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Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated
When Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife where visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, they were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. Gavrilo Princip was a 19-year old man from a group called The Black Hand. -
Period: to
World War I
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Austria declares war
On July 23, Austria presented Serbia with an ultimatum. which was very demanding including an end to all anti-Austrian activity. Serbian
leaders would have had to allow Austrian officials into their country to conduct an investigation
into the assassinations. Serbia knew that refusing the ultimatum would lead to war against the more powerful Austria. Serbian leaders agreed to most of Austria’s
demands. Austria refused to negotiate and declared war on Serbia. -
Germany declares war
Germany declares war on Russia, and Russia looks to France for help. Without waiting for France to react, Germany declares war on France as well. -
Battle in the valley of the Marne River
Allies attack the Germans northeast of Paris, in the valley
of the Marne River. Taxicabs rush soldiers to Paris, and eventually after four days of fighting, Germany retreats. -
Russia gets driven out of Austria-Hungary
In December the Austrian Army (with Germany's help) defeats the Russians in a 17-day battle near Limanoya, Austria. Two weeks in, Russia was driven out of Austria-Hungary. -
Battle of Gallipoli
The Battle of Gallipoli takes place on the Western area of the Ottoman Empire -
Battle of Verdun
Germany launch a massive attack against the French near Verdun. Each side lost more than 300,000 men. -
Attack in the Valley of the Somme River
Britain tries to help France by attacking the Germans northwest of Verdun, in the valley of the Somme. When it ended in November, each side had more than 500,000 casualties. -
Unrestricted Submarine Warfarfe Policy
Germany announces that their submarines would sink without warning any ship in the waters around Britain. This policy was called unrestricted submarine warfare. -
America enters World War I
America had been leaning more towards the Allies side, and after the Zimmerman telegram, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asks Congress to declare war. Congress obliges, and America enters World War I on the Allies side. -
Lenin seizes power
Communist leader Vladimir Ilych Lenin seizes power in Russia. Lenin insisted on ending Russia's involvment in the war. In March of 1918, Germany and Russia sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. -
Second Battle of Marne
The Alies and Germany fight at the Second Battle of the Marne. 350 tanks busted through the Germans lines, and the arrival of more than 2 million American troops helped the Allied powers advance towards Germany -
World War I ends
After 4 years of slaughter and destruction, leaders of the Allied nations gathered to create a peace settlement. Although their intent was good, it didn't work perfectly for everyone. -
Treaty of Versailles
On June 18, 1919, four years after the assassination of Franz Ferdiand, the Treaty of Versailles is signed. The Allied powers and Germany signed it, creating a leauge of nations. This League of Nations would try and keep peace amongst all the nations, and it included the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan. Germany was excluded and punished, Germany lost land, and restrictions placed upon its military. The worst was what was known as “war guilt." Germany paid reparations.