-
Franz Ferdinand Assassination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated while visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia. He was next in line for the Austro-Hungarian throne. the killings set off decades old tensions in Europe and started WWI -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife. They gave Serbia a list of demands which was refused, so Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. -
First use of gas weapon by the Germans
Poison gas was first used by the Germans which could seriously injure and even kill anyone who breathed it in. -
Sinking of the Lucitania
A German U-Boat torpedoed the "passenger ship" called the Lucitania after President Woodrow Wilson threatned that the U.S would hold Germany responsible for any American lives lost in submarine attacks. -
Wilson reelected, pledged American neutrality
When Wilson was reelected he pledged neutrality because America was made up of lots of immigrants all favoring different sides of the war because it might regard their beliefs from the place they were from. Wilson knew there would be controversy if the U.S joined a side in the war. -
U.S declares war
There were many reasons that just added up to America joining the war but the reason that made america join the war was the Zimmerman Note which was a telegram from Germany to Mexico saying they would want to be in an alliance if America joined the war, also Russia changing from an autocracy to a more democratic government, and lastly when German U-Boats sank four american ships which resulted in thirty-six American deaths. By then Wilson could not stay neutral any longer and declared war -
Zimmerman Note
The Zimmerman Note was a note from Germany to Mexico asking to be allies saying if America joins war. This note angered many americans and caused many to want to join war. -
Bolsheviks led by Lenin Overthrow Russian Government
When the Russian autocracy was over thrown and Russia adopted a new, more democratic government it caused america to join war even more and Wilson argued that allies were fighting a war for democracy, making public support for war more likely. -
War ends
The ottoman empire and the austria-hungary governments surrender and the Germans give up hope on winning because the American troops and supplies had strengthened the Allied war effort and the Germans were suffering from little food and other supplies. -
Treaty of Versailles
In this treaty, Germany had to agree to some harsh conditions which were,
-they had to accept full responsibilities for the conflict
-they had to pay the allies billions of dollars
-they had to disarm completely
-they had to give up their overseas colonies and some territory in Europe
-It also carved up the Austro-hungarian and Russian empires
-it created new nations and restored old ones.
Wilson did end up getting Germany and the allies to sign but then was rejected by the league of nations.