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The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne is assassinated by Bosnia-Serbian assassins. -
Germany Pledges Allegiance to Austria-Hungary
Germany saw a considerable advantage to pledging allegiance to Austria-Hungary as they saw the prospect of defeating rival nations such as France and Britain as highly profitable. -
Austria-Hungary gives Serbia an Ultimatum
Austria-Hungary offers mercy in exchange for cooperation from Serbia in the expansion of the Austria-Hungarian borders. Serbia refuses Austro-Hungary's offer - angering the rival nation. -
World War I Begins
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Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
After the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and growing tensions between the two nations with conflicting interests, Austria-Hungary finally declares war on Serbia. -
Period: to
World War I
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Germany Declares War on France
Germany saw France as a threat due to its alliance with both Britain and Serbia. -
Germany Invades Belgium
German forces demanded passage through Belgium to allow easier access to France and its capital. Germany's armies intented to mobolize within Belgium to allow for an all out attack on France. -
Britain Declares War On Germany
As an ally of France, Britain is obligated to assist in the war, along with the growing threat from Germany. -
Australia and New Zealand Join in Support of Britain
Australian and New Zealand men enlist in the army to form the ANZACS (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) to support their mother country, -
Canada Joins the War in Support of Britain
Due to its alliance with Britain, Canada joins WWI in order to aid the allied forces. -
The United States Declares Neutrality in The War
The United States did not want to get involved in the conflict due to self preservation and the opinions of the public and its government. The president of the United States would not be swayed until the USA itself was threatened. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Russia
Due to Russia's alliance with Serbia, Russia sided with Serbia when Austria-Hungary declared war on the smaller nation. This in turn made Russia an enemy of Austria-Hungary. -
Serbia Declares War on Germany
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France & Britain Declare War on Austria-Hungary
The two powers sided with Russia against Austria-Hungary in order to nullify greater threats - themselves. In siding with eachother in the war against a common enemy, Britain, Russia and France reduced the impact on themselves by not making an enemy out of eachother. -
Battle of the Frontiers begins
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Serbia Invaded by Germany, Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary
The Central Powers tried to take Serbia down by force by using multiple countries' forces against the single smaller nation. -
The Central Powers gain control of Belgrade
The Central Powers captures the inner cities of Belgrade, successfully gaining control of the country as a whole. -
The First Battle of Ypres
The First Battle of Ypres was the first of three battles that were fought in order to gain control of the city of Ypres between the Allies and the Central Powers. Ypres was valued for its vantage points along the coast of Belgium, which would serve as an advantage to whomever claimed the stretch of coast. -
Turkey Joins and Sides With Germany
In order for Turkey to survive the war, the only option would be to side with a European power to gain protection under an alliance. The Turkish sided with Germany, in part due to its history with the Ottoman Empire. -
Battle of the Falkland Islands
The Battle of the Falkland Islands was a battle between British and German naval forces that resulted in Britain's victory. The mission was to hunt down the squadron of German ships that had been responsible for Britain's loss at the Battle of Coronel. -
The Western Front "Christmas Truce"
Fighting ceases between troops on Christmas day - soldiers of opposing sides come together to celebrate Christmas day before fighting resumes the next day. -
Britain Attacks the Dardanelles
The Dardanelles was a highly contested straight of water as it would provide an easy access point between conflict and countries giving supplies to troops. It was the main area in which troops would be able to get access to the supplies and resources they desperately needed. -
Allied Troops Land In Gallipoli
The ANZAC troops and British forces land on the shores of Gallipoli, but their ship has landed off target. -
The Battle of Loos Begins
Britain created tunnels leading underneath German forces in order to utilize mines that would be detonated underneath enemy lines. The Battle of Loos was also the first time Britain had used poisonous gas in conflict, along with their new army movements. -
The UK Declares War on Bulgaria
Britain warned Bulgaria against opposing the Allies, however due to alliances within nations many countries such as Bulgaria were drawn into the conflict - thus making them an enemy of the allies. -
The Ottoman Empire Closes The Dardanelles
The Ottoman Empire closed the Dardanelles to allied shipping to cease naval operations within the region. This was a strategic move to ensure that a supply route would solely belong to the Central Powers. -
The Allies Begin Their Evacuation From Gallipoli
After their crushing defeat and months of starvation, suffering and illness within the trenches, the ANZACS and Allies fled from Gallipoli. There was no foreseeable way in which the ANZACS could have defeated Turkey in their current state. -
Britain Begins Conscripting Men
