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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
A teenage Serbian nationalist who Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, as their motorcade strolled down the streets of Sarajevo, Bosnia. Ferdinand was next in line for the Austro-Hungarian throne and was not particularly "liked" by many. His death would spark the start of WW1. The Austria-Hungary government saw it as a direct attack on the country. They believed Serbia had helped the Bosnian terrorists and at the same time Russia began to mobilize to help protect Serbia. -
Russia Mobilizes
This is when things hit the fan. The Russian army begins to move its vast army against Austria-Hungary in favor of its ally, Serbia. This step also sets off a set of chain reactions. Soon, the rest of the European powers would mobilize, which inevitably led to the outbreak of hostilities. -
World War I Begins
As Germany began mobilizing, they asked the Belgium government to allow their army through the small country but they refused, the Germans attacked almost immediately. The generals mapped out an overwhelming invasion of Belgium to shock them into submission. This invasion marked the start of World War I. -
Battle of Marne
The German army is stopped on their advance to Paris by the British and French. This marks the beginning of four long years of trench warfare. It is also the first time radio intercepts and automotive transport of troops are used during a war. -
Germans Fire
German forces shock Allied soldiers along the western front by firing more than 150 tons of lethal chlorine gas into the trenches. This resulted in the near-collapse of the French lines. However, the Germans were not able to move fast enough to take advantage of the breach. This marked the first time chemical weapons were ever used in battle. -
Lusitania Sinks
The Lusitania, a British ocean liner, is torpedoed without a warning by a German submarine off the coast of Ireland. In a matter of minutes, the liner is under the Celtic Sea. Of the 1,958 victims, 128 were American. Germany defended their action by pointing out that it was in a war zone. The sinking of the Lusitania heightened tensions between the U.S. and Germany. This helped sway American opinion in favor of joining the war. -
Germany Limits Submarines
To calm the Allies and the United States, Kaiser Wilhelm pauses unrestricted submarine warfare. Germany did not want the United Staes to join the war. Although the U.S. does stay out for a while longer, it allows American supplies to get to France and Britain. In the end, this hurts Germany. -
Tanks Make Their Debut
Tanks made their first appearance at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. Although many broke down on the field (as expected from a new machine), nearly a third succeeded in breaking through. It did a great deal to end the horror of trench warfare and allowed for the Allies to mobilize on the Western Front. -
Battle of the Somme
This was one of the largest battles of WW1, it was also one of the bloodiest military battles in history. It was the first great offensive of the war for the British. -
Zimmerman Telgram
German foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, proposes that Mexico should side with Germany in case the U.S. enters the war. In return, Germany promises to give Mexico the "lost provinces" of Texas and some of the Southwest. Mexico declines. The telegram is intercepted by British intelligence and notifies the U.S. This pushes American public opinion to support joining the war. -
Wilson for War
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asks a special joint session of Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. Congress responds a few days later and the U.S. enters the war. Germany will now have to face more pressure on the Western Front.They are outnumbered and the war becomes tight. -
Germany and Russia Peace
The Germans team up with the new Bolshevik government of Russia. The Germans move soldiers previously located on the Eastern Front to the Western Front, this causes serious problems for the Allies. On top of that, Germany is granted Ukraine and Poland. -
The Treaty of Versailles
World War I came to end once the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The Allied powers reassigned German boundaries and assignided reparations. It would leave Germany penniless and allow for the rise of Hitler.
