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Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was killed in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. Members of the Serbian nationalist group, the Black Hand, carried out the attack. This assassination triggered a series of alliances and military mobilizations throughout Europe. Austria-Hungary held Serbia responsible for the assassination. This event is seen as the main cause of World War I. -
The Battle of Tannenberg, between Germany and Russia. German generals Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff led their army to a huge victory over the Russian Second Army. The Russians lost a lot of soldiers, with about 90,000 captured. This win made the German soldiers feel proud and confident, while the Russians became discouraged. The battle also made Hindenburg and Ludendorff famous as important leaders in Germany. -
The Lusitania was a British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-boat. Nearly 1,200 people were killed, including 128 Americans. The attack shocked the world and made many people turn against Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare. It was one of the big reasons the United States eventually entered the war. Germany claimed the ship was carrying weapons, but the loss of so many lives caused outrage. -
The Battle of Verdun was one of the longest and toughest battles of World War I. Germany wanted to weaken France by causing as many losses as possible. French forces, led by General Pétain, famously said, “They shall not pass.” The fighting lasted almost ten months, and both sides lost over 700,000 soldiers. Verdun became a symbol of French courage and pride. -
The Lafayette Escadrille was a group of American pilots who volunteered to fight for France in 1916 before the U.S. joined World War I. The squadron was led by French Captain Georges Thenault. All Americans trained under French flying rules. Thirty-eight Americans served in the unit, with nine killed in action. They officially counted 199 enemy planes taken down by the Lafayette Escadrille. -
The Battle of the Somme was one of the deadliest battles of World War I. British and French forces worked together to attack German positions in northern France. On the very first day, the British suffered over 57,000 casualties. The battle also introduced tanks as a new weapon in warfare. Even though so many lives were lost, the attack helped ease the pressure on the French at Verdun. -
The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, after Germany started attacking ships without warning again. The sinking of ships like the Lusitania and the revelation of the Zimmermann Telegram, in which Germany encouraged Mexico to attack the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson described the war as a chance to “make the world safe for democracy.” America’s involvement gave the Allies a huge boost in soldiers and supplies, changing the course of the war. -
Doyen arrived at fort on May 11, 1917. Doyen said it was cold for may and that the first days were hard but it gradually got better. They trained at the fort and worked all day. Doyen said that he truly enjoyed it. Doyen and his friend cappy were sworn in the next day on the 12th. -
The first American soldiers arrived in France to help the Allies during World War I. Their arrival boosted the Allies and showed that the U.S. was committed to winning the war. The American Forces were led by General John J. Pershing. Before going into combat in 1918, the soldiers trained hard to get ready. Their presence helped tip the balance in favor of the Allies. -
Germany launched the Spring Offensive hoping to win the war before American soldiers could arrive in large numbers. Their attacks along the Western Front worked, and they gained a lot of ground. The German army grew tired and couldn’t keep pushing forward. In the end, the failed offensive marked the beginning of Germany’s downfall in the war. -
"I hope to God that I may turn out to be a good pilot and get my share of the ----- there isn't a name hard enough you can call them." (Letter to his wife). He wrote over 100 letters to his wife. They were later discovered in 1992. His biggest fear was getting shot down. He served in France from December 1917 till January 1919. -
The Hundred Days Offensive was a series of attacks by the Allies that pushed German forces back. It was the last big phase of fighting on the Western Front. The Allies moved quickly using soldiers, tanks, and airplanes together. German morale collapsed, and their troops started retreating toward Germany. This offensive helped lead directly to the Armistice in November 1918, ending World War I. -
The Armistice was the agreement that ended the fighting between Germany and the Allies in World War I. It officially started at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. Under the deal, Germany had to pull back its soldiers and give up its weapons. People across the Allied countries celebrated as the war finally ended. The Armistice also led to the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.