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Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassination
Gavrillo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, was responsible for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. With four other members, they all failed. Gavrillo Princip's job was to "make sure the job gets done". Gavrillo assassinated both the Archduke and his wife, Sophie in Sarajevo. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia a month later. This effectively began World War I. Threatened by the Serbian ambition, Austria-Hungary determined that the proper response was to prepare for a military invasion. -
Russia Announces Troop Mobilization
Reacting to the Austrian attack on Serbia, Russia begins to full mobilization of its troops. Russia was bound determined to come to their aid in times of war. This mobilization took about six weeks. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
On July 31, 1914, Russia began to mobilize their troops. Germany viewed Russian mobilization as an act of war against Austria-Hungary. Germany replied with an ultimatum to either stop or face war, which was declared on Russia. -
Germany Declares War on France
Germany declares war on France, moving ahead with a long-held strategy conceived by the former chief of staff of the German army. -
Germany Invades Belgium
Before the Germans declared war on France, they needed a free passage across Belgium. The German government demanded this, and sent out a letter to the Belgian government for a right of free passage. The problem with this request was that Belgium was a neutral country. -
Great Britain Declares War on Germany
Despite being apart of the Triple Entente, Britain was not committed to going to war in 1914. Even when German troops invaded France and Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan, Britain did not have to go to war. In the end, Britain refused to ignore the events, when Germany attacked France through Belgium. Within hours, Britain declared war on Germany. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
Days before Lusitania was scheduled to leave New York for Liverpool, Germany reminded Americans that Britain and Germany were at war. They also warned potential travelers "vessels flying the flag of Great Britain or of any of her allies are liable to destruction". Six days after leaving New York, Lusitania took a direct hit from a German U-Boat submarine, without any warning, and sunk within twenty minutes. -
Italy Enters the War
When World War I began, Italy was a partner with the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, but decided to remain neutral. On April 26, 1915, Italy negotiated the Secret Pact of London by which Great Britain and France promised to support Italy annexing the frontier lands in return for entering the war on the Entente side. On May 3, Italy resigned from the Triple Alliance and later declared war against Austria-Hungary at midnight on May 23 -
United States Enters the War
The United States joined its allies, Britain, France, and Russia, to fight in World War I. Under the command of Major General John J. Pershing, more than 2 million U.S. soldiers fought on battlefields in France. Although U.S. President Woodrow Wilson wanted to remain a neutral country, the sinking of the Lusitania and Zimmerman Note forced their hand to enter the war.
