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WWI
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Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hugarian Empire, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. He wanted Serbia to be free from Austria-Hungary. This triggered World War One. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War
Austria-Hungary blames Serbia for the attack and issues an ultimatum. The terms were too harsh for Serbia to accept and Austria-Hungary declared war after they declined. This triggers all the other countries allied with Serbia and Austria-Hungary to join the war within a week because of their alliances. -
Shlieffen Plan
This was an agressive military strategy that involved fighting on two fronts. They would fight Russia in the east and invade France in the west by fighting through Belgium. Germany thought this was going to be a quick war to win using this plan because they thought they could strike before they are prepared. -
First Battle of the Marne
The battle confronted the invading Germans with French and British forces. They pushed the Germans out of northeastern France. The defeat of the Germans meant that their plans for a quick was was thwarted. -
Gallipoli Campaign
This was the invasion of the Gallipoli peninsula by the Allied forces. The end result was the Allied forces making a full retreat after taking 250,000 casualties. This was a failure in the objectives of the campaign. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
Germans were using submarines and U-boats to sink merchant ships going to Great Britain. Then, the sinking of the Lusitania caused protest from the American population and turned the favor of war. The sinking of more ships ended in the U.S. declaring war on Germany. -
US enters the War
The US declares war on Germany after they sunk more American ships. The sinkings caused outrage in the nation and turned their favors against Germany. Woodrow Wilson gave the speech of declaration of war on Germany. -
Russian Revolution
After multiple defeats against the Germans, the Russian population began to become angry at their controlling regime. This was answered with the uprising of Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Lenin then made an armistice with the Central Powers. -
Second Battle of the Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne was the turning point of the war. The tides shifted towards the Allied forces and they were able to eventually regain most of France and Belgium back from the Germans. This caused the Central Powers to slowly fall apart. -
Armistice
The Turks were the first to sign a treaty with the Allies and Austria-hungary was falling part as well. They eventually came to an armistice after nationlist movements within the empire cut itself apart. Germany finally agreed to an armistice after the ran out of allies and resources. -
Treaty of Versailles
This treaty was meant to protect from another devastating war in the future. Germany felt tricked into signing the treaty with the heavy reparations, war guilt, and denied entrance into the League of Nations. Years of German resentment of the treaty grew into World War II.
