World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, and the Great Depression By DanielSmee Jun 28, 1914 The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie Jun 28, 1914 WWI begins Jul 15, 1914 Germany's Blank Check to Austria-Hungary May 7, 1915 Sinking of the Lusitania Jan 1, 1917 Zimmerman Telegram Feb 1, 1917 Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare Jun 28, 1919 Treaty of Versailles Sep 6, 1919 Rise of Hitler Aug 6, 1924 Dawes Plan and Young Plan Oct 6, 1929 Great Depression