The Great War

By Julian_Wagner
  • Period: to

    WWI

  • Assasination

    Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo.

  • Germany declares war on Belgium

    Germany declares war on neutral Belgium and invades in a right flanking move designed to defeat France quickly. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany.

  • Submarine warfare

    Germany declares a submarine blockade of Great Britain. Any ship approaching England is considered a legitimate target.

  • Lusitania

    U-boat sinks the Lusitania. 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans die.

  • Battle of Verdun

    The longest battle of the war, the Battle of Verdun, is fought to a draw with an estimated one million casualties.

  • Woodrow Wilson re-elected

    Woodrow Wilson re-elected President of the United States with campaign slogan: "He kept us out of the war"

  • Declaration of war

    President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war with Imperial Germany. (Link goes to PBS: American Experience)

  • Armistice

    The new Russian government, represented by Leon Trotsky, signs an armistice with Germany.

  • Influenza

    Two waves of influenza kill more people than did the war. (Link goes to PBS: American Experience)

  • Paris Peace Conference

    Woodrow Wilson sets sail for the Paris Peace conference