Causes of WWI

  • Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo.

    Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo.

  • Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

    Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

  • U-boat sinks the Lusitania. 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans die.

    U-boat sinks the Lusitania. 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans die.

  • Tsar Nicholas takes command of the Russian armies

    Tsar Nicholas takes command of the Russian armies

  • The longest battle of the war, the Battle of Verdun, is fought to a draw with an estimated one million casualties.

    The longest battle of the war, the Battle of Verdun, is fought to a draw with an estimated one million casualties.

  • Woodrow Wilson re-elected President of the United States with campaign slogan: "He kept us out of the war"

    Woodrow Wilson re-elected President of the United States with campaign slogan: "He kept us out of the war"

  • President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war with Imperial Germany.

    President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war with Imperial Germany.

  • The first wave of the American Expeditionary Force lands in France.

    The first wave of the American Expeditionary Force lands in France.

  • Two waves of influenza kill more people than did the war.

    Two waves of influenza kill more people than did the war.

  • WWI ends

    WWI ends