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Archduke is Assassinated
Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo. -
Germany Declares War
Germany declares war on neutral Belgium and invades in a right flanking move designed to defeat France quickly. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany. -
Germany and Subs
Germany declares a submarine blockade of Great Britain. Any ship approaching England is considered a legitimate target -
Cause of America Joinging
U-boat sinks the Lusitania. 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans die. -
Wilson warns Germany
US President Wilson publicly warns Germany not to continue unrestricted submarine warfare policies -
New advancements and deaths
The Battle of the Somme results in an estimated one million casualties and no breakthrough for the Allies. British introduce the tank, an effective weapon but far to few to make much of a difference. -
Zimmerman Telagraph
Reich Foreign Secretary Zimmermann's telegram to Mexico urging her entry into war against the United States is discovered and translated by the British. -
America and declaration of war.
President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war with Imperial Germany. (Link goes to PBS: American Experience) -
The 14 points
President Woodrow Wilson declares his 14 points as the path to permanent world peace. -
End of the war.
At eleven o'clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the war ends as Germany and Allies sign an Armistice.
