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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand, who was the heir to the Austria-Hungarian Empire, and his wife were shot by a serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. This sparked a series of events that eventually started World War I. -
Great War Begins
WWI was a global war lasting from 1914-1918. Imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and the assassination of Franz Ferdinand were the major causes of World War I. The Triple Entente (France, Great Britain, and Russia) and the Central Powers (Italy, Germany, and Austria-Hungary) were the leading countries that agreed to be allies that helped spark the war. -
Kaiser Declares "Open Season" on Ships
Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany created a policy declaring that the North Sea was to be considered a war zone. Ships, whether neutral or not, would be sunk without notice. -
Lusitania Sank
Less than a year after WWI began, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the Lusitania. Over 120 Americans were killed, playing a significant role in the turn of public opinion against Germany in the United States, who would later join the war. -
Battle of the Somme
The Somme Offensive of 1916 continues to be one of the bloodiest battles in history. Taking place near the Somme River in France, the Germans fought against the French and British in a four month battle. Eventually the battle ended when British Commander Douglas Haig called a halt to his armies offensive. -
Wilson Re-elected
Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson won the 1916 election against Republican nominee Charles Hughes in the middle of WWI. The campaign slogan that granted Wilson a second term in office was: "He Kept Us Out of War". This was pointing to President Wilson's longing to stay neutral in the conflict with Europe. -
Zimmerman Note Intercepted
During the war British codebreakers deciphered a threat written by the Germans to the United States. Fearing that America would enter the war after the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany wanted to form an alliance with Mexico. The Germans would completely fund a Mexican invasion against the U.S. In addition, if America lost the war, Mexico would gain all the territories they lost including Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. This would be one of the major factors in America's decision to enter WWI. -
U.S. Declares War on Germany
Congress accepted President Wilson's request to declare war on Germany on the bases of "making the world safe for democracy". This was after several American citizens were killed by Germans on ships traveling to Britain. -
Selective Service Act
Required all men between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for military enrollment by the national lottery. -
Convoy System
The British Royal Navy created a new convoy system that would provide protection by the British navy for all groups of merchant ships traveling across the Atlantic Ocean. This was created because of the success German U-boat submarines had and the impending danger they placed on allied ships. Creating this new system declined the damage caused by the Germans and eliminated their hope of starving the British into defeat. -
Espionage Age Passed
Congress passed the Espionage Act, which was enforced by jail time or a heavy fine, in order to stop growing criticism of the war effort. They feared that the public unease would limit the number of men willing to participate in the war. -
Russia Pulls Out of the War
A group of communists overthrew the government, which was made up of individuals who supported Russia's participation in World War I. Led by Vladimir Lenin, the communists agreed to Germany's Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. This pulled Russia out of the war and gave Germany the territory of Ukraine, Finland, and Polish and Baltic territories. In return, German troops were removed from Russian lands. -
Flu Epidemic
Influenza was first observed in Europe, the U.S. and parts of Asia, and would eventually spread around the world. The epidemic was the deadliest in history, killing anywhere from 20-50 million people. -
Fourteen Points Speech
President Woodrow Wilson presented a speech to Congress declaring that WWI was being fought for a moral cause and to achieve peace with Europe. -
Sedition Act Passed
The United States Congress passed the Sedition Act to protect America's involvement in WWI. This enforced punishment on those making false accusations, specifically against things such as the U.S. government and military; but mainly on the nation as a whole. -
Germany Signs Armistice
Britain, France and American armies were advancing on the Central Powers. Turkey and Austria-Hungary then signed an armistice, leaving Germany to fend for themselves. Being deprived of men and supplies, Germany signed an armistice agreement in a railroad car with the Allied Powers which would end the war.
