angered President Wilson and convinced him to officially declare war on Germany and its allies. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Signed
During the Revolution of Russia, the treaty of Brest-Litovsk officially pulled Russia out of WWI, known as USSR, after Vladimir Lenin led to communist Bolsheviks and the overthrowing of the Czar. Russia's absence contributed to no more Eastern Front battles. -
Armistice
An agreement between opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a period of time was made which put an official end to the fighting. -
Treaty of Versailles Signed
The Treaty of Versailles where negotiations between the allies without the Germans was signed and officially ended the war between Germany and the Allied Powers.