World War I Timeline
Allied vs. Central Powers
The First World War
This war was the biggest of its time. Not only was it one half of the world against the other, but some of the weapons that were used against each other were so despicably dangerous, they have been banned from warfare forever. The war took a toll on the lives of the soldiers and the citizens of all the countries involved.
The Triple Alliance
In 1870, Prussia obtained French territory along the German border. As a result, France and Germany became enemies. Germany signed alliances with Italy and with Austria-Hungary.
Woodrow Wilson
In March 4th, 1913, Woodrow Wilson was elected President of the United States of America. We would later become President during the First World War and a delegate in the League of Nations.
The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
In June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, visited the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. As he and his wife rode through the city, Bosnian revolutionary Gavrilo Princip shot them dead. Serbian officials were behind this assassination who hoped to start a war that would weaken Austria-Hungary.
Declaration of War
On July 28, Austria-Hungary decided to destroy Serbia. Russia immediately mobilized its army, including troops stationed on the German border. Germany declared war on Russia and France. It wasn't until afterwards when Germany angered Belgium (who had a treaty with Britain) that the allied powers were made. The War had begun.
Britain Reaches Out to America
The debate had begun for the decision to either stay neutral or intervene during this war. British officials called out to America using propaganda, and cut telegraph lines to Eastern Europe, so it would be just them giving news about the war. The Americans public opinion started swaying towards the Allies.
The Sinking of the RMS Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, a U-boat sank the British passenger ship Lusitania, killing over 1,000 passengers—including 128 Americans. This angered America and they threatened Germany that they would join the War. Germany did not want to strengthen the Allies by drawing the United States into the war. They promised not to sink British ships without warning. This pledge met the foreign policy goals of both Germany and America by delaying the entry of the United States into the war.
The Zimmerman Telegram
In January 1917, German official Arthur Zimmerman sent a telegram to the German ambassador in Mexico promising Mexico the return of its “lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona” if it allied with Germany. The telegram was intercepted by British Intelligence and sent to the U.S. This was the final push to send America into the brink of war.
The War Industries Board
In July 28th, 1917, The War Industries Board was founded to coordinate the production of war materials. The WIB told manufacturers what they could produce, allocated raw materials, ordered new factory construction, and sometimes set prices. They could basically run the economy during a time of war.
National War Labor Board
In April of 1918, in order to prevent riots and other disruptions of production for the U.S., the government established the National War Labor Board.They often pressured industry to improve wages, adopt an eight-hour workday, and allow unions the right to organize and bargain collectively.
The Espionage and Sedition Acts
The Espionage Act was passed to prohibit interfere in the war effort by spying for government information or by any other means. A year later, in 1918, The Sedition Act was passed prohibiting people from speaking out about the war in public.
The Selective Service Act
The Selective Service Act was passed so that all men from ages 21-30 were drafted to go to war. A lottery randomly determined the order in which they were called before a local draft board in charge of selecting or exempting people from military service. Even some women were called to the front lines during the first year of the war. This made it the first war to have women enlisted in the army.
Communist Government Formed in Russia
In 1917, Czar Nicholas II renounced his throne, thus causing an uprising in Russia and eventually having the Communist Party take over Russia.
The War Ends
After one final push on the Western Front, the Germans started to lose their structure and eventually, the German leader signed an agreement to stop fighting in 1918.
The Treaty of Versailles
Delegates from all over the world traveled to the Palace of Versailles near Paris to sign the peace treaty that will end the war once and for all. The Germans signed it and also the Treaty of Saint-Germain, ending the war with Austria-Hungary in 1919.
The League of Nations
Soon after the Treaty of Versailles, the allied leaders came together to form the League of Nations which was formed to serve as an intergovernmental organization to make decisions.
After the War
After the War, goods that were rationed were removed from the clutches of the government. Because of the abundance of these goods, there was a great inflation that also affected the cost of living.
The Red Scare
Because of the riots that sparked due to the poor economic status of the U.S., fears for the future of America and Communism spread nationwide. This event also sparked riots and caused several bombings around the country that eventually inspired the origin of the FBI.