WWI Timeline

By poojabhanshali

  • Revolution overthrows Austria-Hungarian Emperor

    The Hungarian Revolution started out as a normal revolution but eventually became a full out War for independence from Austria. Battles broke out and Austria suffered many defeats and once it was on the brink of collapse they called to Russia for aid who squashed the Hungarian forces. Hungary was then put under martial law.

  • Germany officially unified

    Germany was successfully unified by Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck through Prussian power. Bismarck used his power over Germany and Prussia to create unrest between other nations and stir up the pot between European rivalries. In doing so he made Germany a world power while laying the groundwork for future World Wars.

  • France loses Alsace and Lorraine to Germany

    The loss of Alsace-Lorraine was a big contribution to the dislike of Germans in France which would come into play during WWI when France fought against Germany with Russia and England.

  • Triple Alliance formed

    This alliance was formed between Germany, and Austria-Hungary as a way to promise each other military aid in times of war. In response to this the Triple Entente was later formed by France, Russia and England.

  • Russo-Japanese War

    The Russo-Japanese War was fought between Russia and Japan where Japan forced Russia to abandon its expansionist policy in the far-east. Japan was victorious and Russia agreed to return southern Manchuria to China and Japan's power over Korea was acknowledged during the peace conference that was held after the war.

  • Triple Entente Alliance formed

    The Triple Entente is important because it was formed in reaction to the formation of the Triple Alliance, it was formed between Russia, France and Britain.

  • Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia

    While the Young Turks stormed the Ottoman Empire Government, the foreign minister of Austria-Hungary saw his chance to assert his dominance over the Balkans and took over Bosnia. The announcement of the annexation disrupted the already fragile balance of power in the Balkans and angered Serbia which would lead to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

  • Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assassinated

    A Serbian nationalist shot and killed Franz Ferdinand and his wife as they traveled through Sarajevo. Enraged, Austria-Hungary gained German support and declared war on Serbia, starting WWI.

  • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

    After Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was assassinated the current Archduke of Austria-Hungary waged war on Serbia, essentially starting the WWI

  • Ottoman-Germany alliance formed

    The Ottoman Empire agreed to an alliance with Germany because they believed they would win WWI also because they had lost many valuable lands in past battles and hoped siding with Germany would regain them.

  • Schlieffen Plan put into action

    When the Schlieffen Plan was put into action, this sparked England's involvement in the war and they officially joined when they came to France's aid.

  • Battle of Marn

    This battle was fought by the French and British armies against Germany who had invaded Belgium. The Germans soon retreated that ended just north of the Aisne River, thus began the beginning of trench warfare.

  • Lusitania sinks

    This event is a major turning point in the war since this was a major event that sparked America's involvement in the war. After the Lusitania (A passenger cruise ship secretly carrying weapons) sank, America joined the war.

  • Japan declares war on Germany

    Japan declared war on Germany after Germany refused the removal of their ships of Japanese waters. Their entry in the war greatly benefited Britain as they sided with the Allied Powers.

  • Battle of Somme

    The Battle of Somme was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of WWI, after the Battle of Verdun France asked for Britain's aid and they agreed. This battle was one of the many events that solidified England's position in the war.

  • Battle of Verdun

    This was a battle between Germany and France in which Germany took several of France's forts. The French would eventually take back their forts but this battle would lead to France asking for Britain's aid in the next battle.

  • Unrestricted submarine warfare commences

    Germany returns to its unrestricted submarine warfare after they suspended it due to pressure from the United States. This would eventually lead to the sinking of the Lusitania which was one of the main events that led to America's involvement in the war.

  • Zimmerman Telegram found

    This is another crucial step in America's entry to WWI because it further encouraged them to join. The telegram was an intercepted message from Germany to Mexico telling them to attack America. The English deciphered the the telegram and then gave it to America, the day after the note was given to America, President Woodrow Wilson began to prepare ships for attacks from Germany.

  • Tsar Nicholas II abdicates

    The effects of WWI had a negative impact on civilians in Russia, making it hard to live. So Nicholas II abdicated the throne after being blamed for Russia's failure in WWI which lead to Vladimir Lenin's rise to power.

  • US Declares War on Germany

    This was a major turning point in the war because up until then the United States had remained neutral in war. But after the sinking of the Lusitania, they joined which gave the Allied Powers an advantage.

  • Bolsheviks emerge as a political group

    The Bolsheviks, who were led by Lenin, became a political group after Lenin seized control of the government in 1917. They would become the dominant political power in Russia

  • Vladimir Lenin seizes power in Russia

    After Nicholas II abdicated, Lenin was able to gain absolute control over Russia. Lenin didn't benefit the country very much because he was able to start a civil war in Russia while they were still in WWI

  • Fourteen Points proposed

    The Fourteen Points were a statement of principles that would be used for peace negotiations. They were created by President Woodrow Wilson and were later presented to the United States Congress

  • Russia signs treaty of Brest-Litovsk

    This treaty was signed between the Bolshevik Government of Soviet Russia and the Central Powers. This treaty led to the end of Russia's participation in WWI. Vladimir Lenin would later break this treaty.

  • Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates

    Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate from his title of kaiser after being blamed for the conflict that began WWI. He was pressured by his generals into the signing of the mobilization of Germany's troops which cemented Germany's declaration of war against Russia and France.

  • Treaty of Versailles signed

    The signing of this treaty was the event that officially ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed exactly five years after Franz Ferdinand's death.

  • Stalin Comes to Power

    Joseph Stalin was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee, and after Lenin's death in 1924, he became the leader of the Soviet Union

  • Germany stops reparation payments to France

    After 91 years, Germany finally pays off all $33 Billion that they had agreed to pay to France at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.