ww1 timeline

By Alisha Tyrrell
  • Italy declared war on Germany and Austria

    Italy declared war on Germany and Austria

  • Francis Ferdinand assassinated at Sarajevo

    Francis Ferdinand assassinated at Sarajevo

  • Kaiser William II promised German support for Austria against Serbia

  • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

    Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

  • U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral.

  • The Battle of Tannenberg begins.

  • Battle of the Marne started

    Battle of the Marne started

  • Battle of Ypres begins.

  • The United Kingdom announces that the North Sea is a military area, effectively creating a blockade of goods into Germany.

  • The unofficial Christmas truce is declared

  • Germany declares a "war zone" around Great Britain, essentially effecting a submarine blockade where even neutral merchant vessels were to be potential targets.

  • The Dardanelles Campaign begins.

  • The Second Battle of Ypres begins. It is during this battle that the Germans first use poison gas.

  • The Battle of Gallipoli begins.

  • Russian Tsar Nicholas II abdicates.

  • The Bolsheviks successfully overthrow the Russian government during the 1917 Russian Revolution.

  • Britain captured Jerusalem from the Turks

    Britain captured Jerusalem from the Turks

  • German Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates and flees Germany

    German Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates and flees Germany

  • Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (i.e. 11 a.m. on November 11).

    Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (i.e. 11 a.m. on November 11).

  • The Treaty of Versailles officially ends WWI.

    The Treaty of Versailles officially ends WWI.

    The final Allied push towards the German border began on October 17, 1918. As the British, French and American armies advanced, the alliance between the Central Powers began to collapse. Turkey signed an armistice at the end of October, Austria-Hungary followed on November 3.

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