Britain begins conscripting men into the army - meaning men who were recruited had no choice in the matter, unlike Australia's enlistment strategy. -
The Battle of Verdun Begins
The Battle of Verdun was started by Germany in an attempt to capture vantage points within France that would increase the effectiveness of artillery-fire. This strategy was based on the Battle of Champagne. -
Germany Begins Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Again
Despite countries' attempts to restrict the use of submarines in the war by limiting and abolishing submarines all together, the Germans were able to mobilize units to be useful in the war. -
The Battle of Somme Begins
The battle of Somme was one of the most devasting battles in history, with a collective death/injury toll of over 1,000,000 men. British/French forces fought the Germans on the the Somme River, France. -
Italy Declares War on Germany
While Italy was originally neutral in the war but declared war against their allies Germany and Austria-Hungary due to the nation's desire to expand its territory. Britain and France proposed more land for Italy in return for Italy's cooperation. -
The Central Powers Create a Unified Command
The Central Powers began working as a cohesive unit to capture surrounding countries and states while also fortifying their regions in order to protect themselves from the allies' advances. Military power was combined and delegated between countries to increase effectiveness in battle. -
Germany Issues Peace Note
Germany's ruler sent a peace note to the President of the United States calling for a peace settlement, noting Germany's own apparent power and ability to defend itself should America not comply. -
The Christmas Battles Begin
The Russian armies within Latvia commenced an operation that aimed to take out German forces within the region between Lake Babīte and Jelgava. -
End of The Christmas Battles
The Christmas Battles resulted in the loss of many Latvian men, however the campaign as a whole was considered successful. -
Battle of Rafa
The 'Action of Rafa' was the final battle in the capture of Sinai. British and Egyptian forces attacked Ottoman Empire troops that had been entrenched south of Rafa at El Magrutein. -
British Raid the Ancre
The British Raid and attacks on Ancre were the final and one of the largest attacks commenced by Britain. Strategy relied heavily on Britain's artillery and pure force. -
Britain Captures Baghdad
British troops stormed the Diyala River, just south of Baghdad in order to claim the city from opposing Ottoman Empire forces. The British had a great advantage in the fight due to their troops being well trained and efficient British-Indian soldiers whose technique and skills far outweighed that of the Ottoman Empire's troops. -
USA Declares War on Germany
After the sinking of the French vessel the Sussex, the US severed all diplomatic relations with Germany. Britain - in an attempt to sway the US towards joining them in the war - leaked a coded telegraph from Germany stating that they would assist Mexico in reclaiming the US. This effectively was the turning point which made the USA declare war. -
US Espionage Act Passed
The US Espionage Act was passed in order to allow the US to have no interference with military operations and recruitment. -
British Launches First Attack at Ypres
British forces attacked German lines east and north-east of Ypres in order to claim the Passchendaele Ridge. -
Allies Capture Yanbu
With the power of both the British allies and Arab Rebel forces led by Fakhri Pasha, the Allies were able to claim Yanbu from the Ottoman Empire. -
Britain Claims Jerusalem
British forces enter the city. -
Germany Attacks in Flanders
Germany attacks the main centralisation of British and Belgian forces north of Flanders. -
Last German Offensive of World War 1
The Champagne-Marne Offensive is the seond phase of the Second Battle of Marne. It was part of the Spring Offensive and marked the end of Germany's success in the war. -
Austria-Hungary Signs the Armistice with Italy
Just over a week before Armistice Day, Austria-Hunagary admitted defeat in the war and ceased all conflict. This did not mark the end of the war, however, as other forces/countries had yet to cease conflict. -
World War I Ends (Armistice Day)
Armistice Day marked the day in which all fighting stopped between German troops and the British and the allies on the eleventh month, on the eleventh day on the eleventh hour. Each year on the 11th of November, Rememberance Day is held to remember the sacrifice of those in the war. -
League of Nations Proposal Accepted
The first proposal of an intergovernmental organisation is accepted. -
Germany Signs the Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles effectively marked the end of World War I and the war between Germany and the Allies. The treaty was signed 5 years after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and included conditions put upon Germany such as payment for all damage and losses during the war from all sides. This was one of the main instigators for World War II -
German Republic is Founded
The German Republic (or Weimar Republic) was established after World War I. The official title of the new German state was German Reich, which literally translates to "German Empire." -
First League of Nations Meeting
The''official' end of World War 1. The LN was a result of France's Peace Conference and was an intergovenment organisation aimed at creating ties between nations to avoid future conflict. -
First General Assembly of The League of Nations
The League of Nations deemed World War I "The war to end all wars" and researched into what exactly caused the conflict and ways to mediate such conflict should it arise again.
