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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated by Gavrillo Princep, a member of the secret society, The Black Hand, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. -
Austria-Hungary Presents an Ultimatum
Austria-Hungary took the opportunity provided by Ferdinand's murder to tighten it's hold on Serbia and crash it's nationalist movement. They issued a lengthy document to the Serbian government and demanded a response by July 25. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
In response to the rejection of their ultimatum, Emperor Franz Josef declares war on Serbia. -
Russia Mobilizes
Russia, bound by treaty to Serbia, begins to mobilize it's large army, a task that will take several weeks. -
Germany Threatens War
Austria-Hungary's ally, Germany, threatens to take action against Russia if they do not cease their defense of Serbia. -
Germany Declares War
Russia continues mobilisation and Germany declares war -
France Get Caught in The Crossfire
Bound by treaty to Russia, France suddenly finds itself at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary. -
Germany Invades Neutral Belgium, Incites War with Britain
After Germany invades Belgium, Britain is bound by 'moral obligation' to defend the neutral country. They declare war on Germany and, by extension, Austria-Hungary. -
Britain's Colonies And Dominions Drawn Into War
Canada, New Zealand, India, Australia and The Union of South Africa are drawn into the going conflict in Europe. -
U.S. Declare Absolute Neutrality
President Woodrow Wilson declares U.S. policy of absolute neutrality, a stance that would hold true until 1917 -
Japan Declares War on Germany
Japan, in a military treaty with Britain, declares war on Germany. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Japan
In response to Japan's declaration, Austria-Hungary takes action against them. -
The First Battle of Marne
Lasting 4 days, The First Battle of Marne called a halt to the German advance and signalled the beginning of trench warfare on the Western Front. -
The First Battle of Ypres
After defeat at Marne, Germany raced through Belgium to The North Sea, where they captured the city of Ypres. The French and British armies followed and thus began a bitter and gruelling entrenchment that would last until the end of the War. -
The Second Battle of Ypres
The Germans start experimenting with chlorine gas in an effort to distract the Allies from the Eastern Front. Released in the early hours of April 22, 10,000 men were effected, half of whom died within ten minutes of the attack. Another 2,000 were taken as POWs. Gas warfare was then used heavily by the Allies until the end of the war. -
The Lusitania is sunk
A British ocean liner, The Lusitania, is struck by a German submarine and sinks in The North Atlantic. Among the 1,200 passengers lost, 128 were American, sending the American people into an uproar and putting pressure on the President to take retalitory action. -
Italy Joins War
Previously able to refrain from coming to the aid of allies Germany and Austria-Hungary, they are compelled by British promises of land and wealth to join The Allies in the spring of 1915. -
Battle Of Verdun
With the Germans attempting to take the offensive on the Western Front, The Battle of Verdun took 10 months, with severe casaulties on both sides. Germany estimated 430,000 lost, and France lost 540,000 soldiers. By November, France had reclaimed all ground taken by the Germans, setting them -
The Battle of The Somme
58,000 British troops lost on the first day of battle, a record that would hold to the end of the war. Even with the tragic loses of the first day, fighting continued until 18 November, when the battle was called off due to snow. The Allies had gained 12 km and lost upwards of 600,000 soldiers. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The German Empire sends a telegram to Mexico, urging them to take up arms against The United States, promising military support. Britain intercepts and decodes the telegram. -
U.S Enters The Fray
After increasing submarine warfare threatens U.S shipping industry, The United States declares war on Germany. -
The Battle of Vimy Ridge
All four divisions of the Canadian Corps work together for the first time in the War to capture Vimy Ridge. Working independently from Britain, this is considered a critical moment in Canada's journey to autonomy. After the unprecendented victory, Canada achieved a new found place of respect within the Allies. -
The Thrid Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele
Launched by the Allied Forces, the fighting continued until November, with severe casaulties on all sides - 310,000 British Forces as well as 240,000 German. There is still debate today whether it was a worthwhile effort. Canada played a large part in capturing Passendaele, sacrificing 15,000 soldiers in the process. -
The October Revolution
The economic strain and discomposure of mobilization proves too much for the Russion people, who overthrew the Tsarist autocracy earlier that year, and they organize into revolution, displacing the autocracy and installing a prodominently Soviet government. Russia was forced to withdraw from the war to handle it's troubles at home and sign an armistice with the German Empire. -
The Battle of Cambrai
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The Second Battle of Marne
Attempting to divide the French army, Germany led a diversionary attack on Allied Forces on The Marne. Their intent was to distract from their battle at Flanders, however, not only did they fail, but they lost significant ground, leading many German leaders to believe the War had finally been lost. -
Armistice Day
World War I ends on November 11 at 11am. -
Treaty of Versaille is Signed
The Treaty of Versailles is signed at The Paris Peace Conference. -
The League of Nations is Formed
The League of Nations is formed after the Paris Peace Conference in an attempt to temper the possibility of another worldwide conflict. However, the League was severely hampered by The United States refusal to join, and the barring of Germany and Russia. Though the intention was sound, the ineffectiveness of the League caused it to dissolve during WWII. -
The Chanak Crisis
Canada asserts it's autonomy is foreign policy, insisting on Parliamentary debate in Ottawa before lending Britain aid in Turkey. -
Russian Civil War Ends
The Russian Civil War ends with the Communist Party in power, lead by Vladimir Lenin. -
The Beer Hall Putsch
Adolf Hitler and General Ludendorf lead 2000 revolutionaries through the streets of Munich, intent on a coup by the Nazi party. Through the rebellion failed and Hitler imprisoned, he considered this a success, as he was granted the attention of the nation and was able to write 'Mein Kampf', a book which would publicize his nationalist sentiments to a demoralized nation. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
