World War I

Franz Ferdinand Assassination

Jun 28, 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated while visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia. He was next in line for the Austria-Hungarian throne. The killings set off decades of old tensions in Europe and started WWI.

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

A Serbian man named Gavrilo Princip fired the shots that killed Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination of the royal couple. Serbia wanted to bring down the Austria-Hungarian Empire and unite the Slavs.

First use of gas as a weapon by the Germans

Apr 22, 1915

Germans first used poison gas against Allied troops. This gas could kill or seriously injure anyone who breathed it. Allies began to use the poison gas as well. To protect themselves, soldiers began carrying gas masks.

Sinking of the Lusitania

May 7, 1915

Germany could not match Great Britain's blockade. Germany did however have the U-boat. Germany threatened to sink any vessels that entered or left British ports. President Wilson warned that Germany was responsible for any American lives lost in U-boat attacks. Germany ignored Wilson's threat and a German U-boat torpedoed the British liner the Lusitania near the coast of Ireland killing 1,198 people including many Americans.

Italy declares war with Austria-Hungary

May 23, 1915

After Italy refused to honor its alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, they joined the Allies and created a new front in the war.

Wilson Reelected; pledged American neutrality

Nov 7, 1916

President Wilson wanted the United States to stay neutral in the war in Europe. He thought the war did not concern the U.S. and many Americans supported this view. One third of 92 million people who where immigrants or who were born from immigrants favored the Central Powers while more Americans favored the Allies. President Wilson once said "Everything I love most in the world is at stake."

Zimmermann Note

Jan 16, 1917

British agents intercepted a telegram sent by Germany to Mexico. It was offering to alliance with Mexico against the United States if they ever entered the war. This was named after the man who sent the telegram, Arthur Zimmermann.

U.S. declares war

Apr 2, 1917

President Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war because of Germany's sinking of passenger and merchant ships with Americans aboard and its attempt to form an alliance with Mexico against the United States.

Selective Service Act

May 18, 1917

Congress passed the Selective Service Act, which set up a military draft. Millions of men aged between 21 and 30 registered in the draft. Three million men were called to serve and 2 million volunteered. When the war ended 24 million men had registered.

Bolsheviks led by Lenin overthrow Russian government

Nov 6, 1917

Russia over threw their monarchy, which was lead by a Czar. In place of the monarchy Russians set up a provisional government promising free elections. Russia changed from an autocracy to a more democratic government.

War ends

Nov 11, 1918

Germany signed an armistice with representatives of France, Great Britain and Germany, which officially ended the fighting of WWI.

Treaty of Versailles

Jun 28, 1919

World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. With its harsh demands, Germany had to accept full responsibility for the war and they had to pay the Allies billions of dollars in reparations. Germany also had to give up overseas colonies and territories. It created some new nations and renewed old ones. Wilson was able to get his League of Nations added into the treaty. He believed that the League would correct any mistakes in the rest of the treaty.