World War I By rgriesmer Period: Jan 1, 1913 to Dec 31, 1919 World War I Jun 28, 1914 Franz Ferdinand and wife are killed by Serbian terrorist Aug 1, 1914 Germany declares was on Russia Aug 3, 1914 Germany declares war on France, an ally of Russia Aug 3, 1914 Italy declares itself neutral Aug 4, 1914 Britain declares war on Germany Aug 4, 1914 United States declares itself neutral Sep 22, 1914 German submarines sink 3 British cruisers - 1400 men die Feb 15, 1915 Germany declares waters around British Isles a war zone May 7, 1915 Lusitania is sunk by Germans- 140 Americans die Mar 15, 1916 Woodrow Wilson orders General John Pershing to invade northern Mexico to capture Pancho VIlla, who has killed 16 US mining citizens Oct 7, 1916 Woodrow Wilson is reelected because he wants to keep US out of war Jan 19, 1917 German diplomat recieves secret telegram from Arthur Zimmerman that suggusts forming a defensive alliance with Mexico if US goes to war with Germany. Jan 22, 1917 Wilson calls for "peace without victory" Feb 3, 1917 US government cuts ties with Germany because of the submarine warfare Mar 18, 1917 3 American vessels (City of Memphis, Vigilancia, and Illinois) are sunk by German submarines Apr 6, 1917 US declares war on Germany May 28, 1917 Selective Service Act passed- the draft Jan 8, 1918 Woodrow Wilson "14-Point Peace" speech to Congress aims to prevent destructive warfareby setting up an international body to resolve disputes May 28, 1918 Cantigny- first US win Nov 11, 1918 Germans surrender, expecting a peace drawn up under Wilson's generous 14 Points Dec 1, 1918 US forces move into Rhineland Dec 13, 1918 Woodrow Wilson arrives in France- first US president to travel to another country Jun 28, 1919 Treaty of Versailles signed