World War I Timeline
by: Cayde Miller
1870- France gave up territory along the German border
In 1870, as part of its plan to unify Germany, Prussia forced France to give up territory along the German border. As a result, France and Germany became enemies. To protect itself, Germany signed alliances with Italy and with the huge empire of Austria-Hungary, which controlled much of southeastern Europe. This became known as the Triple Alliance.
1894- Franco Russian Alliance
In 1894, a new alliance alarmed Russian leaders who feared Germany intended to expand eastward into their territory, in addition, Russia and Austria-Hungary were competing for influence in southeast Europe. They told the Slavs they would protect them.
1898- Germany began building a large modern navy
In 1898, Germany began building a large modern navy. The buildup threatened the British, who rushed to build warships. By the early 1900's, Britain and Germany were engaged in an arms race.
1908- Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia
In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia, which had belonged to the Ottoman Empire, outraging the Serbs. This annexation let Serbia and everyone know that they had no intention of allowing the Slavs to make their own countries, which leads to nationalist groups forming, sometimes they are extreme.
1915- (Febuary) Germans started using U-Boats
In February of 1915,Germans started using U-Boats to sink, without warning, any ship they found sailing around Britain.
1915- (May 7th) U-Boat sank the British passenger ship the Lusitania
On May 7, 1915 a U-Boat sank the British passenger ship, the Lusitania, killing over 1,000 passengers including 128 Americans. America now knows they need to get rid of the Barbaric Raiders. President Wilson tries to stop U-Boat attacks because they are endangering neutral people.
1916- (March) America torpedoed a French ship
1916- American Election year
In 1916, another election rolled around. Wilson barely wins it for the second time. His campaign slogan was, "He kept us out of the war."
1916- Germans ruled the sky with fighter planes
1916- The British introduced the armored tank
1917- American Loans with allies was over 2 billion dollars
1917- (January) America intercept the Zimmerman telegram
1917 - (Feb 3-March 21) Germans Restart U-Boat attacks sink 7 more American ship
1917- (April 2) President Wilson petitions for War on Germany
1917- Germans started using poison gas
1917- (March) riots broke out in Russia.Nicholas II, the leader of the Russian Empire left his thrown.
1917- (November) Communist government was established
1917- Australian soldiers load an artillery shell during the Battle of Passchendaele
Many Americans believed their troops would make a difference in the war and that would quickly make an end to the war. Early offensive demonstrated that warfare had changed. Powerful artillery guns placed far behind the front lines hurled huge explosive shells onto the battlefield.