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Triple Alliance
The Triple Alliance was a secret agreement between Germany, Austria Hungary, and Italy. Austria Hungary and Germany had been close alliances since 1879 and Italy needed support against France after it lost North African ambitions to the French. Each country promised mautaral support On May 1915, Italy entered the war in competition against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Although the treaty was renewed a lot until WW1, Italy switches to the Allied powers. -
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand decided to inspect Austro-Hungarian troops in Bosnia. The day they chose was also the same day as a national holiday in Bosnia. They created a group called the Black Hand. The Black had handed students weapons for the planned assination.A Serbian nationalist student, Gavrilo Princip assassinated Austrian Archduke Ferdinand. The Austrian government blamed the Serbian government for the assassination and declared war on Serbia. -
Poison Gas
Poison Gas was used for the first time by Germany on the western front. On the second battle of Ypres and fired 150 tons of lethal chlorine gas. It killed many British people.
(https://www.history.com/news/how-the-sinking-of-lusitania-changed-wwi) -
Lusitania sinks
The Lusitania was a passenger ship. Germany put up naval blocks and declared the waters surrounding the British isles a war zone. The lusitania took a direct hit from a German u-boat submarine without warning, killing 128 Americans. This outraged Americans but they weren’t ready to go into war yet.
(https://www.loc.gov/collections/stars-and-stripes/articles-and-essays/a-world-at-war/timeline-1914-1921/) -
Battle of Somme
Thirty-six tanks were secretly shipped to the front by Britain. But mechanical malfunctions and inexperienced crew made it less effective. It was also one of the largest battles of WW1. It was also one of the bloodiest military battles.(https://www.theworldwar.org/explore/interactive-wwi-timeline) -
U.S. President Wilson reelected
The election was held on November 7. The Democrats used the saying "He kept us out of the war" which helped him get reelected. While the Republican candidate, Charles Evans Hughes was seen as a "warmonger" and lost the election. Although in 1917 the U.S declared war on Germany. Wilson was the only sitting Democratic president to win re-election between 1832 and 1936. -
The Zimmerman
The United States is alerted about the Zimmerman telegram. In the Telegram, it reveals Germany's plot against the US. It was caught by the British intelligence service. The decoded message promised the return of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to Mexico as the reward for siding with Germany if the U.S. enters the war. -
USA declares war on Germany
In early 1917 in Germany, all allied or neutral ships were to be sunk. In only one month one million tons of shipping was sunk. The US declared war on Germany in the response of the U-boat sinkings. After all his efforts of keeping the U.S out of the War. -
First day of draft
On the first day of the draft million of men registered under the Selective Service Act that was signed on May 18. In total 9,586,508 men, ages 21 to 31, register at their local draft boards. They were greeted by military bands. By the end of the war, almost half of the people who served were drafted.
(https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-congress-passes-selective-service-act) -
Schedule of Allen Sumner
Their schedule was boring as described in his letter. They have lots of drills that they have to watch standing up yet they don't have much time for themselves. Their drills start from 9:15 until they have supper at 6:00 then study hour from 7:15 to 8:15. The officers have their room checked at 8:00 A.M and at 5:00 P.M everyday. -
Allen Sumner, attacked
Around 8:30 am they were attacked by enemy submarines. It lasted an hour and a half from when the first shot was fired. The 20th gun co. crew was the only marine crew to fire. Although the destroyer did the most work they don't think they hit since the aeroplanes came to help. They Won against the enemy. -
Moving- Allen Sumner
After they left the tranches they walked for three days and one of the days they did twenty-five miles. Then they rode on a train for a night before getting to a dirty village in France. He then had to turn in his horse because she wasn't fit for the job. They knew that there would be a big war but they didn't know when. -
On the line-Allen Sumner
They're still a little back from the front line. Allen dug a dugout under the trees with a roof of split logs and sandbags to keep him dry from the rain. Everyone carries a shovel and they come very handy. "I got a German helmet, rifle, bayonet, etc...there were many German dead and the prisoners usually throw off their helmets, throw down their rifles and then put both hands flat on top of their head"(Sumner). -
Death of Allen Melancthon Sumner, Jr.
Captain Sumner was supervising the advance of his section. During this, they came under heavy shell fire. He ordered all men to take cover and when he was watching for the signal to advance he was shot in the stomach. He was unconscious from the moment he was struck. He is buried south of the cemetery of Vierzy. -
Armistice signed
At 11 A.M in the town of Rednothes, the Armistice was signed putting an end to the War. It was also referred to Armistice of Compiègne. The terms were written by the Allied Supreme Commander. It included the withdrawal of German forces, the surrender of aircraft, warships, and military materiel, the release of Allied prisoners of war and interned civilians, no release of German prisoners and more. It needed to be prolonged three times until the Treaty of Versailles.
