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Assassination of King Franz starts WWI
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary is assassinated by a Serbian terrorist, starting the war. Gavrilo Princip, the young Serbian, shot him from blank range on their car ride. He also accidentally shot Ferdinand’s wife Sophie who later died. Princip was given a 20 year sentence because he was too young for to death penalty but, died at 23 from tuberculosis. With tensions high, Austria-Hungary gained support from Germany to attack Serbia while in return Serbia got help from the Allies. -
Germans use gas warfare on the Allies in the Second Battle of Ypres
The Germans effectively used the gas on the Allies resulting in their panic and setting the precedent of chemical warfare for WWI. 150 tons of lethal chlorine gas were used against 2 French colonial divisions in the battle. The use of the gas surprised the Allies, breaching their lines. After the battle, many of the nations developed more chemical weapons and created their own gas masks.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-introduce-poison-gas -
German U-Boats torpedoed The Lusitania
The Lusitania was a boat created in 1903 built to be the fastest liner afloat averaging the speed of “25 knots”. The British subsidized its construction because they wanted to use it for war if the time ever came. The ship was sunk by German U-Boats drowning 1,198 people including 124 U.S. Americans. The American public was outraged by this and helped sway their opinion on joining the war. It was later found out that America was aiding the Allies by smuggling in supplies. -
The Allies win the Battle of Somme
The Allies won one of the deadliest and largest battles of WWI with over 1.5 million casualties. The British lead the offensive role in battle resulting in a lot more casualties. British leader, Douglas Haig, was criticized for making the battle last to winter. The victory was strategically important because it forced the Germans to withdraw 40 miles. -
Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare
Germany reinstates their unrestricted policy to gain an edge on the war. Many leaders argued that using the U-boat was essential in their strategy to winning the war. German Bethmann Hollweg announced that they would resume the day before. Germany previously suspended its submarine police due to pressure from the US and neutral countries. -
U.S. alerted about Zimmerman telegraph
The British intelligence service intercepted a telegram from Germany to Mexico. The Zimmerman Telegram asked Mexico to start a war with the U.S. and in return receive land back from the U.S. Mexico declined the offer because they didn’t think it was worth it. The British informed the U.S. about it and it angered the them being a main reason for America to enter the war. -
The US declares war on Germany
President Wilson signs a declaration of war on Germany getting an overwhelming majority from the senate. His main reasons for starting it were Germany’s violation of suspending submarine warfare in the North Atlantic and trying to start a war between Mexico and the U.S. The Zimmerman Telegraph pushed the public opinion to the edge wanting them to start the war. Many historians believe that without the help of the U.S. Germany could've won the war. -
U.S. Congress passes the Selective Service Act
The U.S. only had about 100,000 current volunteers in the army. So, President Woodrow Wilson enacted the Selective Service Act or the Draft. The act required all men ages 21 to 31 to register to be part of the war effort. Over 9 million men were drafted with over 4.7 million Americans serving in the actual war.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-congress-passes-selective-service-act -
Richard Bliss Leith arrives in Washington D.C.
Upon arriving Leith had to get a haircut at the barbershop. He and 20 other people were called to D.C. to get their equipment and instructions to do. Later, they had to get their vaccines for smallpox and typhoid. In three weeks, they will sail to France to be stationed and get their pay through the British Army. -
Richard Bliss Leith reaches Europe.
Mr. Leith was an American physician that joined the British Expeditionary Force to help in the war. He arrived in France sometime in October 1917. He served as a doctor and was well educated and better off than others. Leith was optimistic in the war and believed that the war would end before Spring.
http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.01745/ -
Richard Bliss Leith letters his parents about his experience in the war
Leith and his unit sleep with a Flemish peasant family near Belgium. The village is many miles away from the front lines and it is very peaceful in their area. The meals are in another house and they have to march all the time. All the soldiers had to march with their helmet, gas mask, and shaving outfit. -
Richard Bliss Leith recommends a new treatment for trench foot.
When the division comes back from the front line, the usual oil treatments will be discontinued. The French Preventive method will be used. Information on the procedure will be found in the room of the unit or at the Field Ambulance. To treat trench foot you will need Potash Soap, Sodium Borate, Talc Powder, and Camphor. -
President Wilson outlines his 14 Points treaty
The 14 Points were a statement that were used to negotiate world peace after the war. Before this President Wilson created a team to analyze economic, social, and political facts for possible discussion during the peace conference. Wilson addressed things like stopping secret treaties, freedom of the seas, world peace and more. Ultimately the 14 points were not really implemented as nations wanted to punish Germany more and the U.S. didn’t want to be part of the League of Nations. -
The Spanish Flu is found at Camp Funston Kansas
The Spanish Flu was an incredibly dangerous illness that spread in WWI, rivaling the deaths from the actual war. Reports from the Fort were believed to be the first cases of the Flu. As the Flu spread and more soldiers traveling to the front lines it infected more people internationally. This would last past the end the war and claim more victims. The Flu would eventually kill about 675,000 Americans and 20+ million people in the world. -
The Germans launch the Spring Offensive
The Spring Offensive was the Germans biggest push to win the war. Starting as an early success, the Germans gained a lot of ground and caught the Allies retreating. However, as they gained more ground, their supplies couldn’t keep up with their progress and this would lead to their downfall. The Germans lost many men with their lack of supplies and Allied reinforcements came. The Germans ended up with a heavy loss and having over 1.5 million casualties on both sides. -
The Hundred Days Offensive begins
The Hundred days offensive were a series of battles that happened near the end of the war. During these battles there were over 1.8 million casualties on both sides. The Germans lost about 700,000 men while the allies lost over a million, about 100,000 of those men were Americans. This victory of the Allies basically finished off the Germans leading them to having to sign a peace treaty.
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpwwi2.htm -
Richard Bliss Leith writes to his father about things he does now a days
Leith talks about how they are not thinking of sending medical officers home yet. Hospitals are full of prisoners now with many being Russian and Italian as well. Things are easy so far and Leith gets all his work done and in the afternoons he studies French. Many soldiers try to claim pensions and try to claim from numerous possible disabilities. He also tells his father to invest in the clothing business when the soldiers start to come home from the war. -
Richard Bliss Leith sends a letter to his parents on how Christmas was like
Leith was recalled to No. 5 General Hospital to treat some patients. Christmas day was nice and it didn’t rain that day. There were many Prisoners of War there from all nations but, everyone still ate a lot of food regardless of their position. Hospital patients were given many gifts like chocolate and even tobacco cigarettes. The mood was nice and it was a happy day in a war with many tragedies. -
Richard Bliss Leith tells his parents that he is coming back soon
He starts off saying how that his parents received the money he sent. Leith tells them of how he got promoted to Captain before he leaves for America. At this point of time there only 5 Americans in his unit and a few of them may also receive a promotion as well. Richard won’t be able to go home for awhile because they have to wait for the boat. This is Mr. Leith's last letter before coming home. -
Germany and Allies sign the Treaty of Versailles
Germany agrees to sign with the Allies ending WWI. The treaty contained 15 parts and 440 articles. There were many parts of the treaty, from creating the League of Nations, gave Germany new boundaries, made a demilitarized zone, stripping Germany of its colonies, reducing their armed forces, established their liability for reparations and many other financial obligations on Germany. This crippled Germany, sending them into a depression that would eventually lead to the rise of Hitler and WWII.
