Dates and Major Events of WWI

By lbaxley21

  • Archduke Francis Ferdinand is killed.

    Archduke Ferdinand was shot in the heart in the town of Sarajevo, Bosnia.
  • Period: to

    WWI Major Events & Dates

  • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

    The people of Austria-Hungary were convinced Serbians were behind the assassination of the Archduke.

  • President Wilson announces the United States' neutrality.

    The United States had too much money in overseas investments to take sides during the war. The US had to declare neutrality so that no trade relationships were harmed.

  • Poison gas is first used against the Allies.

    German forces fired more than 150 tons of lethal chlorine gas in Belgium.

  • The sinking of the Lusitania angers Americans.

    128 Americans were killed when a German U-boat shot fire at the Lusitania, a British ship.

  • German submarine torpedoes the Sussex

    The Sussex was a French passenger steamboat. The attack killed or injured 80 passengers, including 2 Americans.

  • Germany ends Sussex pledge.

    Germany had previously stated they would stop all unrestricted submarine warfare, but retracted this statement.

  • US president signed Call to War.

    A war resolution was passed 82 to 6 in the Senate and 373 to 50 in the House.

  • The Selective Service Act was passed.

    This act authorized a draft for young men into the military in the US.

  • American troops fight at Belleau Wood, Chateau-Theirry, and the Argonne Forest.

    Battles lasted from the beginning of June until the Armistice of November 11, 1918.

  • German army reaches Paris.

    German army breaks through and reaches 50 miles from Paris.

  • Germany signs Treaty of Versailles.

    This treaty ended the war.

  • Central Powers agree to a truce with the Allies.

    Guns finally fell silent after this armistice.

  • US Senate rejects Treaty of Versailles.

    The US had objections to the League of Nations.