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WW1
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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo near the Latin bridge. They were assassinated by Garvilo Princip, a member of the black hand. The death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was known as "the spark" of WW1. This triggered Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia, which escalated into a broader conflict as alliances were invoked across Europe. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
After Serbia rejected an ultimatum, Austria-Hungary declared war. Russia, allied with Serbia. Serbia began to mobilize, promoting Germany to declare war on Russia. This set off a chain reaction, drawing France and Britain into the conflict. This marked the start of WW1. -
Germany invades Belgium
Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium, part of it's Schlieffen Plan to quickly defeat France, shocked the world. This action Violated international law and drew Britain into the war. The brutal treatment of Belgian civilians by German forces also became a rallying cry for Allied propaganda, framing the war as a fight against German aggression. -
First Battle of the Marne
First Battle of the Marne was a critical turning point in the war. German forces had advanced deep into France, but the French, aided by the British, launched a counteroffensive along the Marne River. The battle ended in a decisive Allied victory, halting the German advance and forcing both sides into trench warfare, which would dominate the Western Front for the remainder of the war. -
Gallipoli Campaign
The Gallipoli campaign aimed to secure the Dardanelles and open a supple route to Russia. After a failed naval assault, allied forces launched a land invasion on the Gallipoli Peninsula, facing fierce resistance from Ottoman Empire. The campaign ended in failure, with heavy casualties and a forced allied retreat. It remains one of the most significant defeats for the allies in WW1. -
Sinking of the RMS Lusitania
A German U-boat sank the British passenger liner Lusitania off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,1198 people, including 128 Americans. The attack, part of Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, outraged the U.S and shifted public opinion toward supporting the Allies, setting the stage for eventual American involvement. -
Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was one of the bloodiest battles in history, with over 57,000 British Casualties on the first day alone. The Allies launched the offensive to relieve pressure on French forces at Verdun and weaken German defenses. Despite the introduction of new weapons like tanks, the battle resulted in over a million total casualties and only minor territorial gains. It became a symbol of the horrors of trench warfare and the immense human cost of the conflict. -
Battle of Verdun
The battle of Verdun was one of the longest and most intense battles of WW1, lasting nearly 10 months. German forces aimed to "bleed France white" by targeting Verdun, a symbol of French pride and resilience. Despite suffering massive casualties, the French, held their ground, making the battle a turning point in the war. With over 700,000 total casualties, Verdun became a powerful symbol of sacrifice and the devastating cost of modern warfare. -
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution led to the fall of Tsar Nicholas ll and the end of the Russian Empire. Widespread discontent, worsened the war, sparked protests that forced Tsar to step down. In October, the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, took control, pulling Russia out of World War 1 with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918. -
The Zimmermann Telegram
The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret message from Germany to Mexico, proposing an alliance if the U.S. entered the war. In exchange for Mexico's support, Germany promised to help reclaim territories like Texas and Arizona. The British intercepted and shared the telegram with U.S., sparking outrage. -
United states Enters the war
The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, following Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare and the involvement of the Zimmermann Telegram. The Telegram, which proposed a German-Mexican alliance, outraged the U.S. and shifted public opinion. President Wilson, who had initially sought neutrality, argued that the U.S. must fight to protect democracy. American Involvement provided a crucial boost to the Allies and helped turn the tide of the war. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers, officially ending Russia's participation in WW1. In return for peace, Russia had to give up significant territories, including Ukraine and the Baltic states, to Germany and Austria-Hungary. This allowed Germany to shift its focus to the Western Front, but the treaty was later invalidated after Germany's defeat. It marked a key moment in the Russian Revolution, securing Bolshevik control over Russia. -
Second Battle of the Marne
The Seccond Battle of the Marne was a turning point in WW1, as allied forces, including fresh American troops, successfully stopped a German offensive. The battle marked the last major German push on the Western Front. The Allies launched a counteroffensive that pushed German forces back, leading to the eventual collapse of the German army. This victory set the stage for the final allied push that would end the war later that year. -
The Armistice
The Armistice signed on November 11, 1918, and ended the fighting in WW1. It required Germany to withdraw its troops and surrender key territories. the agreement stopped combat on the Western Front, marking the war's end, though the Treaty of Versailles was signed the following year to formalize peace. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles officially ended WW1 and placed full blame on Germany. It required Germany to pay reparations, reduce its military, and give up territories, including the Saar Basin and its colonies. The treaty also created the League of Nations to prevent future conflicts, though it lacked the power to enforce peace.