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Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
Austria-Hungary announces its declaration of war on Serbia, starting alliances and starting WWI. -
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The Great War
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Declaration of War Spreads through Europe
Aug 1- Germany Declares War on Russia
Aug 3- Germany Declares War on France
Aug 4- United Kingdom Declares War on Germany after Germany invaded Belgium.
Aug 6- Austria-Hungary Declares war on Russia/ Serbia declares war on Germany. -
1st Battle of the Marne
(Sep. 5th - Sep. 12th, 1914) France's last stand against the advancing German army who had already overrun Belgium and currently threatening Paris. Having already taken heavy casualties, British and French forces met on the Marnes River, less than 40 miles from Paris, and finally halted the German offenses. This is the battle where trench-warfare was first used, throwing out any ideas of conventional warfare, and setting a new course for war. 263000 Ally, 220000 Germ casualties. -
"Lusitania" Sinks
Germany torpedoes "Lusitania", a passenger ship headed to England, under suspicion of carrying weapons. The ship carried 1,198 people, 128 of them Americans. This tremendously increased the pressure on President Wilson to enter the war. -
Battle of Verdun Begins
(Feb 21st - Dec 16th 1916) Longest single battle in WWI. The Battle of Verdun was planned by German Falkenhayn to absolutly humiliate the French by destroying them at their strongest location. Would have caused French surrender and change course of the war for Germany. 976,000 total casualties, 542,000 French, 435,000 German. -
Battle of the Somme Begins
(July 1, 1916- Nov 18, 1916) Created by British to relieve pressure off French in Verdon by British and a few French forces attacking the Germans from the North at the Somme River. This is when tanks were first introduced into war. 1,219,201 total casualties, 623,906 from Allied forces including 100 tanks and 782 aircrafts, 600,000 German casualties. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram (Zimmerman Note) was a coded message from Germany to Mexico proposing that Mexico takes sides with Germany in case of war between US and Germany. It was captured and decoded by the British, actually, on January 19, 1917 and released to Wilson on Feb. 24, 1917. The document was published to the press by March 1st. -
United States Enters the War
After recieving the intercepted Zimmerman Note, Wilson is able to persuade congress into authorizing a formal declaration of war. On April 6th, 1917, the United States Declares war on Germany. -
U.S. Troops Begin Landing in France
U.S. troops land in allied country France ready for battle shortly after Wilson formally declares war. -
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Hundred Days Offensive
Series of offensives launched by the Allied and Associated powers towards the end of WWI to finish off German lines. Included Battle of Amiens, Somme, Hindenburg Line, etc. Ended with the signing of the Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918, ending the fighting and the war. Total of 1,855,369 casualties, alllied forces sharing 1,069,636 including 127,000 Americans, and 785,733 Germans. -
Germany Surrenders (Armistice Day)
Germany surrenders to allied forces, ending the fighting in the Western Europe, compromising the war, and marking victory for the Allied forces and complete defeat for Germany. -
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Paris Peace Conference
Conference of Allied victors to set peace terms for Central Powers in Paris involving more than 32 countries and nationalities. Major Decisions included: A) Treaty of Versailles B) Awarding German and Ottoman overseas possessions as "mandates" cheilfy to Britain and France C) Imposing war repairations on Germany D) Drawing new national Boundaries.
