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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. This event directly triggered World War I as Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, leading to a chain reaction among allied nations. History.com Editors. "The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand." History, AE Television Networks, https://www.history.com/news/the-assassination-of-archduke-franz-ferdinand. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
Start of World War I
Following the assassination, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Due to complex alliances, major powers like Germany, Russia, France, and Britain were drawn into the conflict, marking the beginning of World War I. History.com Editors. "World War I History." History, AE Television Networks, https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A German U-boat torpedoed the British passenger ship Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. This act increased anti-German sentiment in the U.S. and pushed the country closer to joining the war.
History.com Editors. "How the Sinking of Lusitania Changed WWI." History, AE Television Networks, https://www.history.com/news/how-the-sinking-of-lusitania-changed-wwi. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
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Battle of Verdun
One of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War I, the Battle of Verdun was fought between France and Germany. Over 700,000 casualties resulted, symbolizing the brutality of trench warfare. -
Battle of the Somme
This major Allied offensive aimed to break German lines. The first day alone saw 57,000 British casualties, making it one of the deadliest battles in history. The battle showcased the devastating power of modern warfare, including tanks.
History.com Editors. "Battle of the Somme." History, AE Television Networks, https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/battle-of-the-somme. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
Russian Revolution Begins
Due to war hardships, food shortages, and poor leadership, the Russian people revolted against Tsar Nicholas II. He was forced to abdicate, and a provisional government was formed. This marked the first stage of the Russian Revolution.
Miami University. "1917 Centennial." Havighurst Center for Russian and Post-Soviet Studies, https://miamioh.edu/cas/centers-institutes/havighurst-center/additional-resources/havighurst-special-programming/1917-centennial/index.html. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
U.S. Enters World War I
After repeated German submarine attacks on American ships and the discovery of the Zimmermann Telegram (a German proposal for Mexico to attack the U.S.), the United States declared war on Germany, significantly boosting the Allies.
National WWI Museum and Memorial. "U.S. Enters the War." The World War, https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/about-wwi/us-enters-war. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
Bolshevik Revolution
Led by Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian Provisional Government, establishing a communist regime. Russia then exited World War I, significantly impacting the war’s dynamics.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Russian Revolution." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/event/Russian-Revolution. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
Germany Signs Armistice
After suffering heavy defeats and internal unrest, Germany agreed to an armistice, effectively ending World War I. The ceasefire took effect at 11:00 AM on November 11, now commemorated as Armistice Day.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Armistice." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/armistice-law. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
Spanish Flu Pandemic
As World War I ended, a deadly influenza pandemic spread worldwide, infecting one-third of the global population and killing millions. The pandemic hit war-weakened nations especially hard. History.com Editors. "How the Spanish Flu Pandemic Changed the World." History, AE Television Networks, https://www.history.com/news/spanish-flu-pandemic-dead. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
Paris Peace Conference
World leaders met in Paris to negotiate peace terms. The conference resulted in the Treaty of Versailles and other treaties that reshaped Europe and the Middle East, but it also sowed seeds of future conflicts.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Paris Peace Conference." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/event/Paris-Peace-Conference. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
19th Amendment Proposed in the U.S.
The 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, was passed by Congress. It was ratified in 1920, marking a major victory for the women’s suffrage movement in the United States.
National Park Service. "2020 Crash Course." National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/articles/2020-crash-course.htm. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
Treaty of Versailles Signed
The Treaty of Versailles officially ended the war. It placed heavy reparations on Germany, reduced its military, and redrew European borders. The treaty’s harsh terms contributed to tensions leading to World War II.
History.com Editors. "Treaty of Versailles." History, AE Television Networks, https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/treaty-of-versailles-1. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
German Weimar Republic Established
Germany transitioned from a monarchy to a democratic republic, known as the Weimar Republic. Economic struggles and resentment over the Treaty of Versailles made it unstable, eventually paving the way for Adolf Hitler’s rise. Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Weimar Republic." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Weimar-Republic. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. -
League of Nations Formed
Proposed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, the League of Nations was established to prevent future wars through diplomacy. However, the U.S. never joined, weakening its effectiveness.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. "League of Nations." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/League-of-Nations. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.