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1. Pre 1914 – Formation of German Empire and the Rise of Nationalism Create Tensions in Europe
Beginning in the 1860's Prussia fights to unite German states into one strong nation. National alliances result from this. A sense of nationalism grows leading various ethnic groups to seek nation status and self-determination, particularly in the Balkans. -
2.Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary is Assassinated
A Serb nationalist assassinated Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary during his visit to Sarajevo in Bosnia. This as well as another conflict in which Austria-Hungary tried to limit Serbia's growth by annexing Bosnia, lead to many declarations of war. On June 28th, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and Russia mobilized due to concern for Serbia. -
3. Germany Attacks France by Crossing Neutral Belgium
Because Germany had declared war on France, they had to cross neutral Belgium in order to attack. This was a problem because Belgium’s neutrality was guaranteed by Britain. Because of this, when Germany entered Belgium on August 4th, Britain declared war on Germany. -
4. The First Battle of the Marne is Fought
The First Battle of the Marne was fought due to German troops attempting to advance into Paris. The Germans were stopped within 30 miles by French and British troops. A stalemate resulted along the hundreds of miles of trenches making up the Western Front. Trench warfare ensued for the next 3 years. -
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5. The United States Under President Woodrow Wilson Maintains Neutrality
The United States reaction to the war was varied but the country mantained its neutrality from the start in 1914 unti its entry into the war in 1917. President Wilson stated, "We must be impartial in thought as well as in action." The problem with this was that American public opinion mostly favored the Allies. -
6. A German U-boat Sinks the Passenger Ship Lusitania
The 1914 British naval blockade of the North Sea led Germany to deploy its U-boats and announce in February 1915 that it would sink ships in British waters without warning. On May 5th, 1915, A German U-boat sinks attacks a British passenger ship known as the Lusitania. In result of sinking the Lusitania, 1200 deaths occurred, including 128 Americans. Wilson refused to fight and worked to obtain German cooperation to safeguard the lives on civilians on the seas. -
7. A U-boat Sinks the French Passenger Ship Sussex
No Specific Day In late March, 1916, a German U-boat torpedoes French passenger ship Sussex. President Wilson worked with Germany and gets the Sussex Pledge from them. No merchant ships will be sunk without proper warning from this point on. -
8. The Zimmerman Telegram is Sent to a Mexican Ambassador
The Zimmerman telegram was a message from the German diplomat to Mexico suggesting that if Mexico sided with the Central Powers, the would get back the territory they ceded to the United States in the 1840's. This upset Americans quite a bit and pushed toward the involvement of the US in the war. -
9. Germany Resumes Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Against Shipping in the Atlantic
Germany decides that all ships are to be sunk on sight in order to starve Britain into submission. They did not believe that America would enter the war because of their beliefs that the American army was weak. A total of 6 US merchant ships were sunk between February 3 and March 21, 1917. The sinking of the ships coupled with the Zimmerman telegram, leads to Wilson asking Congress for a declaration of war against Germany in April 1917. -
10. The United States Mobilizes for War by Establishing Various Boards and Passing Laws
No Specific Date It was in April of 1917 that the US mobilized for war by using the progressive concepts of scientific management and planning. They instituted the Selective Service Administration to draft men 21-30 years of age. Various boards are set up to organize industry and labor for war production. They also limited public opinion by passing the Espionage and Sedition Acts, which limited opposition to the war. -
11. The US Enters a Deadly and Destructive War Characterized by Almost 3 Years of Trench Warfare
(Mid to Late 1917 When the US entered the war they quickly discovered that old war strategies were meeting new war technologies. Charging troops were no match for an entrenched machine gun. Because of this new technology, terrible destruction and loss of life occurred. In March of 1917 Russia signed a treaty with Germany, allowing Germany to concentrate on the Western Front. Later in the 1917's Allies started using convoys to protect moving troops and materials from U-boat attacks. -
13. President Woodrow Wilson Presents His Fourteen Points for World Peace to Congress
In January of 1918, Woodrow Wilson presented his Fourteen Points for World Peace and Stability to Congress. This was presented in hopes that peace could be achieved thus ending WWI. The last point of Wilson's Fourteen Points called for the creation of a "general association of nations" known as the League of Nations. This League of Nations would address world problems in a global forum. -
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12. Germany Launches a Massive Offensive Along the Western Front and Allies Counterattack.
On March 21st, 1918, Germany launches a massive offensive along the Western Front. In late May American troops launched their first major attack against the Germans, capturing the village of Cantigny. On June first American and French troops blocked Germany's advance on Paris at Chateau-Thierry on the banks of the Marne. July 15th, Germans launched another massive attack to take Paris but the French and American troops hold. On August 8th the Allied commanders push the German army back. -
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14. An Allied Offensive is Launched Against the Germans Leading to an Armistice Agreement
During mid-September of 1918 American forces attack and drive back German forces at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. The American forces were led by General Pershing as they fought the Battle of the Argonne Forest between the Meuse River and the Argonne Forest. Allied successes lead Germany to sign armistice on November 11, 1818. -
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15. Allies Meet in Paris to Produce a Peace Treaty, the Treaty of Versailles
It was during this time in Paris that the other Allies rejected Wilson's approach to peace as being too easy on Germany. This is how the Treaty of Versailles, which stated that Germany eliminate its military, pay $33 billion in war reparations, acknowledge its responsibility for WWI, and give up some of its territory, came to be. When the treaty was presented to the US senate for approval, many reservations were expressed leading to US involvement in the League of Nations being rejected.
