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Franz Ferdinand Assassination
The assassination of Arch Duke and his wife instigated the beginning of World War I -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
One month after the assassination of the Arch Duke and his wife, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This effectively began the first World War. -
First Use of Gas as a Weapon by the Germans
One of the most deadly weapons of war, was mustard gas. The Germans first began using this prior to the third battle of Ypres in Belgium. This devastated the allied line. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The Germans had placed a blockade on the British, claiming they would sink any ships moving to and from Britain's ports. Soon after the Lusitania left, the Germans torpedoed the ship with U-boats. (German submarines) The Lusitania sank in the Celtic Sea in merely 18 minutes, killing nearly 1,198 people including 128 Americans. -
Wilson reelected; pledged American neutrality
Wilson was a strong supporter of American neutrality in the war. He declared the United States would remain "impartial in thought as well as in action" Many americans agreed with this statement and supported neutrality. -
Zimmerman Note
Arthur Zimmerman, a German government employee, sends a telegram to the German Embassy in Mexico. In this telegram he encourages the Mexican government to invade the Southern border of the United States. His idea is to distract from the European affairs. The British intercept the telegram and inform President Wilson. At first, the Americans feel this is British propaganda. Those opinions changed, and Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. -
Bolsheviks led by Lenin overthrow Russian government
The Bolsheviks, led by Vladamir IIyich Lenin, overthrew provisional government. At the time, Alexander Kerensky was ruling the goverment. Russian monarchy was overthrown a few months later in March. -
US declares war
April 2, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. United States officially declared war on German allies December 7. -
War Ends
The war ended on the eleventh month, eleventh day, and eleventh hour. Germany signed an armistice(an agreement for peace) that had been prepared by the Britains and French. -
Treaty of Versailles
The most important peace treaty that brought World War I to an end. The treaty ended the state of war with Germany and the Allied Powers. The treaty required Germans to pay 132 billion gold marks in reparations in the war.
