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The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and His Wife Sophie
They visited the Bosnian capital. As they were driving through the city, Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, stepped from the crowd and shot them both. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
Germany was obligated by treaty of Austria-Hungary. -
Germany Declares War on France
After Germany invaded Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary, beginning The Great War. -
Germany Invades Belgium
Following a strategy known as the Schlieffen Plan. It called for a holding action against Russia, combined with a quick drive through Belgium to Paris. -
German U-Boat Response
A U-Boat sinks the Lusitania off the southern coast of Ireland. -
The First Battle of the Somme
Lasted until mid-November. The British suffered 60,000 casualties on the first day. Final casualties totaled about 1.2 million. -
German Provocation
U-boats would sink all ships in British waters, hostile or neutral on sight. -
Selective Service Act
Required men to register with the government in order to be randomly selected for military service. -
Austria-Hungary Surrendered to the Allies
That same day, German sailors mutinied against government authority. -
The Collapse Of Germany
Germany agreed to cease-fire and signed the armistice, or truce, that ended the war.
