World War 1

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Jun 28, 1914

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand started the war and was done by Gavrilo Princip

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Pricip stepped out in front of the crowd of people and shot Archduke Franz Ferdinand. This is the y key event to the start of the war.

Germany declares war on Russia

Aug 1, 1914

The alliance system obligated Germany to declare war.

Germany invades Belgium

Aug 3, 1914

This was following the strategy known as the Schlieffen Plan. This plan called for a holding action against Russia, combined with a quick drive through Belgium to Paris; after France had fallen, the two German armys would defeat Russia.

Germans sink the Lusitania

May 7, 1915

One of the worst disasters in history. Off the southern coast of Ireland, a total of 1,198 people were lost, and of those, 128 were Americans.

First Battle of Somme

Jul 1, 1916

The slaughter was horrific. The British suffered 60,000 casualities on day one alone. The total casualities totaled about 1.2 million.

U.S. vote to enter WWI

Apr 6, 1917

The U.S. House of Representatives had been debating on President Woodrow Wilson's request to declare war on Germany. The vote passed to enter the war at about 1:00 A.M.

Selective Service Act

May 1, 1917

The act required men to register with the government in order to be randomly selected for military service. By the end of 1918 24 million ment had registered under this act.

Fourteen Points

Jan 18, 1918

President Woodrow Wilson delivered the Fourteen points speech before congress. The first five were addressed to prevent another war. The next eight dealt with boundary changes, and the last point was the creation of the league of nations.

Alvin "The Man" York

Oct 8, 1918

Armed with only a rifle and a revolver, Alvin York killed 25 Germans and captured 132 prisoners.

Austria-Hungary Surrenders

Nov 3, 1918

That same day German sailors mutinied against government authority.

Treaty of Versailles

Jun 28, 1919

Established 9 new nations and shifted the boundaries of other nations. It also barred Germany from maintaining an army, It also required Germany to pay reparations of $33 million to the allies.