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Assasination
On June 28th of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophia, were assasinated. A Serbian natiolanlist by the name of Nedjelko Cabrinovic shot both the Archduke and his wife at point-blank range. Many historians believe this event to be the event that started World War I. -
Militarism
Militarism was one of the many factors that lead to World War I. It lead to nations creating large militaries and improving on technology for militant use. Every nation wanted to show off their power, and were looking for some excuse to show the world their power. Militarism was also present during WW I, as seen with the U.S. While Germany was sinking boats and making threats, the U.S was preparing its military in case she entered the war. -
Nationalism
Nationalism is defined as the passionate love and loyality toward a nation, and this was one factor that started World War I. The assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was one extreme example of nationalism, and this event was a starting spark of the war.
Nationalism also encouraged militarism and imperialism, both of which were also factors to the start of WWI. Citizens became proud of their nation's military, while leaders wanted more land for their mighty empires. -
Alliances
By 1914, the major powers of Europe had been put into two major alliances - The Central Powers, and the Triple Entente. The Central Powers featured Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, while the Triple Entente contained Britain, France, and Russia, with the United States joining in 1917.
The alliances system was another factor of the start of WWI. Nations felt obligated to join the war if an ally of theirs did, and so soon many nations were pitted against each other in an epic war. -
Blank Check
On June 5th, 1914, the Austria-Hungary alliance receives a pledge from Kaiser Wilhelm II. In this pledge, the Kaiser declares that Germany will support the desicion of Austria-Hungary in her dealing with Serbia. This pledge of Wilhelm II is a great example of rising alliances in WWI, and how this eventually caused a massive war to be created. -
Beginning of World War I
On this day, the first World War broke out in Europe. While many believe it to have started from the assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, this simply awoke the growing tension between nations in Europe.
The creation of alliances helped to drag many nations into the conflict, created a global war. Britain's entry into the war in 1914 was caused by the Germany invasion of Belgium, a neutral country. With Britain in the war, the United States' attention was then brought to the war. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
On May 7th, 1915, a German U-boat sank the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner. Having many innocent civilians on board the RMS Lusitania, the British and U.S became outraged at Germany. However, the Germans claimed that the Lusitania was tranporting war munitions, thus it made itself a possible target for an attack. This event especially helped to pit the United States's public opinion against Germany. -
Germany's Submarines
On this day, the German's return to a policy of unrestricted submarine use. Previously, Germany had stopped this policy, due to international pressure from other nations. However, on January 31, 1917, Bethmann Hollweg requested that submarines be used without restraint, and the next day, the policy began to be used. -
Imperialism
Imperialism is when a large nation controls one or multiple colonies. This was one factor to the beginning of World War I. Britain controlled many territories in Africa, and wanted to gain more land and protect it. Meanwhile, France and Germany also controlled land in Africa, and wanted to gain more. This caused relations to be tensed with the European nations, and to also be an incentive for some nations to enter the war. If a nation was defeated, then maybe she would surrender her land? -
The Zimmermann Telegram
This day was the day the infamous Zimmermann Telegram was published on the front pages of U.S newspapers. The Zimmermann Telegram was a telegraph sent by German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann to Mexico. In it, Arthur proposed that an alliances between Germany and Mexico be made, just in case the U.S declared war on Germany. This telegraph absolutely enraged the United States, and was a huge factor in the United States's decision to join WWI. -
The United States enters WWI
On this day in history, the United States formally enters World War I. At first, President Woodrom Wilson took a neutral stance on the United States' involvment in WWI, but due to numerous British and American ships being sunk by the Germans and the Zimmermann note, the U.S became outraged at Germany.
The United States' involment in the war helped greatly. She created a major turning point for the Allies, helping them add more pressure onto Germany. -
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Effects of World War I
November 11, 1918, marks the day Germany formally surrendered, and all other nations involved in the war ceased to fight. This war caused an estimated 37-38 million casualities, with the allies taking 22 million, and the Central Powers with 15 million.
The nation of Austria-Hungary dissolved, and the new nations of Hungary, Austria, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia were created. The Ottoman Empire lost much territory, with only Turkey being their only land in Europe. -
The Treaty of Versailles
Signed on June 28th, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles brought closure to World War I. Negotiated with little say or participation from the Germans, the Treaty of Versailles claimed Germany to be the perpetrator of World War I. This caused the German people to feel huminliated, as well as outraged for losing her land and military. -
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Hitler's Rise to Power
On January 30th, 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler as chancellor of Germany. This was the first major step of Hitler's rise to power. Using his promise to save Germany from the poverty and hardships the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler and his party, the National Socialist German Workers' Party, became very popular with the desparing souls of Germany. -
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Dawes Plan and Young Plan
The Dawes Plan was a plan created to help Weimar Germany with their issues of hyperinflation and economy. The Young Plan, however, was created to reduce Weimar Germany's debts, and to help create a plan to repair their debts.
The Dawes Plan wad seen as a success, with the Reichsbank being restored and America's loan restarting the Germany economy. However, the Young Plan was unsuccessful, as German policians criticized it. In 1931-32, Germany finally decided to stop all reparations. -
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The Great Depression
October 24, 1923, marked the day when the stock market finally crashed, and investors lots much money in many shares. Ctizens became scared of spending money, so the economy plundged further. Due to a lack of money in the economy, many businesses began to lay of people, of which then created a large percentage of unemployed people.
All of these factors combined lead to a large period of poverty and hardships in American, often known as the Great Depression.
