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Chinese Nationalists oust the last Qing emperor, Puyi
In 1911, the Revolutionary Alliance, overthrew the last emperor of the Qing dynasty. The Revolutionary Alliance was the forerunner of the Kuomintang, and they wanted 1) an end to foreign control, 2) people's rights, and 3) economic security. -
World War I begins as Austria declares war on Serbia
Austria Archiduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot in Sarajevo by a member of The Black Hand. The Black Hand was a secret society that wanted to rid Bosnia of Austrian rule. Because the assasin was Serbian, Austria presented an ultimatum an declared war when Serbia refused the ultimatum. -
The U.S. Enters World War One
The U.S. entered the War in 1917, when the focus of the war shifted to the seas. The German submarine policy helped push the U.S. into the war. Also, the Zimmerman telegram (in which Germany offered to help Mexico reconquer land now in U.S. in return for their support), the sinking of the Lusitania by a German submarine, and the fact that the U.S. had strong ties with Europe also drew the U.S. into the war. -
An Armistice is Signed as the Allies Defeat the Central Powers
Germany and Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ended the war between them. The Germans then sent all of their military power to the Western Front, but lost. Kaiser Willhelm II stepped down, and Germany signed an armistace with the French. -
Gandhi Leads Indian Camapaign of Civil Disobedience
Gandhi led non-violent protests against the British, aiming for independence from Britain. He called for boycotts of British goods, strikes and demonstrations, and he organized the "salt march." -
Mustafa Kemal transforms Turkey into Republic
He wanted to mold the new Turkish republish into modern nation. He set rules for colthing, including Western-style suits and banning the fez (traditional Turkish hat). He separated church (Islam) and state, granted women the right to vote, and induatrialized the country. -
Mao Zedong heads Long March
Mao hoped to bring communism to the rural country, where peasants would be the revolutionaries. To escape the Nationalist army, the Communists began the Long March from the South of China north toward the caves of Shaanxi. The march covered 6,000 miles, including 18 mountain ranges, 24 rivers, and swampland.