World War I

By dcrawford

  • Germany declares a submarine blockade of Great Britain. Any ship approaching England is considered a legitimate target.

  • Russia announces full mobilization of her armed forces.

    As an ally of Serbia Russia had to mobilize

  • Germany mobilizes her armed forces and declares war on Russia

  • Germany declares war on france

  • Germany declares war on neutral Belgium

    invades in a right flanking move designed to defeat France quickly. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany.

  • Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia

  • First Battle of the Marne halts German invasion in France.

  • First trenches of the Western front are dug.

  • Unofficial Christmas Truce declared by soldiers in the trenches along the Western Front.

  • War becomes "Total War" with German Zeppelin air raid on England

  • Allies begin nine-month battle for the Turkish peninsula of Gallipoli.

  • U-boat sinks the Lusitania. 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans die.

  • Germany responds to U.S. anger by ceasing to sink ships without warning.

  • Tsar Nicholas takes command of the Russian armies.

  • British use gas in battle near Loos, but shifting winds cause 60,000 British casualties.

  • Sir Douglas Haig becomes commander of British Expeditionary Force.

  • Allies begin withdrawal of troops from Gallipoli.

  • US President Wilson publicly warns Germany not to continue unrestricted submarine warfare policies

  • Woodrow Wilson re-elected President of the United States

    campaign slogan: "He kept us out of the war"

  • David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister of Britain.