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The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution took place in 1917, during the final phase of World War I. It removed Russia from the war and brought about the transformation of the Russian Empire into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), replacing Russia's traditional monarchy with the world's first Communist state. -
US Enter WW1
The U.S. Senate voted in support of the measure to declare war on Germany. The House concurred two days later. The United States later declared war on German ally Austria-Hungary on December 7, 1917. -
US declared the war against German ally
The United States declared war on German ally Austria-Hungary. -
Peace Treaty
A peace treaty is signed between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey) at Brest-Litovsk. The treaty marks Russia’s final withdrawal from World War I. The humiliating terms of the treaty effectively surrenders one third of Russia’s population, half of her industry and 90% of her coal mines. Russia also cedes lands including Poland, Ukraine and Finland, and cash payments are made to release Russian prisoners. -
Germany launches the Ludendorff Offensive
With 50 divisions now freed by the surrender of Russia, Germany realises that its only chance of victory is to defeat the Allies quickly before the huge human and industrial resources of America are deployed. Germany launches the Ludendorff (or first Spring) Offensive against the British on the Somme. -
Ferdinand Foch is appointed Supreme Allied Commander
The French Marshal Ferdinand Foch is appointed Supreme Allied Commander on the Western Front. -
Forming the Royal Air Force
The Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service are merged to form the Royal Air Force. -
Germany launches a second Spring Offensive
Germany launches a second Spring Offensive, the Battle of the Lys, in the British sector of Armentieres. The front line Portuguese defenders are quickly overrun by overwhelming numbers of German troops. The capture of the Channel supply ports at Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne could choke the British into defeat. -
The Zeebrugge Raid
The Zeebrugge Raid, an attempt by the British Royal Navy to block the Belgium port of Bruges-Zeebrugge. The port is an important base for German U-boats. The raid is only a partial military success but an important propaganda victory for the Allies. -
The German navy appears in U.S. waters for the first time
German U-boats appear in U.S. waters for the first time. -
Third German Spring Offensive
The Third German Spring Offensive, Third Battle of the Aisne, begins in the French sector along Chemin des Dames. The main objective of the Germans is to split French and British forces in an attempt to gain a quick victory before American troops are deployed in greater numbers on the battlefields of Europe. -
U.S. Forces Victory at the Battle of Cantigny
U.S. forces, some 4,000 troops, are victorious in their first major action of the war at the Battle of Cantigny. -
Final phase of the great German spring push
The final phase of the great German spring push, the Second Battle of Marne begins. The heavy toll on the German Army from the previous Spring Offences is beginning to show, with depleted and exhausted troops. -
Tsar Nicholkas II family murder
The former Russian Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, and children, are murdered by the Bolsheviks. -
The Allies counterattack against German forces
The Allies counterattack against German forces, seizing the initiative on the Western Front. -
Start of the Battle of Amiens
Start of the Battle of Amiens, the opening phase of the Allied Hundred Days Offensive, that will ultimately lead to the end of World War I. Allied armoured divisions smash through the once impregnable German trenches. Erich Ludendorff calls it “the black day of the German Army.” -
Allied offensive against Bulgarian forces
Start of an Allied offensive against Bulgarian forces. The Vardar Offensive would last little over a week with Bulgaria eventually signing an armistice and exiting the war. Bulgaria’s King Ferdinand would abdicate shortly afterwards. -
The British begin an offensive against Turkish forces in Palestine
The British begin an offensive against Turkish forces in Palestine, the Battle of Megiddo. The battle would prove to be the final victory of British General Edmund Allenby’s conquest of Palestine. Unlike most other offences of World War I, Allenby’s campaigns had succeeded with relatively little cost. -
Meuse-Argonne offensive begins
The Meuse-Argonne offensive begins. This will be the last Franco-American campaign of the war. It is during this battle that Corporal (later Sergeant) Alvin York makes his famous capture of 132 German prisoners. -
German request to the Allies
Germany asks the Allies for an armistice. -
The Allies take control of various key places
The Allies have now taken control of almost all of German-occupied France and part of Belgium. -
German navy change
Germany ceases its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. -
Sailors of the German Navy mutiny at the port of Kiel
After refusing orders to put to sea in a bid to launch a final suicide attack on the British Royal Navy, sailors of the German Navy mutiny at the port of Kiel.
After being forced back by Allied troops, Turkey requests an armistice. -
Armistice with the Allies
Following the fall of Trieste, Austro-Hungary concludes an armistice with the Allies. -
Germany begins negotiations
Germany begins negotiations for an armistice with the Allies in Ferdinand Foch’s railway carriage headquarters at Compiegne. -
German Kaiser abdicates
The German Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates. -
End of WW1
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in the French town of Redonthes, Germany signs an armistice with the Allies – the official date of the end of World War One.