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Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated.
The Archduke of Austria is assassinated. Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist shot him and his wife. This causesd Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia one month later. -
Germany invades Belgium.
Immediatley after declaring war on France, Germany takes it's first steps toward defeating France by invading Belgium. This was the first step of their Schleiffen plan. -
The Germans use Chemical Weapons.
This is the first large scale use of chemical weapons. Chlorine gas was used to poison French troops causing many casualties, but the Germans couldn't take advantage of this gain. -
The Lusitania is sunk.
A German U-boat sank the British liner Lusitania on the grounds that it held ammunition. Of the 1,198 people who died, 128 were Americans. -
The Battle of Somme Begins.
This is the first battle of the war in which tanks were used. The tanks were used to "mow down" enemy soldiers and to remove barbed wire creating a path for advancing troops. -
Zimmerman Note is Recieved by Wilson.
The telegram was originaly intercepted in January, but the British didn't contact the U.S. until this date. The telegram was an agreement between Germany and Mexico saying that in return for Mexico's aid Germany would help Mexico regain territory in the U.S. -
The U.S. Joins the War.
On April sixth the U.S. joins the Allies in the fight against the Triple Alliance. This was done to make the world "safe for democracy" and protect American intrests. This ended any hope for American neutrality. -
The Bolsheviks overthrow the Russian Czar.
In the 1917 Russian Revolution a new government is established in Russia. This new government was led by Vladimir Lenin. -
The Germans and Russians declare peace.
With the recent establishment of a new government in Russia and the growing dislike of the war, Russia signes a treaty with the Triple Alliance ending Russia's involvment in the war. In the treaty the Russians lost about 1 million square miles of territory, most of their fossil fuels and industry, and one third of their population. -
The German Kaiser Abdicates.
Fleeing Germany, the German Kaiser Wilhelm the second gives up his title as German Kaiser. -
The Treaty of Versailles is signed.
At the Palace of Versailles the leaders of the participating nations meet to discuss a peace agreement. The intent was to create peace and stability in Europe along with the end of the war. Instead there was great tention with Germany taking full responsibility of the war. Many parts of the treaty were a direct attack at Germany making them pay ridiculous ammounts in reparations and limiting Germany's military.
