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“The Spark” - The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Serbian nationalism was raging and the archduke was bombed and killed with a gun by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb. -
Period: to
1914-1919
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Germany Invades Belgium - The Schlieffen Plan
A quick strike though Belgium to Paris. Then, Germany could attack Russia. -
Lusitania Disaster
A German boat sank a British passenger boat carrying a little over 1,000 people and over 100 Americans. America became outraged and this is believed to be when American public opinion started showing dislike in the Central Powers. -
1916 Election
Woodrow Wilson, a democrat, against Charles Evans Hughes, a republican. Woodrow Wilson won with the idea that he was keeping America out of the war. -
Russian Revolution
The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, took power and destroyed the tradition of czarist rule. -
America Declares War
Wilson delivered his speech at the Capital building and declared war. He said, “The world must be made safe for democracy.” Congress passed the revolution a few days later. -
Austria - Hungary Surrenders to the Allies
Germany’s ally Austria-Hungary surrender to the Allies. And German sailors mutinied against their government. Soon other revolts were to come and this made Germany more exhausted. -
Germany Signs a Truce
Germany was exhausted after Austria-Hungary surrendered and the following revolts continued. They signed a truce to end the war. -
Treaty of Versailles
Established nine new countries, broke up the Austro-Hungarian empire and the Ottoman empire, and barred Germany from maintaining an army, required them to give Alsace-Lorraine. back to France, and forced them to pay $33 billion in reparations to the Allies. -
Armistice Day Proclamation
President Wilson proclaimed the first commendation of Armistice Day.
