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World War 1
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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, occurred on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. He and his wife Sophie were killed by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist group Black Hand, which sought to unify Slavic territories under Serbian rule. The assassination set off a chain of events, leading Austria-Hungary to issue an ultimatum to Serbia; Serbia's response did not satisfy Austria-Hungary, it declared war. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914, after the assassination. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for supporting the assassins and issued an ultimatum with strict demands. Serbia agreed to most demands but not all. Unsatisfied, war was declared leading to the start of World War 1. This act triggered alliances across Europe. -
German invasion of Belgium
The German invasion of Belgium occurred on August 4, 1914, during the early stages of World War 1. Germany, implemented the "Schlieffen Plan", which aimed to quickly defeat France by invading through neutral Belgium. Germany demanded passage through Belgium, but Belgium refused, valuing its neutrality. This violation prompted Britain to declare war on Germany, further escalating the war. -
Battle of the Marne
The battle of the Marne, fought from September 6 to 12, 1914, was a key battle in World War 1. German forces had advanced deep into France and were close to capturing Paris. The French and British armies launched a counterattack along the Marne River, halting the German advance. This battle ended Germany's hopes for a quick victory under the "Schlieffen Plan" and forced them to retreat. It marked the start of Trench Warfare. -
Sinking of the RMS Lusitania
The sinking of the RMS Lusitania occurred on May 7 1915, during World War 1. A German U-boat torpedoed the British passenger ship off the coast of Ireland, killing nearly 1,200 people, including 128 Americans. Germany argued the Ship carried weapons, making it a target, but the attack caused outrage, especially in the United States. The event turned public against Germany and increased tensions between the U.S and Germany. -
Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary on May 23, 1915, during World War 1. Although Italy was initially part of the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Germany, it stayed neutral at the war's start. Italy later signed the Treaty of London with Britain, France, and Russia, promising territorial rewards in exchange for joining the Allies. Motivated by the chance to gain land, Italy switched sides and declares War on Austria-Hungary, opening a new front in conflict. -
Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun, fought from February to December 1916, was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War 1. Germany launched an offensive against the French Fortress city of Verdun, aiming to inflict massive casualties. The French mounted a fierce defense. Both sides suffered heavy losses, with over 700,00 combined casualties. The battle ended in a French victory but symbolized the horrific stalement and devastation of trench warfare. -
Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme, fought from July 1 to November 18, 1916, was one of the largest battles of World War 1. The British and French launched an offensive against German forces along the Somme river in France to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun. The first day was the deadliest in British History, with 57,000 casualties. Despite months of fighting and over 1 million casualties, the Allies only advanced a few miles. -
Zimmermann Telegram
The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret message sent by Germany to Mexico in January 1917 during WW1. Germany proposed that if Mexico joined the war against the United States, they would help Mexico regain lost territories. British intelligence intercepted and decoded the telegram then shared it with the U.S. Its revelation outraged Americans and increased support for entering the war. It was a key factor in the U.S. joining the Allies in April 1917. -
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a pair of uprisings that ended centuries of Tsarist rule and led to the rise of communism. In the February Revolution, widespread protests and strikes forced Tsar Nicholas ll to abdicate, leading to a temporary government. However it failed to address key issues like poverty and Russia's involvement in World War 1. This marked the start of the Soviet Union and Russia's withdrawal from World War 1. -
America declares war
The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, during World War 1. This decision was triggered by Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, which sank American ships, and the Zimmermann Telegram, where Germany encouraged Mexico to attack the U.S. These events along with economic ties to the Allies, pushed America to join the war on the side of Britain, France, and their allies. -
Russia Withdrew from War
Russia withdrew from the war in 1918 after the Bolsheviks took power during the Russian Revolution. The new communist government, led by Lenin, signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, ending Russia's involvement. This allowed Russia to focus on its internal civil war but required giving up large amounts of territory to Germany. -
Armistice
The Armistice of World War 1 was an agreement to stop fighting, signed on November 11, 1918. It marked the end of the war on the Western Front. Germany agreed to surrender its weapons, withdraw troops, and accept Allied terms, effectively ending the Conflict. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, officially ended World War 1. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including accepting blame for the war, paying large reparations, reducing its military, and losing territory. The treaty aimed to prevent future wars but left Germany resentful , contributing to tensions that led to World War ll. -
War Guilt Clause
The War Guilt Clause, part of the Treaty of Versailles, was a provision that blamed Germany for starting World War 1. It forced Germany to accept full responsibility for the war and its damages, which justified the heavy reparations and penalties imposed on them. This clause caused resentment in Germany and fueled tensions that later contributed to WW2.