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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated on June 28, 1914 along with his wife. He was on his way to visit people who were injured in a blast earlier that day. Ferdinand was killed by 18-year-old Gavrilo Princip. The assassination led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. This started The Great War. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A German U-boat sunk the British civilian ship, the Lusitania, on May 7, 1915. A torpedo struck the ship and exploded it. The ship took approximately twenty minutes to sink. The sinking of the Lusitania killed 1,198 people, including 128 U.S. citizens. This caused many Americans to want to join the war, but the government clung to neutrality for the time being. -
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Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was one of the most costly battles of World War I. With over 3 million soldiers fighting, more than one million had been either wounded or killed. For many British soldiers this was the first time they saw combat. It was also the first American soldier casualty of WWI, Harry Butlers was a U.S. citizen who was serving with British forces. The Germans casualty number reached 450,000 soldiers and the British reached a number of 420,000 soldiers. -
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British Intercept the Zimmermann Telegraph
The telegraph was intercepted and deciphered by British intelligence in January 1917. However it was not until March 1917 when the information was printed on the front pages of American newspapers. The actual telegram was Germany conspiring with Mexico. Germany was trying to convince Mexico to join the war on the Axis side. Germany would offer financial aid and the restoration of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona to Mexico if victorious. -
Russians Leave War
The Russian Revolution began on March 8, 1917. There were food shortages that prompted mostly women to riot. Soon, disheartened soldiers began to join as well. In less than two weeks, Tsar Nicholas II had to resign from his throne. Finally, in March of 1918 the new government signed a peace treaty with Germany that forced Russia to give up about 30% of their territories. -
United States Enters World War I
Although many Americans still wanted to stay neutral, the United States entered World War I. After seeing Germany wanting to conspire with Mexico, President Wilson knew what he had to do. President Wilson request for war was sent in on April 2, 1917 and was granted on April 6. The main reasons were the American deaths on the Lusitania and the Zimmermann Telegram. -
Espionage Act
The U.S. Congress passed the Espionage Act in order to make it a crime for any person to relay information that is intended to interfere with the U.S. war effort or to promote the success of the Axis Powers. To make a long story short, it makes it illegal to be a spy. Any person that is found guilty of these crimes would be subject to a fine of $10,000 and would be imprisoned for twenty years. -
Leo Bailey Transferred from Syracuse, New York To M9
Leo was transferred from Syracuse, New York to Company M, 9th Infantry. He was on the sea for over two weeks and the soldiers were on constant lookout for submarines. However, they never spotted any. The soldiers were protected by destroyers. Leo even saw his sister, Elizabeth, but sadly, Elizabeth did not see Leo. -
Woodrow Wilson Issues His "Fourteen Points"
President Wilson called for the Ally nations to set unselfish terms with the Central Powers. They were to give them freedom of the seas and restoration of territories that were conquered during the war. Wilson wanted our world to "be made fit and safe to live in; and particularly that it be made safe for every peace-loving nation, which, like our own, wishes to live its own life." So, the speech was translated and distributed to German soldiers. This contributed to their decision for Armistice. -
Sedition Act
The Sedition Act of 1918 was largely orchestrated by U.S. attorney general, A. Mitchell Palmer. It was passed to stop the spreading of false statements that interfered with the prosecution of war, insulting/abusing the U.S. government, the flag, the Constitution, the military etc. Any person found guilty would be fined with no more than $10,000 and/or a prison sentence for no more than twenty years. Congress saw this as crucial to the war, but modern legal scholars see this as unconstitutional. -
Leo Bailey Wounded
Leo was wounded at Belleau Wood in June 1918. The Battle of Belleau Wood lasted from June 1, 1918 until June 26, 1918. Leo injured his right arm and could only write home with his left hand. -
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Second Battle of the Marne
This was the last large German offensive battle of World War I. There were four successful offensives in France prior to this, so it was looking up for Germany. However, there were British, American, and Italian troops assisting the French in their defense. So, the Germans only advanced a few miles after crossing the Marne River. Only three days later, the Allies crossed the Marne and the Germans retracted. -
Leo Bailey Leaves Hospital, Place in Prisoner of War Escort Company
On October 14, 1918, Leo Bailey was finally able to leave the hospital. He was placed in the Prisoner of War Escort Company where his job was to handle Central Power's prisoners of war. -
Armistice Day
Armistice was reached because both sides were done. They could barely go on, especially Germany. The United States kept adding to their troops and Germany could not keep up. It was Germany's idea for Armistice, but for the Allies to agree, they had to agree with some very harsh terms. At this point, Germany had no choice but to agree. -
Treaty of Versailles
The treaty was signed on June 28, 1919, but was not put into effect until January 10, 1920. It was drafted during the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. It was almost completely drafted by the leaders of Britain, France, the United States, and Italy. It forced Germany to lose about 10% of their population and territory.. Germany was also forced to pay for the losses and damage the Allies had faced during the war on top of having to pay for the losses they had faced as well. -
Leo Bailey Waits for Germany to Accept Peace
Leo worked as a Prisoner of War Escort, which means he watched over the prisoners. So, he had to wait for Germany to accept peace before he could be sent home. Germany had to accept in order for the prisoners to go back home. -
Leo Bailey Sailed Home
Unsure of the precise date, Leo Bailey sailed back home in October 1919. He was most likely on leave in Paris before he headed home, as that was his plan before he was honorably discharged.
