| Event |
Date |
Location |
Significance |
| Archduke Ferdinand assassinated |
June 28, 1914 |
Sarajevo, Bosnia |
Unsteady alliances erupt into war as Russia, Serbia's ally, begins to
mobilize |
| Germany declares war on Russia and France |
August 1, 1914 |
|
Although guaranteeing Belgian neutrality, Germans march through
Belgium into France. |
| Nations align for war |
August 1914 |
|
Bulgaria and Turkey join Germany and Austria-Hungary in the Central
Powers. France, England, Russia (later Japan and Italy) join the Allied
Powers |
| Wilson declares U.S. neutrality |
August 4, 1914 |
Washington, D.C. |
Reflecting strong public opinion, Wilson states that U.S. will not
join the war |
| Germany declares waters around British Isles a war zone |
February 15, 1915 |
|
Neutral vessels are warned of potential u-boat attacks. Wilson warns
Germany that it would be accountable for any loss of American life |
| Lusitania sunk by Germans |
May 7, 1915 |
Off coast of Ireland |
Torpedoed without warning, the Lusitania sinks in 18 minutes, killing
1198 (128 Americans) |
| Arabic Pledge |
September 1, 1915 |
Berlin |
Germany promises not to sink unarmed liners following sinking of
British liner Arabic |
| Sussex Pledge |
May 31, 1916 |
Berlin |
Following sinking of French steamer Sussex, Germany again agrees to
"visit and search" rules, but insists that Great Britain
should also agree to obey international laws regarding freedom of the
seas |
| Wilson wins 1916 presidential election |
November 1916 |
U.S. |
Declaring "he kept us out of war," Wilson and Democrats
barely defeat Hughes and Republicans (277 to 254 in electoral college) |
| Wilson calls for "peace without victory" |
January 22, 1917 |
Washington, D.C. |
Frustrated with his efforts to mediate a peace, Wilson becomes
convinced that both sides needed to cease hostilities |
| Germany resumes unlimited submarine warfare |
January 31, 1917 |
Berlin |
Confident that U.S. help would be too late, Germany seeks to starve
England into submission |
| Zimmermann note discovered |
February 1917 |
Berlin to Mexico City |
Foreign minister Zimmermann asks Mexico to join Germany in exchange
for return of southwest U.S. British intercept message |
| Wilson asks Congress for greater powers |
February 1917 |
Washington, D.C. |
Senate, led by La Follette of Wisconsin, refuse to grant Wilson power
to wage an undeclared naval war |
| Russian Revolution deposes Czar Nicholas |
March 15, 1917 |
Russia |
Instability in Europe encourages Wilson to act |
| Wilson asks for declaration of war |
April 2, 1917 |
Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. |
"The world must be made safe for democracy," Wilson insists |
| Food Administration formed |
May 1917 |
Washington, D.C. |
Herbert Hoover heads effort to conserve food and boost agricultural
output |
| Creel Committee issues official propaganda |
May 1917 |
Washington, D.C. |
Daily "Official Bulletins" seek to convince Americans of the
crusade for freedom and democracy and the bestial nature of the
"Huns" |
| War Industries Board created |
May 1917 |
Washington, D.C. |
Led by Bernard Baruch, the WIB set prices and determined what goods
should be produced by private industry |
| Selective Service Act passed |
May 28, 1917 |
Washington, D.C. |
Nearly 10 million men are listed and a lottery chooses first 687,000
to serve. Eventually 3,000,000 men serve as draftees in the war |
| 14 Points declared |
January 1918 |
Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. |
Wilson lists his goals for a war-free world, including a League of
Nations |
| Cantigny |
May 28, 1918 |
North of Paris |
First victory for American troops |
| Chateau-Thierry |
May 1918 |
France |
French and American troops block German advance |
| Belleau Wood |
June 1918 |
France |
American forces suffer heavy losses but defeat Germans |
| Second Battle of the Marne |
July 1918 |
France |
Allied forces defeat Germans who begin retreat east |
| Meuse-Argonne |
September to November 1918 |
Eastern France |
Gen. Pershing loses 120,000 men (10%) of his troops in heavy fighting |
| Sedan |
October 1918 |
Eastern France |
American troops cut German supply lines 50 miles behind German front |
| Germans surrender, expecting a peace drawn up under Wilson's generous
14 Points |
November 11, 1918 |
Compiegne, France |
Worst war in world history is over. 10 million soldiers killed, 10
million civilians die from disease and starvation |
| Treaty of Versailles signed |
June 28, 1919 |
Versailles, France |
Germany signs treaty drafted by "Big Four" which includes
huge reparation demands |
