WW1 Timeline

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Jun 28, 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Gavrillo Pricip.

Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

Emperor Franz Joseph, the uncle of Franz Ferdinand declared war on Serbia because Franz and his wife were assassinated.

Beginning of WW1

Jul 28, 1914

Austria Hungary blames Serbia for the assassination of Archduke Franz so they declare war on Serbia.
Russia declares war on Austria Hungary because they agreed to fight with Serbia if they were attacked.

Russia Mobilizes Armed Forces

Jul 31, 1914

Russia is an ally of Serbia

Germany Declares War on Russia

Aug 1, 1914

Russia supported Serbia.
Germany would support Austria Hungary if there was a Russian intervention, so they declare war on Russia.

Germany Declares war on France

Aug 3, 1914

2 days after declaring war on Russia, they declare war on France moving ahead with a long-held strategy, conceived by the former chief of staff of the German army, for a two-front war against France and Russia. Later on, France declares war on Germany, readying its troops.

Britain Declares War on Germany

Aug 4, 1914

Britain declared war on Germany because Belgium's ports were close to the British coast and German control of Belgium would have been seen as a serious threat to Britain. Britain wouldn't forget what happened 4 August 1914, when Germany attacked France through Belgium.

Austria-Hungary Declares War on Russia

Aug 6, 1914

Lusitania is taken down by Germany

May 7, 1915

Germany sank a British passenger ship. There were also Americans on board. 1200 people were killed. There were 128 Americans. Many were angered and wanted war with Germany.

Germany ends policy of sinking ships by sinking without warning

Aug 30, 1915

This was the German's way of responding to United State's anger.

"Peace Ship"

Dec 4, 1915

Henry Ford sets out a peace ship to try and put an end to WW1.

Woodrow Wilson Demands

Apr 19, 1916

Woodrow Wilson publicly demands that Germany stops unrestricted Submarine Warfare

"He Kept Us Out of War"

Nov 6, 1916

Woodrow Wilson was re-elected into office.

Zimmerman Message

Jan 19, 1917

The United States intercepted a telegram from Germany to a German in Mexico. THe message was trying to get Mexico to join the war. They were promised their land back that they had lost in a war with America if they joined.

Germany Continues Submarine Warfare

Feb 1, 1917

"The world must be made safe for democracy"

Apr 2, 1917

President Woodrow makes a speech to congress when attempting to declare war on Germany.

United States Declares War on the Central Powers

Apr 6, 1917