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Chain Reaction
Serbias protector, Russia, be gan mobilization . Germany, Austria-Hungarys cheif ally, demended that Russia stop mobilizing, and Russia refused. At that poit, russias ally, France, began to ready its troops, as did Germany. -
The Conflict Expands
Austria-Hungary demended that Serbia cease its support for terrorism in Bosnia within two days or risk war. Unsatisfied with Serbias response, Austria-HUngary declared war on July 18th. -
The Preparedness Movement
Preparedness supporters organized a a National Security League to 'promote patriotic education and national sentiment and service among people of the United States." By the late summer of 1915, the mevements leaders had persuaded the government to set up camps to train American men for combat. -
German Submarine Warfare
A German submarine torpedoed the Sussex,a French passenger steamship. The attack killed or injured 80 passengers, including 2 americans. -
Moving Toward War
Germany informed the United States that it would end the Sussex pledge and resume unresstricted submarine warfare the following day. German strategists knew that it might bring the United States into the war. -
The Convoy System
All merchant and troop ships traveled in a convoy, between April and December, merchant marine losses dropped by half. U-boats did not sink a single United States troopship traveling to Europe , although a relatively small number of Americans lost their lives on the return trip. -
Turning the Tide of War
Lenin signed a truce with Germany in December and a final pecae treaty on March 3rd, 1918, Germany later won vast territories in western Russia that included much of the countrys industry and richest farmland. Russias exit from the war freed the Germans from the two-front war they had been forced to fight. -
German Attack
German forces attacked British lines, for the first time since 1914, they successfully broke through the trenches and advanced deep into allied territory. Their aim was to split British troops in northern France from French armies to the east, and eventually to capture Paris. German forces turned all their energies toward pounding the French and British lines.