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Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria is assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a Serbian nationalist group.
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia; entangling alliances leads to the beginning of World War I in Europe. The USA declares neutrality
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The RMS Lusitania is sunk by a German submarine, leading to the death of over 1,000 passengers, including 128 Americans.
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Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare. T
hey believed thewy could end the war before the United States would be prepared to enter WWI. -
President Woodrow Wilson is informed of the Zimmerman Telegram (Germany attempting to bring Mexico into WWI).
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The United States of America declares war on Germany, mobilizing for war. -
President Wilson signed the Selective Service Act of 1917 into law. Males ages 21-30 had to register for possible drafting into the armed services.
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The USA passes the Espionage Act of 1917. This prevented insubordination in the military, and helped to prevent the support of United States enemies during wartime.
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The USA passes the Sedition Act of 1918 (further limited freedom of speech).
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Germany and the Allied Powers signed an armistice (an agreement to stop fighting).
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Germany, the Allied Powers, and America sign the Treaty of Versailles, ending World War I.
