-
1914 - Franz Ferdinand Assassination
The Archduke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand, was shot to death while with his pregnant wife. The killing of his wife also resulted in the his heir to throne being killed. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The killings started a chain reaction that led to the outbreak of World War I. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Germany was allied with Austria-Hungary and Russia is allied with Serbia. The declaration of war between Serbia and Austria-Hungary brought in all their allies. -
The First Battle of Marne
The Battle of Marne was fought in France. The battle stopped Germans from advancing throughout France and stopped them from invading the outskirts of Paris.The battle established the lines that led to trench warfare.The Battle of Marne was a major victory during World War One for the Allied Powers. -
The Christmas Truce
Arrangements were made between both sides during the war to stop and collect the dead in no man's land. Negotiations soon began to seize fire on Christmas day. Both sides got up from beneath the trenches and they began playing games and exchanged gifts on no mans land. -
German Gas Attacks at Ypres
The German army used chlorine gas against the French arm in Ypres. French soldiers saw a yellow smoke and just assumed the Germans were coming up behind the smoke to attack. When the gas reached the French they started complaining about pains and burning. They were dying a slow death because the gas was destroying there respiratory system. -
Italy Declares War on Austria-Hungary
Italy was a member of the "Triple Alliance" along with Germany and Austria-Hungary. The Allied forces approached Italy with a deal. If Italy declared war on the Triple Alliance within a month, they would earn a large increase in their territories. -
Edith Cavell Execution
After Germany invaded Belgium, Berkendael was turned into a Red Cross hospital for soldiers who were injured regardless of their nationality. Edith Cavell was arrested by the Germans and was charged with having helped over 200 allied soldiers escape. She was kept in solitude and was tricked by the Germans into confessing. She was tried by court and was found guilty. She was sentenced to death. -
Lord Kitchener Killed at Sea
Kitchener boarded the Hampshire to on a diplomatic mission to Russia. While travelling off the Orkney islands The Hampshire was sunk by a german mine. Which killed Kitchener and his colleges. -
United States Troops Arrive at France
During World War One The first 14,00 troops arrive in France. They troops arriving were being drafted from age 18. The landing site had been kept secret because of the threatening submarines of the Germans. The "doughboys" were untrained ill equipped, and were far from ready for difficulties they would face in fighting. -
Battle of Cambrai
The Battle of Cambrai was a british attack on the western front during WW1. The battle marked the first effective use of tanks in warfare. The Battle demonstrated the evolution of technology and tactics on the western front that would eventually end the stalemate of trench warfare. -
Woodrow Wilson Announced 14 Point Peace Program
The 14 points were compiled by a group of US foreign policy experts. Wilson insisted his 14 points should serve as a base for the signing of the Armistice.
- Point 1 renounced secret treaties
- Point 2 dealt with freedom of the seas
- Point 3 called for the removal of worldwide trade barriers
- Point 4 advocated arms reductions
- Point 5 suggested the international arbitration of all colonial
disputes.
- Points 6-13 focused on specific territorial issues -
Paris Peace Conference
The Peace Conference took place in Versailles right outside of Paris. The goal of the conference was to establish the terms of the peace after WW1. Nearly 30 nations participated, but the representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and the United States became known as the "Big Four". The "Big Four" were the dominant leaders that lead to the making of the Treaty of Versailles. -
The Signing of The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty ended war between Germany and the Allied Powers. The Treaty was signed exactly 5 years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Many requirements came along with the Treaty, but the most important one was "Germany accept the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage".
