-
Development of Alliances
The development of alliances was possibly one of the most important and main causes of WWI. It led to the development of the triple alliance, which led to the Franco-Russian alliance in response. The creation of alliances stirred the pot for WWI. -
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution was one of the most important revolutions in history, alongside the American and French revolutions. It began a new era for Russia after it brought down an empire under Tsar Nicholas II. It was a revolution against economic oppression and a push for democracy. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand immediately impacted countries around the world. It was an important factor in the spark of WWI, and increased tension between Austria Hungry and Serbia. The feud between these two countries started when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914 in response to the assassination. -
Austria Declares War on Serbia
Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. This was exactly one month after the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Austria believed that the proper response to the assassination was invading Serbia. -
Schlieffen Plan
The Schliefen plan was an operational plan for an attack on France once Russia had mobilized forces near the German border. The execution of the Schlieffen plan resulted in Britain declaring war on Germany in August of 1914. The was a response of the increasing tension between these countries. -
The First Battle of the Marne
The First Battle of the Marne began shortly after the French retreated towards the Marne River. It was there where they met the Germans and fought out the first major battle on the Western fronts. This battle was the first to use new military technology such as radio and automobiles. The French turned out victorious because the Germans ran out of battle plans and heavy artillery. -
Stalemate of the Western Front
The Western front was a series of trenches that the Germans named that was 700 kilometers from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border. In the first couple months of WWI, France and Belgium were in static warfare in the Western front, where there was nothing going on but the two sides just sitting and waiting. This made trench warfare very known throughout the world. -
Technology in WWI
The technology of WWI began a whole new era of military power. New inventions, such as radio, planes, tanks, mustard gas, and machine guns gave tremendous advantage in battle. This revolutionized war and eventually resulted in trench warfare. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
In May of 1915, the British Lusitania, was sunk after the captain of the boat ignore the suggestions of avoiding the south coast of Ireland. The boat was hit by a torpedo and sunk within twenty minutes. This caused a huge outrage in Britain and in the U.S. resulting in the U.S. declaring war on Germany. -
Zimmermann Telegram
The Zimmermann Telegram was a note from the German Foreign Minister that American cryptographers deciphered. It was a letter offering U.S. territory in Mexico if America joined Germany's cause. This obviously did not settle well with Americans, therefore, drawing them more into the war and causing more tension between the alliances. -
Woodrow Wilson's War Address
In Woodrow Wilson's 1917 war address, he cast the wars purpose in broad idealistic terms. He declared that America had "no quarrel with the German people." This was one of the factors that gave way to America declaring war on Germany in April of 1917. -
America Joins the War
In April of 1917, America formally joined the war.This was an effect of the sinking of the Lusitania. American joining the war brought huge change in America. Women became big supporters of the war to preserve democracy, and eventually got voting rights as well. -
Armistice
The Armistice brought the end of WWI, finally. Although WWI brought death to millions around the world, it did bring tremendous change in each of the countries that fought in the war, especially America. The Armistice was the most important piece to the end of WWI.
