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Archduke Franz Ferdinand III is assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. Ferdinand's wife is also mortally wounded in the attack. This is the largest event contributing to the start of the war.
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Austria-Hungary believes Serbia's government is responsible for the death of Ferdinand. In reaction, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. This ignites allies to come to the aid of allies and truly make a world war.
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Russia sets off a chain reaction by readying its forces to aid Serbia. This causes a domino effect of other powers to aid their respective allies. This is another event that readies the powder keg that is Europe.
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German naval powers sink the Lusitania, a neutral passenger ship. There were one-hundred twenty-eight Americans on the ship. This spurs public support for the war and is the major cause of the U.S entering the war
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The British deploy the first tanks at Delville Wood. They were good at breaking barbed wire for infantry, but that was about it. They were not the decisive weapon intended in WWI, but they changed the history of combat forever.
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Congress authorizes U.S. entrance into the war. The U.S. enters on the side of the Allies. They immediately begin sending men and supplies.
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Under the new Bolshevik regime, Russia leaves the Allies and the war. They also give Germany land from Poland and Ukraine. Germany is now able to focus all their power on the west.
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This is the first major American offensive. This is also the first major play by the Americans. The Americans use their decisive win at Cantigny to go on and win more German Positions
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The Battle of Belleau Wood is a great advantage for the Allies. U.S. Marines attack Germans in an open field of wheat. This is the farthest the Germans get on their offensive to Paris.
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After Kaiser Wilhelm abdictates, other nations in the Central Powers follow suit. The Armistice is signed ending the war on the western front. The war ended with around forty million casualties.
