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WW1
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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Archduke of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Bosnia when returning to his palace, by Gavrilo Princip, a Black Hand agent. Upon his death, the Archduke left behind the Austrian-Hungarian throne, which he was about to inherit, alone. His assassination triggered a change of retaliations between nations, creating the first world war. -
The Spark
After Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, Austria-Hungary sought support from Germany to declare war on Serbia. Russia then mobilized its forces to support Serbia in the war. Germany then declares war on Russia, causing France to mobilize its forces to support Russia. Germany then declares war on France, which provokes Great Britain to declare war on Germany. After that, Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia, then Serbia on Germany. Thus creating the first world war. -
First Battle of the Marne
This battle was fought on the Western Front. The battle resulted in around 500,000 total casualties. The battle ended with a victory for the Allies, where they successfully stopped the Germans' advance to Paris. -
The Battle of Ypres
The Battle of Ypres was a string of three battles fought along the Western Front. The first two battles resulted in an indecisive victory, while the last one was a victory for the Allies, despite loosing over 250,000 soldiers. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania was a passenger ship that was struck by a German u-boat, causing the ship to sink. Roughly 1200 people drowned in the sinking, including 128 Americans. The Germans denied responsibility by reminding the U.S. that they had been active in the area of the wreck, and then accused the U.S. and Britain of transporting war equipment within passenger ships. Ultimately, Germany gave reparations to the U.S., which were to give a fair warning of any military activity that was to occur. -
Battle of Verdun
This battle was the longest and bloodiest battle fought in the WW1. It lasted nine months and three days, ending on December 18, 1916. Over 700,000 total soldiers were killed. There was no decisive victory. -
Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was fought at the western front and lasted nearly five months, until November 18, 1916. There were over 1 million casualties in total and nearly 200,000 deaths. The battle resulted in a victory for the Allies. -
Russian Revolution
Vladimir Lenin guided the communist party to the Bolsheviks, which then overthrew Tsar Nicholas II, leaving the power to lead the country up for grabs. This occurrence instigated the Russian Revolution. Due to the revolution, Russia withdrew from the first world war, abandoning the eastern front. The nation decided it was best for them to cut their losses and signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, a peace treaty, with Germany in 1918, certifying their withdrawal. -
The Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram was a telegram that Britain interceded from Germany, which was for Mexico. The telegram was sent to Mexico in hopes that the nation would join Germany in the war, promising Mexico that Germany would help them regain the states they lost in the Mexican-American war, which would steer the troops and supplies of the U.S. away from Europe and to their southern border. Mexico declined this offer. -
Germany Resumed Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany returned to having unrestricted submarine warfare after not using it since the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. Germany decided to utilize submarine warfare once again, in hopes of winning the war quicker. -
America Enters the War
Having pre-existing tension with Germany for sinking the Lusitania, the U.S. was pushed into joining the war after the Zimmermann Telegram, as decided by then U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson. America was not prepared to enter the war yet helped end the war with their resources and troops. -
American Resources & Troops Arrive in France
The arrival of American troops and supplies to France immensely supported the Allies in their fight against the Central Powers. Not only was America able to help protect the Allies, but they were able to retaliate against Germany, eventually ending the war. -
Hundred Days Offensive
The Hundred Days Offensive was a string of attacks by the Allied forces, which led to the defeat of the German army, marked by the Armistice. -
Armistice
The Armistice of WW1 entailed the official ceasefire of Germany, where all German troops were withdrawn from occupied territories, German weapons were surrendered, and hostages were returned, marking the end of the war. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed in the Palace of Versailles in France. The terms of reparation from Germany were debated by over 30 representatives of nations affected, excluding the Central Powers.