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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand & His Wife
Archduke Franz Ferdinand who was heir to the Austrian throne and his wife visited Sarajevo in Bosnia when a bomb was thrown at their auto but missed. Ferdinand was assassinated by a member of the nationalist group known as the Black Hand. The United States remained neutral during this event, but this event was the immediate catalyst for the start and outbreak of WW1. -
Germany Invasion of Belgium
Germany invaded neutral Belgium to attempt to have victory over France. This event led to Britain's declaration of war against Germany. Many Americans were shocked by the violation of Belgian neutrality and many people started to view Germany as an aggressive, militaristic power. This perception of the public played an important role in how the U.S. felt towards the war. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A German submarine called a U-boat attacked the British passenger liner, Lusitania. This attack killed over 1,000 people that included 128 Americans. Since so many American lives were lost, much of the U.S. had a negative opinion and outlook towards Germany. Pressure also increased on the U.S. government to intervene, and President Wilson did protest but, in the end, didn't chose to declare war. -
President Woodrow Wilson re-elected
President Woodrow Wilson successfully won the re-election and defeated the former associate justice of the Supreme Court Charles Evans Hughes, who was the candidate for Republicans. Despite the war that was going on and happening in Europe, Wilson's re-election caused there to be a strong public sentiment towards neutrality. However, there was still tension from the wars and events like the Lusitania sinking. -
Zimmerman Telegram Intercepted
The British intercepted the Zimmerman Telegram which was a secret way of communicating from Germany to Mexico. The communicated proposing a military alliance against U.S. The telegram inflamed the public opinion of Americans because the telegram proposed that Mexico would regain territory that they lost in the US in exchange to have support from Germany. -
US declared war on Germany
President Woodrow Wilson wanted Congress to declare war on Germany, so Wilson asked Congress to do it, citing Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare as well as the Zimmerman Telegram. This event marked the official entrance of the United States going into World War 1. -
The Selective Service Act Passed
The Selective Service Act was passed by Congress which established a national draft for the first time ever in US history. This event was very crucial for building the large American Expeditionary Force that was necessary and a necessity to fight in Europe. -
The Second Battle of the Marne Officially Started
The second battle of the Marne officially began on July 15 when 23 German divisions of the First and Third armies which was led by Bruno von Mudra and Karl von Einem, assaulted the French Fourth Army. This army was placed under Henri Gouraud east of Reims. -
Armistice Signed
An agreement was signed between Germany and the Allied powers called an armistice agreement. This brought an end to fighting on the Western Front. This agreement marked the end of fighting in World War 1 and allowed the US to begin demobilizing its troops. -
The Treaty of Versailles Officially Signed
The Treaty of Versailles officially brought WW1 to an ending point and is signed in the Palace of Versailles. Even though the US played a very significant and key role in the war's outcome, it refused to ratify the treaty mostly due to opposition in the Senate to the League of Nations. This decision that was made had a very significant impact on post-war relations and Europe's future.