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Death!!!
Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Serbia, is assassinated by the Black Hand (Bosnian terrorist group). -
Period: to
WW1
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July Ultimatum
After the death of Franz Ferdinand, Serbia and Austria began the haggling. Austria sent Serbia a set of ten intentionally unacceptable points. Serbia only agreed to eight of them. -
Austria Declares War
After learning that Serbia had only approved eight of the ten conditionsn that Austria had set, they officially declared war on Serbia. -
Russia Gets in on the Fun
Russia, unbeknownst to Austria, had an agreement to protect Serbia. The government orders partial mobilization one day after Austria declares war. -
The Germans get in on the Fun
The Germans take Russia's call to mobilization as an act of war against Austria. Germany, who was allied to Austria, declared war against Russia. -
France Felt Left Out
France was bound to Russia in a treaty, so when Germany declared war on them, France reciprocated, and by extension, also declared war on Austria. -
Britain Wants to Have a Good Time
Britain is also tied to France, but more loosely, based on a "moral obligation". They really joined the war to protect Belgium, with whom they had a treaty for 75 years. (Britains colonies also joined in the war.) -
Hey, look what this contraption can do!
The first land battle of World War One, the Battle of Leige resulted in heavy losses for the Germans. Occurred as Germany tried to cross Belgium to invade France. -
Mother Russia!
A huge, almost complete decimation of the Second Russian Army by the Germans, Tannenberg ended Russia's invasion of Prussia almost before it started. -
Marne
Basically, one of the only reasons that the Germans did not have their 48-day victory. -
The tortise and the turtle
The sea was an geographical asset. So, the allied forces and Germany raced to the North Sea. One of the first occurrences of trench warfare. -
Italy "Had a Funeral to go to"
Although Italy was allied to both Germany AND Austria, they managed to get out of it on technicalities. Later, they joined the fight on the opposing side. -
D5? Sunk!
The Lusitania, a British passenger ship was attacked with American civilians on board. One of the contributing factors to America's involvement. -
Verdooooooooooooooooooooon
The longest battle of World War One. Also ended in a stalemate, between the French and the Germans. Had no real effect except to weaken both parties. -
Jutland!
Biggest naval battle of World War One. Ended in a draw. Figures... -
The western front was worse than Ted Bundy!
Significant because it still holds the one day record of troops killed in a day --58,000 British soldiers alone died on the first day. -
Way to go, Artie!
March 1 was the day that the Zimmerman Telegram was revealed to the American population to the press. 'Nuff said. -
America Arrives Fashionably Late
America declares war on the central powers. -
Think, think, think.
Negotiations for a peace treaty begin in Versailles, France. -
The War is Over! For now.
The Treaty of Versailles is signed.
