The Great War (WWI)

By Kar0315
  • Franz Ferdinand assasinated

    Franz Ferdinand assasinated

    Franz Ferdinand was the archduke of Austria. On this day, he and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian. (photo source: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWarchduke.htm)

  • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

  • Russia, ally to Serbia, begins to prepare for war

  • Germany declares war on Russia

    Germany declares war on Russia

    Because Germany had formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary, it declared war on Russia the day after Russia began mobilizing its armed forces. (photo source: http://www.historycentral.com/Europe/GermanyDeclaration.html)

  • Germany declares war on France

  • Germany declares war on Belgium

    Though Belgium was nuetral, Germany invaded Belgiium in order to defeat France. For this reason, Great Britain declares war on Germany.

  • Austria Hungary declares war on Russia

  • Unofficial Christmas truce

    Unofficial Christmas truce

    Soldiers in trenches along the Western front declare a temporary, unofficial truce in honor of the holiday. (photo source: http://voiceseducation.org/content/christmas-truce)

  • Germany declares a submarine blockade of Great Britain

  • German U-boat sinks the Lusitania

    German U-boat sinks the Lusitania

    Germans suspected this ship carrying civilians was hiding military supplies (a correct assumption). 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans die. (photo source: http://homepage.mac.com/oldtownman/ww1/lusitania.html)
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    Battle of Verdun

    The longest battle of the war
  • Woodrow Wilson re-elected President of U.S.

    Woodrow Wilson re-elected President of U.S.

    (photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Woodrow_Wilson-H%26E.jpg)

  • Zimmerman telegram

    The British intercept a telegram from Reich Foreign Secretary Zimmermann to Mexico encouraging the nation to declare war against the United States. Only in recent years have historians discovered this was a a British plot to get the United States to enter the war.

  • President Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany

  • First wave of American forces lands in France

  • New Russian government signs armistice with Germany

  • Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points

    Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points

    U.S. President Wilson presents his 14 Points to world peace (photo source:

  • President Wilson agrees to cooperate with Allies in sending unofficial, volunteer troops into Russia.

  • Turks sign armistice

  • German republic founded

  • Woodrow Wilson leaves U.S. for Paris Peace Conference

    Unfortunately, Wilson does not invite any Republicans to accompany him. This is a mistake that will haunt him when he tries to pass the League of Nations in Congress. Future U.S. Presidents will learn from this mistake.
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    Demobilization of armies

    Millions return home (and millions morn the loss of those who do not). *This is a primse example of a disadvantage. Even though this happened throughout the year, I cannot simply put a year. I am forced to enter specific start and end dates (day/month/year format)
  • Peace Treaty signed

    Peace Treaty signed

    This treaty was signed by German delegates and Allies in Versailles (photo source: http://www.redicecreations.com/winterwonderland/balfourversailles.html)
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    President Wilson campaigns for the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations

    President Wilson brings this campagin to the American people, traveling throughout the country to give "whistle stop" speeches.

  • U.S. Senate fails to ratify the Treaty of Versailles

    By this time, President Wilson has suffered various health problems (including a severe stroke). This is a huge defeat for Wilson.