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Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated by Bosnian/Serbian revolutionaries with the aim to start a war with the Austro-Hungarian empire. -
The Lusitania, a British passenger ship, is sunk by Germans. Of the American citizens on board, 128 are killed. -
Woodrow Wilson wins over his opponent, Republican Charles Evans Hughes, for being the peace candidate. -
Upon signing this, Germany promised to not sink any more merchant ships without warning and with conditions, effectively keeping America out of the war for a little longer. -
Run by Bernard Baruch, the War Industries board told manufacturers what they could produce, allocated raw materials, ordered construction of new factories, and set prices. -
Once the Czar left his throne, the temporary government set up in his absence was overthrown by Lenin, who established a communist state. -
A message concerning Germany urging Mexico to fight America to keep them out of the war, and promised lost land from the Mexican-American war in return, is intercepted and enrages Americans. -
Against the Sussex Pledge, Germany continues unrestricted sub warfare. They thought that they could starve Britain into submission before any American troops arrived. -
Woodrow Wilson appears before Congress to ask them to declare war on Germany. -
The Committee on Public Information is created to "sell" war to Americans and sway public opinion in favor of the war. -
This required all men aged 21-30 to register for the draft, and a raffle would pick from the registrar for the order of appearing before a council for exemptions. -
The Espionage Act of 1917 made it illegal to aid the enemy, give false reports, or interfere with the war effort. -
Headed by William Howard Taft and Frank Walsh, the National War Labor Board mediated labor disputes and minimize the effect that unions would have on the war effort. This included improving wages and making an 8 hour workday. -
This is a treaty between Russia and Germany, leading to Russia losing many territories but pulling out of the war. -
This battle involved gas attacks and artillery. The Germans pushed very close to Paris, but French and American troops held the line. -
The Sedition Act of 1918 makes it illegal to speak against the war publicly. Paired with the Espionage Act, thousands of people were jailed for criticizing the government. -
Germans fell slowly, eventually retreating from American troops. -
Across Europe, fighting stops. -
Connected to the Red Scare, homemade bombs are found addressed to prominent Americans, creating fears of conspiracy. -
For the entire summer, African Americans are victims of racial violence, try to test the limitations of segregation in protest, and receive violent backlash as a result of being in jobs when white soldiers return home from the war to no jobs available. -
Almost immediately after the war and in the midst of protests, there is nationwide panic about the thought of communists interfering with the US government. -
A treaty involving Germany, the United States, Italy, France, and Britain. Germany has to pay reparations, give up land, and have limits on its military. The USA does not sign it. -
Shipyard workers in Seattle demand higher wages and shorter hours. They returned to work without many gains, but spurred concern about communist interference. -
75% of the Boston Police Force walks off of their jobs, eventually leading to Calvin Coolidge calling in the National Guard. When they tried to return to their jobs, they were fired. -
One of the largest strikes in US History, this steel strike hindered future progress in steel unions as the head of the Steel company tried to break the union instead of listening.