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Conference For The Reduction and Limitation of Armaments
Wildly unsuccessful, the League Of Nations attempted a worldwide disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland. Though they talked a good talk, most nations were unwilling to leave themselves 'defenseless', causing massive delays. The talks finally dissolved in October 1933, when Hitler withdrew Germany from the talks and the League of Nations. It may sporadically after and was officially ceased on 1 May, 1937. -
Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany
In an attempt to mitigate the chaos that has gripped the German government, President von Hindenburg declares Hitler the Chancellor, starting him on the path to dictatorship. -
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Spanish Civil War
A military coup strikes a match between Nationalist and Rebulicans. The Nationalist, led by Franco Nero, win in 1939 and Franco rules Spain until his death in 1975. -
Germany Annexes Austria
Hitler makes a bid for control in Austria, pressuring Austria President Schuschnigg into resigning and urging Austrians not to resist the annexation. Hitler installs a Nazi government and would maintain control of Austria until 1945, when the Allies declare the Anschluss void. -
Italy and Germany Ally
Mussolini promises to fight alongside Hitler in the event of a European war. -
Hitler and Stalin Make a Deal
In a bid to distract Russia from Poland, Hitler make a Nonaggression Pact with Stalin. -
Germany Invades Poland
The War begins in earnest when Hilter's forces invade Poland. -
Britain Declares War
France and Britain issue an ultimatum to German, requiring the evacuation of German troops from Poland. At 11:15 am on 3 Sep, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announces that Britain is now at war with Germany. -
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Auschwitz
Auschwitz is used as a death camp for enemies of the Nazis. Prisoners were liberated by Russia troops in January 1945. At least 1.1 million people were murdered. -
Germany Storms France, Belgium and Luxembourg
After invading Norway and Denmark in April, Germany invades France, Belgium and Luxembourg. -
Operation Dynamo
After facing crushing defeat at the hands of the German forces, Allied troops leave Dunkirk and retreat to Dover. -
Italy Joins the War
Mussolini declares war on the Allied forces, cementing it's position in the Axis in Europe. -
France Signs Armistice
After crushing defeat by Germany and the retreat of British allies, France signs an armistice with Germany. -
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The Londin Blitz
The Battle for Britain is well under way with the bombing of major British cities. 40,000 people are killed and over 2 million homes are destroyed. The bombings of Britain would continue to the end of the war. -
Tripartite
The Axis is formed when Japan signs the Tripartite Agreement with Italy and Germany. -
Germany Invades Russia
Breaking the Nonaggression Pact, Hitler sends troops to Russia and soon the Eastern Front is set ablaze. -
U.S Joins The War
Japan bombs naval base at Pearl Habour and the city of Honolulu, forcing The U.S to join the fight and bringing the European Conflict to A World War. -
Singapore Falls to Japan
The British fortress at Singapore, a heavy blow to Allied forces on the Pacific Theatre. -
Battle of The Coral Sea
Although technically a Japanese victory, the Allies considered this a strategic victory, having been the first time the Allies had stopped Japan's advance on the Pacific Theatre. -
The Battle of Midway
The United States delivers a devasting blow to the Japanese fleet when they defeat an attack at Midway Atoll. The Japanese fleet never truly recovers. -
Battle of Dieppe
A disasterous attempt at landing in France. The Royal Air Force failed to lure the Luftwaffe into combat, and the Allies were forced to retreat after only 5 hours of battle. 3,367 of the 6,086 men who made it ashore were killed. -
Surrender At Stalingrad
After a long and arduous battle, the German forces surrender to Russia. This marks the first surrender of Germany and a turning point in the European Theatre. -
Italy Surrenders
Italy surrenders to the Allies and allows them to enter over sea from Tunisia. Germany responds by invading Italy from the north, desperate not to loose its foothold to the Balkans. Although Italy surrendered, the war was far from over. -
D-Day
Part of Operation Overlord, D-Day, or Operation Neptune, marks the beginning of the end of the war. Nearly 3 million Allied troops go on to retake large portions of Normandy and Brittany, forcing the Nazis to retreat. -
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Operation Overlord
Conceived at the Trident Conference in 1943, Operation Overlord involved a multi pronged invasion of Normandy by the Allies Forces. This was a turning point in the European Theatre, marking the begining of the end for Germany. -
German Occupation of Paris Ends
After four years of occupation, Paris is liberated by Allied Forces. -
Battle of The Bulge
Fought in the forests of Ardennes region. It was the bloodiest battle fought by the United Statesduring World War II, with approximately 200,000 casualties on both sides. -
Mussolini's Death
Mussolini was captured by Italian partisan's as Allies closed in on Milan. He was excuted the following day in Giulino. Minister of Defenxe, Rudulfo Graziani, surrendered to the Allies shortly thereafter. -
German Forces in Italy Surrender
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Suicide of Hitler
Adolf Hitler commited suicide in a bunker in Berlin. His long time partner and new wife, Eva Braun, killed herself moments later. -
German Forces in Berlin Surrender
Nazi defenders of Berlin surrender to Soviet Forces. However, fighting continues to the west, some of the troops intent on surrendering to the British instead of the Russians. -
V-E Day
By May 8, all German forces in Europe had surrendered, giving the Allies a decisive victory and ending the war in Europe. It would still be 4 months before Japan surrenders. -
Allies Meet In Potsdam
Allied leaders meet in Potsdam, Germany to draft and issue ultimatum to Japan. Japan do not respond. -
Tragedy at Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Nearing the end of the war, the United States Air Force drops an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Three days later, they hit Nagasaki. Approximately 129,000 people are killed. -
Japan Surrenders
Months after V-E Day and in the wake of tragedy at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrenders to the Allies. World War II is officially over.
