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Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassination
Not long after escaping an assassin's bomb, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to Austro-Hungarian throne and his wife are killed by Gavrilo Princip, an angry citizen. A month later, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia and Europe turns to chaos. The US are decided to stay neutral during this time. -
Britain Declares War
Britain declares war on Germany. At this time, the British empire includes Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa. This is when the U.S. officially declares neutrality. -
The Lusitania Sinks
A German U-Boat sinks the British passenger liner Lusitania off the Irish coast. It only takes 18 minutes for it to sink, drowning 1,201 people and 128 of which were Americans. President Woodrow Wilson instantly sends four protests to Germany. -
Woodrow Wilson Reelection
In America, voters re-elect President Woodrow Wilson. He had campaigned on the slogan, "He kept us out of war." -
The Intercepted Telegram
The British intercepted the Zimmerman telegram. Its message describes a plan for Germany and Mexico to form an alliance against the U.S. It said that Germany would provide support, and Mexico would benefit by getting the territory they lost to America back. The British bring the telegram to the Americans and is then made public. -
U.S. Declares War
The United States of America declares war on Germany, after President Woodrow Wilson asked the United States Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. -
German High Command Plan
The German High Command, led by Erich Ludendorff, gathers at Mons, Belgium, to map out a strategy for 1918. Ludendorff says he is willing to accept a million German casualties in a plan to achieve victory in early 1918, before the American Army arrives in force. -
War Ends
At the Palace of Versailles in France, the Treaty formally gets signed, ending the war. Its pages have terms that have little in common with Wilson's Fourteen Points. Germans back home react with mass demonstrations against the harshness.