Pivotal Events in WWIPivotal Events in WWI

1914-19191914-1919

June 28, 1914June 28, 1914

Event:Event: Assassination of Archduke Franz Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife SophieFerdinand and his wife Sophie

Significance:Significance: Ferdinand was the heir to Ferdinand was the heir to the A-H throne. Assassinated by Serbian the A-H throne. Assassinated by Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip. A-H declares nationalist, Gavrilo Princip. A-H declares war on Serbia one month later, activating war on Serbia one month later, activating the complex system of alliances in Europe.the complex system of alliances in Europe.

September 5, 1914September 5, 1914

Event:Event: First Battle of Marne begins. First Battle of Marne begins.Significance:Significance: Beginning of trench warfare Beginning of trench warfare

as soldiers on both sides dug in. as soldiers on both sides dug in. Disruption of Germany’s plan to quickly Disruption of Germany’s plan to quickly end the fighting on the Western Front.end the fighting on the Western Front.

April 25, 1915April 25, 1915

Event:Event: The Battle of Gallipoli begins. The Battle of Gallipoli begins.Significance:Significance: A bloody and brutal attempt A bloody and brutal attempt

by Allied forces to take Gallipoli, the by Allied forces to take Gallipoli, the gateway to the Ottoman capital of gateway to the Ottoman capital of Constantinople.Constantinople.

May 7, 1915May 7, 1915

Event:Event: RMS Lusitania sank off the coast RMS Lusitania sank off the coast of Ireland by a German U-boat of Ireland by a German U-boat (submarine).(submarine).

Significance:Significance: American civilians killed American civilians killed and American merchant good lost in the and American merchant good lost in the sinking. American opinion turning against sinking. American opinion turning against the Germans.the Germans.

February 21, 1916February 21, 1916

Event:Event: The Battle of Verdun begins. The Battle of Verdun begins.Significance:Significance: The longest and one of the The longest and one of the

bloodiest battles of WWI. Fought on the bloodiest battles of WWI. Fought on the Western Front along the border of France Western Front along the border of France and Germany.and Germany.

July 1, 1916July 1, 1916

Event:Event: The Battle of the Somme begins. The Battle of the Somme begins.Significance:Significance: One of the largest battles One of the largest battles

in the history of WWI. Battle lasted 3 in the history of WWI. Battle lasted 3 months. 1.5 million men were killed. months. 1.5 million men were killed. British lost 57,000 soldiers on the first day British lost 57,000 soldiers on the first day of fighting.of fighting.

April 6, 1917April 6, 1917

Event:Event: US declares war on Germany. US declares war on Germany.Significance:Significance: After the discovery of the After the discovery of the

Zimmerman note, the US declares war on Zimmerman note, the US declares war on Germany and enters the war on the side of Germany and enters the war on the side of the Allies.the Allies.

December 17, 1917December 17, 1917

Event:Event: Russia agrees to an armistice with Russia agrees to an armistice with the Central Powers.the Central Powers.

Significance:Significance: After the events of the After the events of the Russian revolution the new russian Russian revolution the new russian government no longer supports the war. government no longer supports the war. Russia signs Treaty of Brest Litovsk on Russia signs Treaty of Brest Litovsk on March 3 1918, declaring peace with the March 3 1918, declaring peace with the Central Powers.Central Powers.

November 11, 1918November 11, 1918

Event:Event: Germany signs armistice at Germany signs armistice at Compiegne, France.Compiegne, France.

Significance:Significance: Fighting in Europe end on Fighting in Europe end on the 11the 11thth hour of the 11 hour of the 11thth day of the 11 day of the 11thth month (11am on November 11).month (11am on November 11).

June 28, 1919June 28, 1919

Event:Event: Treaty of Versailles is signed. Treaty of Versailles is signed.Significance:Significance: Treaty officially ends WWI.Treaty officially ends WWI.