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Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie are shot dead during an official visit to the Bosnian capital. -
While the war in Europe erupted, President Woodrow Wilson formally claimed neutrality, hoping that would be enough to stay out of the war. -
The Lusitania was the first ship to be sunk by the warzone restriction lines that actively affected America. The ship was carrying grain, passengers, and war supplies from Britain to America, when a German U-Boat spotted it and sunk it. Americans were outraged, as they felt it was not only an attack on Britain but America as well. It killed over 1,000 civilians, and many war and trading supplies were lost. -
On November 7th, 1916, Woodrow Wilson is re-elected to the White House for a second term of presidency. His main slogan for his campaign was, "He kept us out of war," which gained him many voters. -
January 19th, 1917, British soldiers intercept a telegram meant for German embassies in Washington, D.C. The telegram was sent by Alfred Zimmermann, who was found to be a German spy. The message showed Germany trying to contact Mexico in an attempt to be allies, and a plan to retrieve former Mexican territories from the United States. This message was brough to the attention of America, who then made it open to the public--causing an outrage. -
April 6th, 1917 is the date that the United States officially declared war on Germany, siding with the allies. -
June 25th, 1917 is when the first American troops landed in France, showcasing the seriousness of the war to Germany and the rest of the world. -
May 16th,1918 is when the United States passed the Sedition Act. This law stated that anyone who was found guilty of making false statements or denouncing the US, the government, or the flag would have a $10,000 fine, twenty or more years in jail or both. This act was aimed at pacifists and socialists, who would advocate for their rights during this time. -
November 11th, 1918, in a railcar at 5:10 am in France, the Germans sign the Armistice--which claimed that the war would now be over. This was to go into effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 am, 11/11/1918). -
At the Palace of Versailles in France, the Germans sign the Treaty--formally and officially ending the war. But there are things in the treaty written by President Wilson that Germany doesn't agree with--and they are met with outrage by the citizens of Germany.
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