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Creation of the CPI
The Committee on Public Information was an independent agency of the government of the United States created to influence public opinion to support US participation in World War 1. -
Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (and his wife, Sophie) were shot to death by a Bosnian Serb nationalist during an official visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. -
Wilson Urges Neutrality
As World War 1 erupts in Europe, President Woodrow Wilson formally proclaims the neutrality of the United States, a position that a vast majority of Americans favored. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The sinking of the Lusitania occured in 1915, during the First World War, as Germany waged submarine warfare against the United Kingdom which had implemented a naval blockade of Germany. -
Espionage Act
The Espionage Act of 1917 imposed harsh penalties for anyone speaking or acting against the government or the military. -
Selective Service Act
The Selective Service Act is a U.S. federal law that instituted conscription, or compulsory military service. -
America Declares War
The U.S. Senate voted in support of the measure to declare war on Germany. The House concurred two days later, and the United States later declared war on German Ally Austria-Hungary. -
American Troops Enter Europe
Once war was declared, the army attempted to mobilize the troops very quickly. -
Zimmermann Note
British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause. -
Second Battle of Marne
The Second Battle of Marne marked the turning of the tide in World War 1. It began with the last German offensive of the conflict and was quickly followed by the first allied offensive victory of 1918. -
German Surrender in Compiegne, France
The Fuhrer dictated that the surrender be formalized at Compiegne, the very spot where Germans had signed the Armistice ending World War 1. -
Wilson's 14 Points
President Woodrow Wilson proposed a 14-point program for world peace. These points were later taken as the basis for peace negotiations at the end of the war. -
Rejecting of the Treaty of Versailles
The Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles based primarily on objections to the League of Nations. The U.S. would never ratify the treaty or join the League of Nations. -
Paris Peace Conference
The Paris Peace Conference was called to establish the terms of the peace after World War 1.
