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Ferdinand Assassination
Archduke Ferdinand Franz and his wife were assassinated while they were rolling down the road in an open car. When this happened, Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia. -
Austria-Hungary Declares war on Serbia
On June 28, 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in Sarjevo. This resulted in Austria- Hungary declaring war on Serbia, effectively beginning WWI. -
The War begins
After Austria- Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia, Serbia's protector, prepared for war. Germany sided with Austria-Hungary, and declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914. One day later, Germany invaded Belgium, which was protected by Great Britain. When this occurred Great Britain declared war on Germany. -
First use of Poison Gas as a Weapon
The Germans used poison gas against the Allies in April, 1914. This caused the Allies' soldiers to get seriously injured, or killed. Many soldiers had been seen running blindly in the gas and dropping to the ground dead. -
Wilson Reelected; Pledged American Neutrality
After being reelected, President Wilson pledged American Neutrality.Lots of people supported this. These views were expressed in a New York newspaper. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The sinking of the Lusitania began after it was torpedoed by German U-Boats. 1,900 crew members and passengers were injured, and 1,100 perished. -
U.S. Declares War
When President Wilson decided that America could not remain neutral, they entered WWI. In April, 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany -
Zimmermann Note
A secret telegram to Mexico was sent by Arthur Zimmermann asking if Mexico would join Germany to fight against America.This angered Americans and set an anti-German feeling in the states. -
Bolsheviks led by Lenin Overthrow Russian Government.
In November 1917, riots began to break out over the new Russian government's handling of the war. This government was not able to assess the serious problems in Russia, such as the scarcity of food. -
War Ends
When WWI began to end, Germany and its allies faced defeat in many different places. Germany realized that its hopes of winning the war were gone, and seeked an armistice. Meanwhile the German Homefront was suffering food shortage. -
Treaty of Versailles
WWI officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. This was negotiated among the Allies with little participation from Germany.
