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Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
This event created palpable tension which led to the declaration of war between Austria and Serbia and the beginning of world war 1. This affected the United States because this war would later include them and this was the catalyst for everything to come. -
The U.S. proclaims neutrality in the escalating war
President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation of neutrality, stating that the United States would preserve its neutrality and enforce its laws and treaties. This was partially in response to King George V declaring war on Germany. -
the German U-boat U-20 torpedoed and sank the British luxury cruise liner RMS Lusitania
This resulted in the killing 1,195 of the 1,959 people on board, including 123 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania was a turning point in modern warfare. The attack displayed the new threat of sneak attacks with submarines, and the wide coverage in newspapers influenced how Americans viewed world events. -
Democrat presidential candidate Woodrow Wilson wins the 1916 presidential election
Democratic U.S. President Woodrow Wilson narrowly defeated Republican Charles E. Hughes in the U.S. presidential election. He campaigned on anti war slogans and sentiments. -
Zimmerman telegram exposed
British naval intelligence intercepted and decoded a telegram sent by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Ambassador in Mexico City. The telegram promised Mexico that Germany would help them regain territory lost to the United States after the Mexican-American War in exchange for Mexico's support in World War I. This caused the U.S. to begin being drawn into the war. -
U.S. declares war
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Declaration of War, ending the United States' neutrality in World War I and officially entering the war on the side of the Allied Powers. -
The U.S. sends the first troops to Europe
the first 14,000 U.S. infantry troops arrived in France at the port of Saint Nazaire. The landing site was kept a secret to avoid German submarines. -
Woodrow Wilson signs the sedition act
The act expanded the Espionage Act to criminalize speech and expression that criticized the government or war effort, or that interfered with the sale of government bonds. The Sedition Act set a precedent for the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s, and attempted to discredit movements for civil rights, peace, and women's rights. -
Fighting for WWI officially ceases
After more than four years of horrific fighting and the loss of millions of lives, the guns on the Western Front fell silent. Although fighting continued elsewhere, the armistice between Germany and the Allies was the first step to ending World War I. -
Treaty of Versailles signed
The Versailles Peace Treaty, signed on June 28, 1919, officially ended World War I. Although this established peace it set up reparations for Germany that many saw as unfair.