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The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand + his wife Sophia (Sarajevo)
The spark that ignited the beginning of WWI -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Austria-Hungary, not satisfied with Serbia's final demand to end all debate, declares war on Serbia. -
Germany declares war on Russia
Germany (allied to Austria-Hungary by treaty), saw that Russia was helping Serbia (caused by treaty to them) , so Germany declared war on Russia, to slow down Serbia. -
France finds they are allied to Russia
France finds itself at war with Germany, and also (in extension) with Austria-Hungary, due to a treaty with Russia. Germany quickly invaded neutral Belgium, seeking the fastest way possible to get to France. -
Britain declares war on Germany
Britain, with a loosely worded treaty to France, declares was on Germany as an act to protect France. -
U.S. policy declared of absolute neutrality
President Woodrow Wilson declares the U.S. a country of absolute neutrality, an official stance.