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The beggining
In late June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The First World War , was a global war of European origin that began on July 28, 1914. -
War between Austria-Hungary and Serbia
Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. -
Both parts
The First World War pitted the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire against the Allied forces of Great Britain, the United States, France, Russia, Italy and Japan -
Germany declares war on France and Belgium
Germany declares war on France and Belgium and invades in a right flanking move designed to defeat France quickly. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany. -
Total War
War becomes "Total War" with German Zeppelin air raid on England -
British use gas in battle
British use gas in battle near Loos, but shifting winds cause 60,000 British casualties. -
Period: to
Battle of Verdun
The longest battle of the war, the Battle of Verdun, between France and Germany is fought to a draw with an estimated one million casualties. -
Battle of Jutland
The biggest naval engagement of World War I, the Battle of Jutland (May 1916) left British naval superiority on the North Sea intact, and Germany would make no further attempts to break the Allied naval blockade for the remainder of the war. -
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME BEGINS
The devastating Battle of the Somme starts in the summer and end in November. The casualty count is horrific: 419,000 British, 194,000 French and 650,000 Germans. -
BRITISH USE TANKS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT SOMME
Thirty-six tanks are secretly shipped to the front and used in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, near the Somme -
PRESIDENT WILSON DELIVERS HIS WAR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
President Woodrow Wilson delivers his war message in a historic joint session of the House and Senate, stating that the world must be made “safe for democracy” and asks for a declaration of war. -
THE UNITED STATES DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY
The United States quickly puts the entire country on the road to war. Going from a standing army of 133,000 men -
THE CONCEPT OF “TOTAL WAR” BECOMES REALITY
England is bombed by German Gotha airplanes. The strategic bombing of civilian targets introduces the reality of “Total War” to England and the world. -
Russian Revolution
The Bolsheviks successfully overthrow the Russian government during the 1917 Russian Revolution. -
Treaty of Brest Litovsk
Russia signs the Treaty of Brest Litovsk, which is a peace treaty between Russia and the Central Powers. -
Battle of Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne begins. -
The End
The Treaty of Versailles officially ends WWI.
