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Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife sophie were going on what they thought was a simple vaycation to relax. But when on their trip they were assasinated by Sarajevo. Sophie first then Francis.
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Germany and Austria - Hungary become allies
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Confident with Germany's support, Austria-Hungary sent a harsh ultimatum to Serbia demanding their total cooperation in an investigation into the assignation of Archduke Francis Ferdinand.
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when Serbia did not agree to all of the demands, Austria – Hungary declared war with Serbia
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Germany declares war on France
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Britain declares war on Germany
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Battle of Tannenberg, which Russia loses; Germany's greatest success of the war on Eastern Front
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First German air raid on Britain
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Japan's 21 demands on China
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German U-boat attacks on Allied and neutral shipping; declares blockade of Britain
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First use of poison gas by Germany starts Second Battle of Ypres
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France, Russia, Italy and Britain conclude secret Treaty of London
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U-boat sinks British liner Lusitania with the loss of American lives, creating a US-German diplomatic crisis
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Second Battle of Champagne begins
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German attacks Verdun in the longest battle of the war, ultimately defended by the French at great cost to both sides. This war lasts from February 21 - December 18
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Zimmermann Telegram is passed to the US by Britain, detailing alleged German proposal of an alliance with Mexico against the US
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US President Woodrow Wilson's war cabinet votes unanimously in favour of declaring war on Germany
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French passenger ship, Sussex, torpedoed. the Sussex was built in 1896 for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. The Sussex became the focus of an international incident when she was severely damaged by a torpedo from a German U-Boat.
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Battle of Jutland, the biggest naval battle in history, This Battle ends ultimatly without a clear victor walking away. The battle last from May 31st to June 1st.
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Italy declares war on Germany
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US President Woodrow Wilson requests statements of war objectives from warring nations in peace note .
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Allies state peace objectives in response to US President Woodrow Wilson's December 1916 peace note.
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Haig directs start of successful Amiens offensive, forcing all German troops back to the Hindenburg Line; Ludendorff calls it a "black day" for German army
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US declares war on Austria-Hungary.
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Germany launches Spring push, eventually mounting five major offensives against Allied forces, starting with the Battle of Picardy against the British
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Treaty of Versailles drafted and signed