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Wilhelm II
Germany's kaiser decided that that his nation should also become a major sea power in order to compete more successfully against the british. -
Most Americans didnt see a reason to join a struggle 3,000 miles away.
The war didnt threaten American lives or property . -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Heir to the austian throne, visited the Bosnian capital Sarajevo. As him and his wife were going through the city, Gavrilo Princip, serbian nationalist, stepped from the crowd and shot both of them. -
Germany invades Belgium
Following the strategy known as the Schlieffen Plan. The plan called for a holding action against Russia, combined with a quick drive through Belgium to Paris. After France had fallen the two German armieswould defeat Russia, -
U-boat sank the British liner " Lusitania"
Off the coast of Ireland. 1,198 people died... 128 were Americans. -
Germany broke its promise and attacked an unarmed French passenger steamer.
80 passengers, including Americans were killed or injured. The united states once again threatened to break off diplomatic relations unless Germany changed its tactics. -
First Battle of the Somme
The battle went until mid-November. The british suffered 60,000 casualties the first day alone. -
Presidential election of 1916
The democrats renominated Wilson, and the Republicans nominated Charles Evans Hughes. -
President Wilson's delivers his war resolution.
Senators, Representatives, Ambassadors, members of the Supreme Court, and other guests went to the Capitol Building to hear it. Congress passed the resolution a few days later. -
U.S house of representatives were debating President Wilson's request for war against Germany.
It took 15 hours for them to decide whether or not to. After much debate they decided the U.S should join the fight. With this decision, the government abandoned the neutrality that America had maintained for three years. -
Selective Service Act was passed.
The act required men to register with the government in order to be randomly selected for military service. By 1918, 24 million men had registered under the act. -
President Wilson delivered the speech "Fourteen Points"
The first five points were issues that Wilson believed had to be addressed to prevent another war. -
United States launched 95 ships.
The government took over commercial and private ships and converted them to transatlantic war use. -
Alvin York killed 25 Germans
With six other doughboys they captured 132 prisoners. -
The kaiser announced that U-boats would sink all ships in british waters.
President Wilson was stunned. The Germans decision meant the the United States would go to war.