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Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
While riding through the streets of Sarajevo, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assasinated by a Bosnian Serb. This angered Austria-Hungary. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War
Following the assasination of the Archduke, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, prompting more war declarations from throughout Europe. -
Schlieffen Plan/Plan 17
The Germans and the French put into action their battle plans; the Germans with thier Schlieffen Plan and the French with their Plan 17. Both of these plans were flawed, but both sides refused to acknowledge the shortcomings of their plans. -
Battle of the Marne
The French army halted the movement of the Germans, who were carrying out their Shclieffen plan, in a bloody battle at the Marne. -
Battle of Limanowa
Austria-Hungary begins to push back the Russian forces, halting their advance. -
Battle for Gallipoli
Because fighting on the Western Front had come to a deadlock, the Allied Powers tried to push through the Balkans to get to Germany. -
Battle of Verdun
German forces attacked the French town of Verdun and its surrounding forts, hoping to slowly wear down their defenses. This resulted in one of the longest and costliest battles of the entire war, and failed to accomplish the German goal. -
Battle of the Somme
British and French forces attempted to break through a front, attacking from the north and the south. British forces bombarded the German lines for a week, to little affect, and were then slaughtered when they attempted to attack on foot. The British suffered immense losses, even greater than the French at Verdun. -
End of the Battle of the Somme
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Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The Germans begin using the tactic of unrestricted submarine warfare, which was the practice of sinking any unfriendly vessel at sea. This resulted in the sinking of the Lusitania, which helped trigger the American involvement in the war. -
Americans Enter War
Outraged by the Zimmerman telegram and the sinking of the Lusitania, America joins the Allied Forces in their fight. The fresh troops and equipment that the US brought to the battle helped bring the battle to the Allies's advantage. -
Russian Involvement Ends
Unable to continue losing so many troops and money, Russia makes a truce with the Central Powers, causing it to lose land and ending conflict on the Eastern Front. -
Second Battle of the Marne
The second Battle of the Marne was the last offensive rush made by Germany. The Allies outflanked and defeated the German troops, starting the relentless Allied advance that ended with the Armistice treaty. -
Armistice
Germany signed a peace treaty with the Allied powers, effectively ending the war. Bulgaria, Austria-Hungary and The Ottoman Empire did not surrender until later. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed, formally declaring peace between Germany and the Allied powers. This treaty built on President Wilson's 14 points and made Germany accept responsibility for the start of the war.