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Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungary's throne, and his wife, Sophie, are assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip while the couple were visiting Sarajevo.
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia for killing the archduke.
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Germany declares war on Russia.
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Germany declares war on France.
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The United Kingdom declares war on Germany, after Germany invades Belgium. UK is promised to protect Belgium's neutrality,
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- Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia and Serbia declares war on Germany.
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U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral. Won't fight until they have a reason.
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Trench warfare begins as soldiers on both sides dig in.
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Essentially effecting a submarine blockade where even neutral merchant vessels were to be potential targets.
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Took place in the Ottoman Empire
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The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania is sunk by German U-boat, U-20.
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The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War I and was one of the bloodiest.
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The major naval battle of the war, begins.
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During the Battle of the Somme, tanks are first introduced into battle.
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Germany sends the secret Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in an effort to entice Mexico to join the war. The British intercept and decipher the coded message. Big reason for the US going to war.
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The United States declares war on Germany for multiple reasons.
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Bolsheviks successfully overthrow the Russian government during the 1917 Russian Revolution.
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U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issues his Fourteen Points to peace.
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It is a peace treaty between Russia and the Central Powers.
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Germany launches the Spring Offensive. Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht. German attacks along the Western Front .
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The Treaty of Versailles ends WWI. , Germany and the Allied Nations (including Britain, France, Italy and Russia) signed the Treaty of Versailles