World War I Timeline

  • Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

    Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
    Occurred in Sarajevo when they were mortally wounded by Gavrilo Princip.
  • Great War Begins

    Great War Begins
    A war fought by the Allies which were Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the Central Powers.
  • Kaiser Declares “Open Season” on Ships

    Kaiser Declares “Open Season” on Ships
    Kaiser Wilhelm announced Germany’s intention to sink ships sailing under the flags of Britain, Russia, or France.
  • Lusitania Sunk

    Lusitania Sunk
    Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine. Almost 1,200 people were drowned.
  • Battle of the Somme

    Battle of the Somme
    Battle of the First World War fought by armies of the British and French empires against the German empire.
  • Wilson Re-Elected

    Wilson Re-Elected
    Wilson was re-elected in the 33rd presidential election.
  • Zimmerman Note Intercepted

    Zimmerman Note Intercepted
    Zimmerman instructed the ambassador to offer significant financial aid to Mexico if it agreed to enter any future US German conflict as a German ally.
  • Convoy system

    Convoy system
    Created by the British Royal Navy. All merchant ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean travel in groups under the protection of the British.
  • US Declares War on Germany

    US Declares War on Germany
    All ships trading with Britain would be targets for German submarines and be sunk without warning.
  • Selective Service Act

    Selective Service Act
    Created to raise a national army for WWI through conscription.
  • Espionage Age Passed

    Espionage Age Passed
    Prohibited forms of speech, especially regarding the government.
  • Period: to

    Flu Epidemic

    Infected around 500 million people and killed 20-50 million people.
  • Fourteen Points Speech

    Fourteen Points Speech
    Statement used for peace negotiations in order to end WWI.
  • Russia Pulls Out of the War

    Russia Pulls Out of the War
    A peace treaty was signed to end Russia’s participation in the war.
  • Sedition Act Passed

    Sedition Act Passed
    Prohibited speech that put the government or the war effort in negative light.
  • Germany Signs Armistice

    Germany Signs Armistice
    Fighting in WWI came to an end when this was signed.