WWI Timeline

Ferdinand Assassination

Jun 28, 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. He was a member of the Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand. This event was the final tipping point after years of tensions between countries that led to the war.

Germany Supports Austria-Hungary

Jul 6, 1914

Austria-Hungary asked Germany to help if a war occured. They knew that they were unprepared for a large-scale war so if anything happened, Germany would be a big help. Germany told Austria-Hungary that they had there full support.

Austria-Hungary Gives an Ultimatum

Jul 23, 1914

Austria-Hungary gave Serbia a ultimatum saying either give into what we want (wipe out terrorist orginzations, no anti-Austria propaganda, and an investigation into the assassination) or we will start a war. Serbia than asked Russia for help.

Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia

Jul 26, 1914

Austria-Hungary declared war on Sebria on July 26, 1914. The assassination, Serbia's long time threat on Austria-Hungary being so powerful, and other factors lead to this event.

Germany Declares War on Russia

Aug 1, 1914

Germany declares war on Russia on August 1, 1914. Since Germany had an alliance with Austria-Hungary and had issues with Russia, they decided to declare war. They, also, attacked Russia's ally, France.

German Declares War on France

Aug 3, 1914

United Kingdom Declares War on Germany

Aug 4, 1914

United States Declares Neutrality

Aug 4, 1914

Austria-Hungary Declares War on Belgium

Aug 22, 1914

Japan Declares War on Germany

Aug 23, 1914

Russia Declares War on Ottoman Empire

Nov 1, 1914

Britain Declares a Blockade

Mar 31, 1915

Britain delcares a blockade on all German ports. This stopped all of their necessary trade items from getting to Germany which severly harmed them. This caused Germany to start using submarines to sink any ship found in waters around Britain without warning.

Lusitania Sinks

May 7, 1915

German submarines sink a British passenger ship, the Lusitania. There was 114 Americans aboard. Also, Britain was using this ship to transport war material. This angered Americans since some of their people died when they had no involvement in the war.

Italy Declares War on Austria-Hungary

May 23, 1915

Germany Limits Submarines

Aug 30, 1915

After America tells the Germany to stop sinking ships, Germany said that they wouldn't sink ships without warning. They do not keep this promise for long.

The Peace Ship

Dec 4, 1915

Henry Ford charters a "Peace Ship" to try to convince the fighting countries to agree on peace.

Germany Declares War on Portugal

Mar 9, 1916

Wilson was Re-Elected

Nov 7, 1916

Woodrow Wilson was re-elected as president. He used the slogan "He kept us out of war."

Zimmerman Telegram

Jan 19, 1917

Britain intercepts a telegram to Mexico from Germany. It said that Germany will begin unrestricted submarine usage to try to get the United States into the war. It, also, said that if Mexico declared war on the United States, Germany will be their ally and help them get back the territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Zimmerman Published

Mar 7, 1917

The Associated Press published the "Zimmerman Telegram." The telegram angered many Americans. It was the final and most important factor to the United States joing the war.

United States Declares War

Apr 6, 1917

6 Senators and 50 Representatives vote against the declaration.

Wilson's Speech to Congress

Apr 6, 1917

Woodrow Wilson gave a speech to Congress to try and get the United States to go to war against Germany. He said "The world must be made safe for democracy" which also helped him get more Americans on his side.