WWI Timeline

  • Archduke Assassination

    Archduke Assassination

    The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife by a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. It affected the U.S. by being the triggering event to the start of the war.
  • Neutrality of the U.S.

    Neutrality of the U.S.

    Woodrow Wilson declared the United State's neutrality in the war. This kept the U.S. out of the war, and allowed them to focus on more domestic problems.
  • Declaration of War

    Declaration of War

    Great Britain declared war on Germany. This is significant to the U.S. because it pushed the country towards being on the Allies' side, leading to increase in trade with Britain and France, and leading to the U.S. joined WWI on the Allies' side.
  • Germany Invades Belgium

    Germany Invades Belgium

    Germany was following the Schlieffen Plan, and invaded Belgium to quickly attack France. This caused empathy to grow for the Allies, contributing to the United States' decision to join the war.
  • Sinking of the Lusitania

    Sinking of the Lusitania

    A German U-boat sank the British passenger ship, the Lusitania, causing a large loss of life and considerably increasing tensions between the U.S. and Germany. This was significant to the United States because it was a key factor in their decision to ditch the idea of neutrality and join the war.
  • U.S. Presidential Election

    U.S. Presidential Election

    The United States held its presidential election. President Woodrow Wilson was re-elected, beating Republican candidate Charles Evans Hughes. Wilson was the first Democratic president to win a second consecutive term since 1832. Wilson's campaign used popular slogans such as "He kept us out of war" to appeal to those voters who wanted to avoid involvement in war, making the U.S. more against the idea of joining the war.
  • Zimmerman Telegram

    Zimmerman Telegram

    British intelligence intercepted a telegram sent by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German ambassador in Mexico City, known as the "Zimmerman Telegram," which proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the U.S. This was significant to the U.S. because it influenced U.S. public opinion towards entering World War I.
  • U.S. Enters the War

    U.S. Enters the War

    The United States officially declared war against Germany. This is significant to the U.S. because it brought them into the conflict in the war and was just the start of it.
  • America Arrives

    America Arrives

    On June 25th, 1917, the first American troops arrive in France. The Americans arriving was a relief for the French who were struggling, and this started to turn the tables of WWI in favor of the Allies.
  • The Sedition Act

    The Sedition Act

    The United States Congress passed the Sedition Act, which made it illegal to say negative things about the U.S government or the war effort during World War I. This was significant to the U.S because it kept the public positive about the war and the United Sates, and negative propaganda or rumors couldn't spread and distract from war.
  • War Has Ceased

    War Has Ceased

    World War I officially concluded with the signing of an armistice between Germany and the Allies. After the war, the United States was left very cautious, which led to violence and discrimination against those who were being viewed as disloyal. German-Americans, immigrants, and socialists were effected the most greatly.
  • Treaty of Versailles

    Treaty of Versailles

    The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Germany and the Allied Nations, officially ending World War I. This was significant because President Wilson was a strong supporter of the treaty and the League of Nations, which he believed would prevent future wars, which the treaty established.

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