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Assassination of archduke franz ferdinand
The archduke of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Serbian revolutionist. Serbia was under the control of Austria-Hungary and wanted to be an independent country. When archduke Franz Ferdinand visited Serbia. Serbian revolutionist Gavrilo Princip opened fire killing the archduke and his wife in. Gavrilo was killed afterwards but had just committed the act that would go on to start WWI. -
Begin of WWI
Austria-Hungary, due to the attack, declared war on Serbia, Russia stepped in to defended Serbia from Austria-Hungary to reaffirm their pride after a humiliating loss to japan in a previous war. Austria Hungary then asked Germany for help in the war and they agreed, leading them later to invade neutral Belgium. This forced England to enter the war due to the fact that they had guaranteed Belgium's neutrality. Thus began WWI. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/outbreak-of-world-war-i -
The Lusitania
Due to British blockade on Germany’s shores, the Germans started using their U-boats to sink any ship in sight. The Lusitania was a passenger ship that carried 1,198 passengers 128 of which were Americans. The ship was approaching British shores when a German U-boat fired upon and sunk the ship. This infuriated the Americans and was one of the motives for the neutral U.S to have entered the war. What many people didn’t know was that the ship was carrying ammunition destined for the British. -
Germany Stops Random U-boat Attacks
After the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat, America was furious and this led Germany to promise to stop sinking random passenger ships as long as England removed their naval blockade. England did so and Germany stopped the U-boat attacks. Germany was trying to avoid America from entering the war and this proposal would help keep them out of it. -
Battle of Verdun
The Germans began the battle of Verdun, France. Verdun Became the French people’s symbol of determination to defeat the Germans and defend their nation's pride and honor. The battle went on to sustain many casualties, it was the longest battle in the war. After eleven months of fighting the french were victorious against the Germans and had all the pride and motivation to continue the war. -
Battle of Somme
In an effort to pull and weaken the German offensive in Verdun the allies started a huge offensive that opened with a large-scale artillery battle. The battle was fought through the summer and ended in November with a British gain of six miles. The casualty count was huge, 419,000 British, 194,000 French and 650,000 Germans. This battle is known as the battle of Somme, this was the first battle that the British used tanks. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/battle-of-the-somme -
Germany brings the U-boats back
Germany was between a rock and a hard place and saw their only way out was to bring back the U-boats. The submarines were the only advantage the German had upon the enemy and they thought that if they didn’t bring it back the war would be lost for sure. So Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in European waterways and Kaiser Wilhelm II gave all U-boats the order to sink any ship in sight. This act was one of the contributing factors for america getting involved in the war. -
Zimmermann telegram
The United states found out about the Zimmermann telegram which revealed Germany’s plot against America. The message was intercepted by the British and the telegram was addressed to Mexico from Germany. It offered the return of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to Mexico of they sided with Germany in the case that the Unites states joins the war. When America learned about the telegraph, there was no question, the United States were going to come out of their neutrality and enter the war. -
U.S. enters the war
The United States declare war on Germany and enters on the allies side. After the majority of congress voted for getting involved in the war, Wilson signs the declaration and the United States start immediately sending troops off to war. With an Initial army of 133,000 standing soldiers and almost no heavy artillery the U.S entered the war. millions of men were drafted into the army and started training to be deployed into battle. -
Frank Woodruff Buckles enlists
Frank Woodruff Buckles enlisted to the army at 16 years of age at Oklahoma City. He had been earlier rejected by the marine corps and the navy in various locations for being under age or too small. He was persistent and when he tried the army was finally accepted even though he was under age and under the necessary size, he was also claimed to be flat footed. He was not excited or eager to enter the war but knew it was something he needed to do. -
Frank is deployed and drives ambulances in war
He wanted to enter as soon as possible so later the year he enlisted. Frank embarked on the Carpathia to fight in the war. When he arrived he served driving ambulances and motorcycles Army's 1st Fort Riley Casual Detachment. He served first in England and later in France. -
German Kaiser abdicates
The German Kaiser abdicates and in doing that ends all German hope for victory in the war. The kaiser flees over the border to the Netherlands and lives out the rest of his life in relative peace. He later writes a memoir explaining and defending all his actions in the war. Later in the coming year Germany and the allies sign a peace treaty and the war after four years of fighting and many casualties was officially over. -
Frank is promoted to corporal
Frank Woodruff buckles was promoted to corporal in the war. After having many shocking experiences in the war like escorting German prisoners back to Germany after the armistice and feeding hungry french children. Following an honorable discharge in November 1919, he returned to the United States on the USS Pocahontas -
Frank Buckles in WWII
Frank also was a part of World War II, he was a worker for the white star steamship in the Philippines in the 1930’s and 1940’s when the japan attacked. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese and held prisoner for three years. Later on February 23,1945 he was freed in the raid at Los Banos in the Philippines. -
Frank Buckles receives a medal for his service
In 1999 the french president decided to give medals to all remaining World War I veterans. For america's help to the french he decided to include the Americans. Frank Woodruff Buckles was one of the veterans to receive a medal for his service in WWI.
