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The Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, heir to the austro-hungarian throne, was shot and killed in Bosnia along with his wife. Austria-Hungary was enraged and blamed serbia for the assassination, sparking war between the two nations.
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Germany invaded Belgium, causing a chain reaction of countries going to war. It was the official start of World War I.
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For the first time ever, tanks were made and used in warfare. They were brought in by Britain during the battle at Delville Wood. Though they were great for getting through barbed wire and protecting troops, they failed to be a decisive weapon.
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This was the longest battle in World War I. The main goal of the Germans was to "bleed France white" in this battle. Soldiers who came out of it were exauhsted and scared. It also sparked the Battle of Somme, where the British tried to take the focus off of the French in Verdun.
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British intelligence intercepted the note, known as the Zimmerman telegram, that supposedly stated that Germany was bribing Mexico to side with them. This is one of the reasons America eventually enters the war.
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Germany signs a peace treaty with Russia, as they were going through a civil war at the moment. It game Germany new land on the western front, causing a problem for America, Britain, and France.
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Congress authorizes the call for war. America enters on the side of Britain and France. While the other countries were growing tired of war the AMericans were fresh and brought new energy into the mix.
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A battle with the U.S. Marine Corps against Germany. It ends with the final expulsion of Germany from the woods, marking the furthest Germany had been after they took Paris. The area had changed hands six times.
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This marked the signed ending of fighting on the Western front. Though there was celebration, some fighting still went on. The death toll that happened on this enraged many people. However, it is still considered the last day of offical fighting.
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A list of negotations, made by the allies, that put an official end to the war. It limited Germany's borders and army size as well as making them pay reparations.
