Course of World War I

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

A month earlier archduke Franz Ferdinand had been assassinated by a Serbian nationalist.

Germany invades central Belgium

Aug 4, 1914

"The invasion of Belgium in August 1914 by German troops delayed them by four days in their desire to get to France as quickly as possible. Both sides feared the other for different reasons - Germans feared spies, Belgians feared reprisals and revenge." - BBC Learning Zone

US announces war neutrality

Aug 19, 1914

US President Woodrow Wilson announces the US will remain neutral

German victory at Battle of Tannenberg

Aug 26, 1914

German army achieves it's greatest victory of the war on the Eastern front at the Battle of Tannenberg

First Battle of Marne Halts

Sep 5, 1914

First Battle of the Marne halts German invasion in France

Trenches Dug - Western Front

Sep 15, 1914

The first trenches at the Western Front are dug

Zeppelin Air Raid on England

Jan 19, 1915

First German Zeppelin Air raid hits England. Not particularly successful.

German Submarine Blockage on Great Britain

Feb 4, 1915

Germany declares a submarine blockage on Great Britain. Any boat approaching England is considered a legitimate target.

Second of Battle of Ypres

Apr 22, 1915

Second Battle of Ypres marks first use of chemical weapons

Allies assault on Gallipoli

Apr 25, 1915

Allies begin assault on Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey

Sinking of Lusitania

May 7, 1915

Sinking of US ship Lusitania kills 1200, approximately 120 of them Americans

Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary

May 23, 1915

Italy, previously an ally and a part of the Triple Alliance declares War on one of the nations it was in alliance with, Austria-Hungary

Withdraw troops in Gallipoli

Dec 28, 1915

Troops begin their withdrawal in the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey

Battle of Verdum is fought

Feb 21, 1916

Longest battle of the war, the battle of Verdum is fought to a draw with an estimated 1 million casualties

Battles of Isnonzo between Italy and Austria-Hungary

Mar 11, 1916

5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Battles of Isonzo between Italy and Austria-Hungary

Battle of Jutland begins

May 31, 1916

The Battle of Jutland, a major naval battle of WWI begins

Battle of Somme

Jul 1, 1916

Battle of Somme is fought

Battle of Somme ends

Nov 19, 1916

Germany issues peace note

Dec 12, 1916

Germany issues peace note suggesting compromise peace

Germany declares submarine warfare

Feb 1, 1917

Germany again declares unrestricted submarine warfare

USA declares war on Germany

Apr 6, 1917

Third Battle of Ypres

Jul 16, 1917

Bolshevik overtake Prov.Government

Nov 7, 1917

Bolshevik socialists overtake Kerensky's government

Leon Trotsky signs armistice with Germany

Dec 3, 1917

Leon Trotsky leads new Russian Government, signs an armistice with Germany

British capture Jerusalem

Dec 9, 1917

Woodrow Wilson Declares 14 Points

Feb 8, 1918

Woodrow Wilson declares his 14 points as the path to world peace

Germans - 5 Major Offenses

Mar 21, 1918

Germans launch the first of 5 major offenses to win the war before USA reaches the trenches

Germans shells land on Paris

May 23, 1918

Allies push German army back on Somme

Aug 8, 1918

Allied counter-offenses push the German army back on the Somme

Allied troops break through Hindenberg

Sep 29, 1918

Allied troops break throught the fortification at the Hindenbergs line

War ends, armistice signed

Nov 11, 1918

War ends, Germany and Allies sign an armistice