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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated by a Serbian assassin. This creates tension between Austria and Serbia. Austria gives Serbia a list of demands. Serbia doesn't comply. This is important because this leads to the beginning of World War I. -
The Beginning of World War I
Austria declares war on Serbia. Russia comes to defend Serbia, its ally. This is important because World War I has begun and the eventually countries around the world will be in battle. -
The Schleiffen Plan
The Central Powers and the Allied Powers are formed and the Schleiffen Plan is created. This makes the Germans fight their way into France on the Western Front and into Russia on the Eastern Front. This is important because this meant that the German army would be split into two halves, fighting a two front war. -
The Battle of the Marne
The Allies attacked the Germans northeast of Paris, in the valley of the Marne River on the Western Front. This is important because it means that the Central Powers have started attacking into one of the major powers’ homeland. -
The Battle of Limanowa
The Austrian army- with assistance from Germany- managed to turn the tide on the Eastern Front in a 17-day battle near Limanowa. Two weeks later, Austria pushed the Russians out of Austria-Hungary. This is important because this means that the Allies are being pushed out of the Central Powers' land and into their own on the Eastern Front. -
Gallipoli Campaign
The Allies believe that if they capture Dardanelles, they could easily capture Constantinople. This effort was known as the Gallipoli campaign. The Allies finally gave up in December. This is important because the Allies suffered a massive loss. -
The Battle of Verdun
The French and German armies fight at the Battle of Verdun. Each side has over 300,000 casualties. This is important because the loss of both sides were extremely massive. -
The Battle of the Somme
The British army tried to relieve the pressure on France. The British forces attacked the Germans in the valley of the Somme River. This is important because each side had suffered over half a million casualties. -
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The Germans announce their new policy called unrestricted submarine warfare. This meant they would sink any ship in British waters without warning. This is important because trading could go on in Britain, passenger ships were in danger, and the British military was difficult to mobilize. -
The United States Joins the War
The British intercept a telegram from Arthur Zimmermann, a German ambassador. He is telling Mexico to join the Central Powers and attack the US after the war is over. President Wilson asks Congress to declare war. The United States enter the war on the side of the Allies. This is important because it shifted the war in favor of the Allies. -
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Communist leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin seized power of Russia. He insisted on ending his country’s involvement in the war. Russia and Germany sign a truce. This is important because the Allies lost one of their major powers. -
The Second Battle of the Marne
The Allies and the Germans fight at the Second Battle of the Marne. Allied forces begin to advance into Germany. This is important because it is the last major battle before the end of World War I. -
World War I Comes to an End
World War I came to an end from an armistice signed by a representative of the German government and Marshal Foch, the French commander of the Allied forces. This is important because it ended fighting all over the world. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles is signed by Germany and the Allied Powers. This treaty is extremely harsh and left the Central Powers feeling angry. This is important because this mistreatment is one of the sparks the started World War II.