How World War I Begins:

Spark Event! Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assasinated

Jun 28, 1914

While inspecting troops in Bosnia, a Serbian nationalist student, Gavrilo Princip, assassinated the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, when their open car stopped at a corner on its way out of the town.

Austria Declares War on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

The Austrian government blamed the Serbian government for the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife and declared war on Serbia.

Germany Declares war on Russia

Aug 1, 1914

Four Steps to War

Germany declares war on France

Aug 3, 1914

Britain declares war on Germany

Aug 4, 1914

Germany entered into Belgium as directed by the Schleiffen Plan, Britain gives Germany an ultimatium to withdraw from neutral Belgium.
Germany did not withdraw from Belgium and Britain declared war on Germany.

Japan declares war on Germany

Aug 13, 1914

Japan declared war on Germany through her alliance with Great Britain, signed in 1902

Turkey Enters War

Oct 29, 1914

Turkey entered the war on the side of the central powers.

Russia declares war on Turkey

Nov 2, 1914

Because of the help given by Turkey to the German attack of Russia, Russia declared war on Turkey.

Britain and France declare war on Turkey

Nov 5, 1914

Britain and France, Russia's allies, declared war on Turkey, because of the help given to the German attack on Russia.

Luisitania is Sunk

May 7, 1915

Sinking of the Lusitania

Italy enters war on side of the Allies

May 23, 1915

Italy had originally been allies with the Triple Entante, but did not enter the war on Germany's side because they felt that Germany had acted aggressively.