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Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungary's throne, and his wife are assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip.
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. This is because the assissination of the Archduke is blamed on Serbia.
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Before, during, and after WWI
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The United Kingdom declares war on Germany. This is after Germany invades Belgium to start taking over France. The United Kingdom has an alliance with Belgium.
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U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral. He choooses to do so because the allied side, which includes Russia, does not have the same morals. This follows his foreign policy.
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The First Battle of the Marne begins. Trench warfare begins as soldiers on both sides dig in.
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The United Kingdom announces that the North Sea is a military area, effectively creating a blockade of goods into Germany. This stops the U.S. doing business with Germany due to blockage of ports.
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Germany declares a "war zone" around Great Britain, effecting a submarine blockade where even neutral merchant vessels were to be potential targets. This was unrestricted submarine warfare.
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The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania is sunk by German U-boat, U-20. This ship was a passenger ship. It killed hundreds of British citizens and Americans as well. This was one act that challenged neutrality.
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Germany sends the secret Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in an effort to entice Mexico to join the war. The British intercept and decipher the coded message. Another challenge to the neutrality of the U.S.
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The United States declares war on Germany. This is due to the destroyed ship and the Zimmerman letter, Russia'a government becoming more democratic (in line with Wilson morals), as well as many Americans wanting to get involved.
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The Second Battle of the Marne begins. This battle basically ends the war.
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The armistice agreed upon between the new Russian government and the Central Powers goes into effect. Russia goes from a more democratic government to communist and switches sides.
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Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends at 11 a.m. November 11th.
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The Treaty of Versailles officially ends World War 1.
