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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
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On June 28, Archduke Franz Ferdinand traveled to Sarajevo with his wife. A 19-year-old Serbian Nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, shot and killed both the archduke and his wife. After that, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia with Germany's support. After only a couple of days, Germany declared war on Russia. Franz Ferdinand's assassination is a significant event because it kickstarted World War I. -
Austria Declares War on Serbia
After the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, Austria gave Serbia a list of demands to avoid war. The demands included an end to all anti-Austrian agitation, the punishment of any Serbian official involved in the murder plot, and the allowance of Austria to join the investigation. Serbia agreed to some, but not all which caused Austria to declare war on Serbia. This event marked the start of World War I, with the first two countries getting involved. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
After Austria declared war on Serbia, Serbia reached out to its ally, Russia. Russia then began to mobilize its army. Since Germany promised Austria unconditional support, Germany declared war on Russia. This event marked two more countries getting involved in the war. -
Germany Declares War on France
After Germany declared war on Russia, Russia appealed to its ally, France. Germany demanded that France stay out of the conflict, but France refused. Germany then declared war on France. This event is significant because it showed how easily countries at the time would declare war, either due to alliances or disagreements. -
Britain Declares War on Germany
Britain and a few other European powers signed a treaty guaranteeing Belgian neutrality. Germany invaded Belgium on August 3, 1914. Outraged by Germany's defiance of Belgian neutrality, Britain declared war on Germany the next day. This event signified the escalation of countries entering the war. -
Japan Declares War on Germany
Japan sent Germany an ultimatum, demanding the removal of all German ships from Japanese and Chinese waters and to surrender Tsingtao, Germany's largest overseas naval base. Germany didn't respond to the ultimatum, so Japan declared war on August 23, 1914. This event marked yet another country getting involved in the war. -
Trench Warfare Begins
Trench warfare was a tactic used Eastern and Western fronts during the war. Both sides dug deep trenches which made it almost impossible for either side to cross the space between. By the end of the war, almost 1547 miles of trenches were built. The use of trenches prevented both sides from making any progress at the fronts. -
Second Battle of Ypres
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Poison gas was used for the first time in this battle. The Germans fired the chlorine gas, killing many British soldiers Others fled, choking on the gas. A dangerous gap was opened in the Allied line, but the Germans were hesitant to move toward the gas cloud. The hole was then filled by Canadian and British troops. This event signified the first use of poisonous gas during warfare. -
The Sinking of the Lusitania
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A German U-boat torpedoed the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915. The Lusitania was a British ship traveling from New York to Liverpool. There were 1,900 passengers. 1,100 of the passengers were killed, including 120 Americans. Though the US wouldn't enter the war for two more years, the sinking of the Lusitania helped turn public opinion against Germany. -
The First Tanks are Used
The first tanks were used during World War I at the battle at Delville Wood. The tanks were used to break through barbed wire and clearing paths for soldiers. Tanks were not an extremely useful weapon, but the introduction of them into the war set the stage for modern-day tanks. -
Zimmerman Telegram
British codebreakers intercepted the Zimmerman telegram intended for the Germany ambassador for Mexico. This telegram intended to form a secret alliance in which Germany would provide military and financial support for a Mexican attack on the United States. This telegram along with German attacks on U.S. boats prompted President Wilson to ask congress to declare war against Germany and the central powers. -
The February Revolution
The February Revolution began on March 3, 1917. Demonstrators filled the streets of Petrograd, Russia, supported by striking industrial workers. The protestors clashed with the Petrograd army, who fired on some protestors. This event caused Czar Nicholas to abdicate. This allowed for a provisional government to be set up. Alexander Kerensky continued Russia's involvement in the war, though it was very unpopular. -
The United States Declares War on Germany
President Woodrow Wilson went before a joint congress to request a declaration of war against Germany on April 2, 1917. Wilson claimed Germany's pledge of unrestricted submarine warfare and its enticement of Mexico into an alliance against the United States were reasons for a declaration of war. The United State's entry reinforced the strength of the Allied naval blockade of Germany and shifted the power to the Allies, helping them win. -
Selective Service Act Passed
President Wilson signed the Selective Service Act which brought the draft, originally introduced during the Civil War, back with new conditions. The Selective Service System initially targeted male citizens 21-30 years old but was later expanded to include men 18-45 years old. This event is significant because it updated the draft, which would eventually cause turmoil during the Vietnam War. -
Armistice Signed with Turkey
The Armistice of Mudros was signed between Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire. This treaty marked the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in WWI. The Ottomans surrendered their remaining garrisons and the Allies were now able to occupy the Straits of Dardanelles and the Bosporus. The Allies were also able to seize any strategic points in case of a threat to Allied security. -
The Bolshevik Revolution
The Bolshevik Revolution occurred on November 6 and 7. Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, occupied several government buildings in Petrograd. They formed a new government with Lenin as the dictator of the world's first communist state. This event led to a Russian Civil War between the Red and White armies. The Red Army fought for Lenin and the White Army represented a large group of loosely allied forces. These revolutions caused Russia to sign a treaty with Germany in 1918. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Signed
On March 3, 1918, Russia signed a treaty with the central powers which ended their involvement in World War I. By the terms of this treaty, Russia recognized the independence of Ukraine and Finland, as well as giving up Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia to Germany. Lenin was bitter over the loss of over one million square miles of land. This event marked Russia's exit from World War I. -
German Kaiser Abdicated
Popular unrest in Germany and naval mutiny led the civilian leaders to believe that the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II, needed to abdicate to keep order. Before Wilhelm II even consented to it, his abdication was announced on November 11, 1918. Wilhelm II was blamed by many for Germany's defeat in the war and was despised by Hitler. Wilhelm II was shocked by Nazi tactics and claimed that for the first time he was ashamed to be German. -
Armistice Signed
By November 1918, both the central and allied powers had suffered heavy losses. The Germans were outmatched by the United States ability to send more troops into combat. On November 11, the armistice was signed. Germany agreed to pull their troops out of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg and give up their arsenal as well as trucks and wagons. This armistice signified the start of the end of World War I. -
Treaty of Versailles Signed
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed by the allied and central powers at the end of World War I. This treaty reassigned German boundaries and assigned liability and reparations, created the League of Nations, reduced Germany's armed forces. Germany had little say in this treaty, and the treaty did not go smoothly as different allied powers had different agendas. This treaty marked the official end of World War I.
