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Alliances
There were many factors that contributed to the start of WWI, one attribution being the many alliances; starting in 1882, with the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria, and Italy. Next, in 1894, there was the Franco-Russian Alliance, followed by the Entente Cordial between England and France in 1904. And finally, the Anglo-Russian Entente between Britain, France, and Russia in 1907 (Edwards). -
Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
On June 28, 1914, Austro-Hungarian heir, Archduke Franz Ferdinand's procession took a wrong turn just where Serbian assassin Gavrilo Princip happened to be eating. Seeing his opportunity, Princip headed out and shot both Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, at point blank. Essentially, this was the trigger for the chain of events that led to WWI (History Staff). -
Lusitania is shot down
When the ship, Lusitania, set out to sea, Germans believed that it held tons of ammunition, not the 1,900 passengers that it truly carried. And on May 7, 1917, the ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat. When the ship sank, it took along 1,198 passengers, including both women and children and 124 U.S. citizens. This sinking played a major role in turning the American public opinion against Germany (History Staff). -
Germany agrees to suspended submarine warfare
After Lusitania's sinking in 1915, President Woodrow Wilson decided to put a stop to German submarine warfare. In an address to Congress, Wilson stated that unless the German Government restrict its sub-fare to only enemy vessels, the American government could have "no choice but to sever diplomatic relations with the Government of the German Empire altogether". On May 6, the Germans signed the "Sussex Pledge, promising to stop the indiscriminate sinking of non-military ships" (History). -
Woodrow Wilson is reelected
After President Woodrow Wilson's first term ended, he decided to run again. Running on the slogan, "He kept us out of war", Wilson defeated Republican candidate Charles Evans Hughes by merely 23 electoral votes. His slogan, however, wouldn't account to him for much longer... (Britannica) -
Wilson's 14 points
Address: No secret agreements between countries; Seas always free to navigate; Free trade for peace countries; Reduction of weapons everywhere; Claims over regions will be fair; Russia determine its own government.Germans out of Russia; Germans out of Belgium, an independent country; France will regain all territory; Country of Italy; Austria-Hungary continued independence; The Central Powers will evacuate; Country of Turkey; Poland independence; League of Nations to protect independence.(Ducks) -
Germans resume unrestricted submarine warfare
By this time in the war, the Germans felt they had no other choice but to resume submarine warfare. On January 31, 1917, Germany announced the renewal of submarine warfare on all seas, and prepared to attack all sea vessels. Just three days later, the United States cut off all diplomatic relations with Germany, and within hours an American liner was sunk by a U-boat (although no passengers died).(History) -
Zimmerman telegram
After being intercepted and deciphered by British intelligence, the Zimmerman telegram is given to America where it is published across all newspapers. The German foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, proposed a Mexican-German alliance to the German ambassador in Mexico, if and when the Americans decided to join the war. In return, Germany promised to return the lost land of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. (History) -
America declares war on Germany
Four days after America received the Zimmerman telegram, the United States declared war on Germany. Now, this wasn't a spur of the moment decision for America; after all the events Germany acted in against the U.S., it was decided to stop those powers. On April 6th, 1917, the House of Representatives "endors[ed] the declaration by a vote of 373 to 50, and America formally enter[ed] World War I" (History). -
American's first battle in WWI
After spending a full year preparing enough soldiers to formally combat in the war, America set foot in Cantigny, France. Over about 72 hours, the American troops faced constant shelling and gassing attacks until they finally overran the German-held village. In the end, there were over 1,000 U.S. casualties, but not without success; firstly, it deprived the Germans of a high observation point, and additionally show the Germans that the Americans were a force to be reckoned with. (History) -
Armistice Day
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany. Three days prior, German delegates were escorted through France and were presented with the terms of the Allied Armistice. The terms are very harsh, intending to show complete German defeat as well as to prevent any future militarization again. (worldwar) -
Paris peace conference
On January 18th, 1919, some of the world's most powerful leaders met in Paris, France to begin the next six months of complicated negotiations that would eventually mark the end of WWI. Those present are the victorious Allied powers of France, Great Britain, Italy, and the United States. Woodrow Wilson's presence at the conference was a struggle in an effort to keep the Germans from being treated too harshly in the negotiations. (History) -
Treaty of Versailles
After the Paris Peace Conference was held, the Allied powers presented the Treaty of Versailles to Germany, who together signed it on June 28, 1919. The results were harsh on Germany. Not only did the treaty force Germans to demilitarize, give up land to France, and pay about $420 billion dollars in reparations, but it also required Germany to take full blame for the war. Although the treaty officially ended the war, it didn't end the grudges and anger for the Germans (Ducks).
