Arlington

WWI: USA's Shift from Neutrality to War

By clockbread1

  • Franz Ferdinand Assassinated

    Franz Ferdinand Assassinated
    The Archduke of Austria and his wife Sophie Chotek, Duchess of Hohenberg were shot and killed by Gavrilo Princep of the Black Hand in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This lead to Austria-Hungary declaring War to Serbia and the escalation of causes to World War I.

  • Germany declares War on France

    Germany declares War on France
    France's declared intent to stay free in the case of War between Russia and Germany caused the latter country to take quick action and initiate the start of war and invasion.

  • British Blockade of Germany

    British Blockade of Germany
    The Naval force of theTriple Entente created a blockade to prevent food and other supplies from entering Germany. An estimated 424,000 died of starvation.

  • Lusitania Sunk

    Lusitania Sunk
    1,198 people died when this British Ship was torpedoed by ta German U-boat eleven miles off the coast of Ireland.

  • Wilson Re-elected

    Wilson Re-elected
    After a long standing attempt to stay neutral and out of conflict, Woodrow Wilson was re-elected for another term in office. However, as the War progressed his stance on involvement would not stay the same.

  • The Zimmerman Telegram

    The Zimmerman Telegram
    A coded telegram was sent from Germany promising parts of the land of the free and the brave to Mexico if they joined the the War on the side of the Allies. The note was intercepted by the British.

  • Germany Announces Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

    Germany Announces Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
    Germany responded to the intense blockading of its country by producing a blockade of their own. This resulted in a large decrease in Britain's war supply obtainment and overall health.

  • Loans from the U.S. Rise

    Loans from the U.S. Rise
    At this point, 2.25 billion dollars had been borrowed by the Allies and consistantly increasing.

  • Bolshevik Revolution Begins

    Bolshevik Revolution Begins
    Starting in Petrograd, the Russian people overthrew the Russian Provisional Government. Eventually this led to a long civil war and the creation of the Soviet Union in 1922

  • U.S. Congress Ratifies War Resolution

    U.S. Congress Ratifies War Resolution
    President Woodrow Wilson has a special joining of Congress to declare war on the German Empire. Ironically, Wilson was elected on the platform of promise to stay out of the War.

  • Selective Service Act Ratified

    Selective Service Act Ratified
    This Act alowed the US government to assemble a military of drafted civilians in times of soldier shortage. Men between 18 and 45 years of age were required to register and still are today.