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Period: to
WWI
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Archduke Assassination
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian empire and his wife are assassinated. They are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a 19 year old member of the Black Hand. The government are suspicious of Serbia. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. On the same day, Russia sends mobilized troops to the Austrian border. From here, the war spreads very fast. -
Battles of the Marne
Once Germany was advancing rapidly through Belgium, the French started to worry. The French eventually halted the Germans War was settled. By the end of May 1918, the Germans had returned back to Marne. The continuous battle for four years had resulted in many casualties on each side, though the armies had ended right where they started and had gotten no where. -
Christmas Truce
On Christmas in 1914, a truce was called from both sides after hearing Christmas carols being sung across no man's land. The men got out of the trenches to celebrate. They sang together and exchanged greetings -
German's Gas Fire
On April 22, 1915, the very first large amounts of gas are used in battle. The German's fire chlorine at the allied powers. More than 10,000 allied troops are affected. -
Battle of Verdun
On February 21,1916, the ten month ordeal between the Germans and the French had started. Both sides suffered greatly and with about 500,000 casualties on each side. By November of 1916, Forts Vaux, Thiaumont, and Douaumont were reclaimed by France. By December, the French had returned to their original positions the had been in during Febuary. -
US Joins War
On April 6, 1917, the US joins its allies in fighting against the central powers. Although most of the US citizens wanted to remain neutral, the states join in with Britain, France, and Russia. America's major general John J. Pershing, sends his troops to fight on France's ground. -
The Battle of Cambrai
On November 20, 1917, the British decide to release their secret weapon against the Germans, the tanks. The British send all 476 tanks to the German's front line and plow through even the most impregnable lines. The tanks even made it through Hindenburg line about 4 or 5 miles down. -
Ending of WWI
On November 11, 1918, the first World War had finally ended. The treaty signed to end the war was the Treaty of Versailles. Although this treaty ended the conflict, it can also be traced to later problems in Europe including punitive terms on Germany.
