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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and wife
Archduke Franz Ferdinand traveled to Sarajevo with his wife to inspect the imperial armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in former Ottoman territories which had been annexed by Austrian-Hungary. The Archduke and his wife were touring the city when Serbian Nationalist, Gravrilo Princip, shot the Archduke and his wife as they passed by in thier open top car. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
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Germany declares war on Russia
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Germany declares war on France
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Germany invades Belgium
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Great Britain declares war on Germany
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Battle of Marne
Once German forces over powered Belgium, Germany advanced towards France. The battle of Marne took place in the north and east of Paris. The French were alerted to advance through reconnaissance and radio intercepts. French troops rushed to the front lines in Paris taxis and buses. Both sides began a series of flanking, leaving a system of trenches, this was known as "the race to the sea". The battle was a French victory. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner in route from New York to Liver Pool when it was sank by a German Uboat. Over a thousand people died, 128 of those people were Americans. This angered the Americans, this was one of the major pushes for America to join the war. And two years later, it did. -
Battle of Verdun
The German forces quikly claimed Fort Doumont and Fort Vaux. The French fought the Germans for the fortress complex around Verdun, this battle was one of the deadliest. Over 1,200 guns had opened fire around a 8 mile perimeter, each side suffered caualties of over 600,0000. -
Sussex Pledge
On March 24, 1916, a German U-boat attacked the French passenger steamer, Sussex. Although the ship didn't sink, over 50 people were killed and many injured, including many Americans. This attack angered the Americans even more. President Woodrow Wilson demanded the Germans make a change. The Germans agreed to the Sussex pledge, which stated they would warn a neutral ship before attacking. -
Battle of Somme
The British and French formed a Franco-British offesive stride up the Somme river to flank the German army. The British attacked from the north of Somme, and the French attacked from the south of Somme. The goal for the French and British was to break through the German lines, they were able to gain little ground though. The outcome of the battle is indecisive becaouse of the high casulaties for both sides. -
Zimmermann Nite is Intercepted
British soldiers seized a message from German minister, Arthur Zimmermann. The note was for the gevernment of Mexico, in the message Zimmermann offered to form an alliance with Mexico if the United States joined the war. It made the Americans even more angery at the Germans becaue the Germans were telling Mexico to invade the United States. -
Russian Revolution Breaks Out
At the time, Russia government was a autocracy, meaning the Russian ruler had power with no limits. The people believed this was causing the government to be ineffective, and in an attempt to overthorw their ruler, the people revoldted. The poeple wanted a democracy, they wanted to have free votes for the new ruler and promised to keep fighting Germany, which gave the Allies hope. -
U.S. Declares War Against Germany
President Wilson decided because Germany had not been true to its pledge and violent submarine attaks, the U.S. had to enter the war. On April 2, he asked congress to delare war on Germany. April 6, congress agreed the U.S. had to defend its rights, and passed the declaration of war. -
Battle of Argonne Forest
The Germans were still shaken from the battle of Marne, making it the perfect opportunity for the Allies to attack. Americans would procced west of the Muse river and the French would procced west of the Argonne Forest. The American flank attacked the Germans and after 11 days the Germans retreated. The Americans had advanced 10 miles and the French advanced 20 miles, offically clearing the Agonne Forest of German army.
