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Francis Ferdinand was next in line for the throne in Austria. His wife, Sophie, and him were assasinated by a man from Serbia named Gavrilo Princip while in Sarajevo. This was the spark that started WWI
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The biggest, bloodiest war of that time. Sometimes called The Great War of The War To End All Wars, it was the biggest, bloodiest war of that time.
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Wanting to avenge their Prince, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
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Germany, who pressed demands on Russia and Serbia, goes to war.
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Under the cover of alliances, Germany declares war on France. Germany declared war because it had completed the Schlieffen plan that had been drawn since 1897 and was designed to attack France.
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The United Kingdom declares war on Germany after Germany invades Belgium.
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Trench warfare begins as soldiers on both sides dig in.
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The United Kingdom announces that the North Sea is a military area, effectively creating a blockade of goods into Germany.
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Germany declares a "war zone" around Great Britain, essentially effecting a submarine blockade where even neutral merchant vessels were to be potential targets.
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The Battle of Verdun begins. The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War I and was one of the bloodiest.
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The Second Battle of Ypres begins. It is during this battle that the Germans first use poison gas.
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The Battle of the Somme begins. During the Battle of the Somme, tanks are first introduced into battle.
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The United States declares war on Germany.
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America joins the alied powers, bringing the war to an end in 14 mounths.
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Russia signs the Treaty of Brest Litovsk, which is a peace treaty between Russia and the Central Powers.
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German flying ace, Baron Manfred von Richthofen (more commonly known as the Red Baron), is shot down.
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At 11 o'clock in the morning of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the First World War--known at the time as the Great War--comes to an end.
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The Treaty of Versailles is signed, officialy ending WWI
