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The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by the Black Hand. The Black Hand wanted Serbia to be free from Austro-Hungarian rule. This set off a chain of events that led to the first world war. -
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WW1 Timespan
The first World War lasted a timespan of 4 years, 3 months, and 2 weeks. -
Neutral United States
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announced that the United States will remain neutral in the war. This was advocated by the public opinion. Despite other political figures demanding that the U.S. be prepared for war, Wilson kept the military small and made no effort. -
The Trenches
The first trenches of the Western Front were dug. Life for the soldiers in the trenches was dangerous. The trenches were riddled with disease and rats. Trench Warfare was so intense that 10% of all the soldiers who fought were killed. -
Christmas Truce
The unofficial Christmas Truce was declared by soldiers in the trenches along the Western Front. British and German soldiers from both sides met in the middle of the No Man’s Land and negotiated the truce. They took this time to bury the dead. -
Lusitania
A German U-boat sank the British ocean liner Lusitania. 1,198 passengers, including 128 Americans were killed. This contributed to America’s entry in the war. -
The Zimmerman Telegram
Germany sent the secret Zimmerman Telegram to mexico. It urged Mexico to join the war. The telegram also was an effort for Mexico to form an alliance with Germany.
Read the decoded Zimmerman Telegram here. -
America Declares War On Germany
President Woodrow Wilson requested a declaration of war against Germany. There were many reasons that supported this decision including the sinking of the Lusitania, the Zimmerman Telegram, and to spread democracy. The United States formally declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. -
Selective Service Act
On May 18, 1917, the United States passed the Selective Service Act. This allowed the Federal Government to draft men into the armed forces. The act required all men between age 21 and 30 to register for the military. -
Joseph Wehner Enlists
Joseph Wehner lived in Berlin and worked in prison camps. Upon hearing that the U.S. declared war on Germany, Wehner returned home to the states. During June of 1917, he enlisted in the Signal Corps in New York. -
The 14 Points
President Woodrow Wilson addressed to congress his 14 points to world peace. Wilson wanted to find a way where the war would end peacefully, and to ensure it would never happen again. The League of Nations was established as an organization to help keep the peace between nations. Read all of the 14 Points here. -
Wehner’s Struggle
While receiving flight training in the U.S., Joseph Wehner’s German ancestry caused an investigation that led to an arrest for suspected treason by the secret service. He departed for England, and was permitted to rejoin his unit there. -
Apart The Service
From the questioning of his loyalty, Joseph Wehner became bitter and withdrawn. He made friends with Frank Luke, another loner. They both were assigned under Harold Hartney to the 27th Aero Squadron. -
In Action
Joseph Wehner had six confirmed victories and had shot down five balloons in just three days of combat. On September 15th, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for conveying an American plane to safety from eight machines that attacked it. On the 16th, he destroyed two enemy balloons. Here is a chart listing all of Joseph Wehner's Victories. -
Joseph Wehner’s Death
Joseph Wehner was killed in action on September 18, 1918. Wehner and Frank Luke shot down two German balloons and aimed for a third. While providing cover for Frank Luke, he was shot down by Georg von Hantlemann. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles officially ended WWI. It was signed exactly five years after Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. Germany had taken the blame for the war, and agreed to pay reparations.
See all the casualties caused by the war here.
