World War I Timeline

  • Triple Alliance Formed

    Triple Alliance Formed
    Secret agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
  • Triple Entente Formed

    Triple Entente Formed
    Russia, France, and Britain form an alliance.
  • President Woodrow Wilson Stays Neutral

    President Woodrow Wilson Stays Neutral
    President Woodrow Wilson was determined to keep the US neutral and out of the war.
  • Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

    Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
    Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Gavrillo Princip, a Serbian boy that walked up to Ferdinand and killed him.
  • War Escalates

    War Escalates
    Serbia is blamed for the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand by Austria-Hungary.
  • Russia Declares War

    Russia Declares War
    Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary due to alliance with Serbia.
  • Sinking of Lusitania

    Sinking of Lusitania
    A British passenger ship, called the Lusitania was shot down by German U-Boats. 128 Americans on board were killed, angering the US.
  • President Woodrow Wilson Demands That Germany Stop Using U-Boats

    President Woodrow Wilson Demands That Germany Stop Using U-Boats
  • Bomb Explodes At Parade

    Bomb Explodes At Parade
    A bomb went off in San Francisco during a pro-war parade
  • President Woodrow Wilson's Presidential Campaign

    President Woodrow Wilson's Presidential Campaign
    Slogan was, "He kept us out of war."
  • Zimmerman Telegram Intercepted

    Zimmerman Telegram Intercepted
    Britain intercepted the Zimmerman Telegram. It was sent to Mexico by Germany, stating that if Mexico helped Germany defeat the US, they would get the land they lost in the Mexican-American War back.
  • Germany Releases U-Boats

    Germany Releases U-Boats
    Germany begins to use U-boats in the war to sink ships coming in/out of Britain.
  • Woodrow Wilson War Speech

    Woodrow Wilson War Speech
    President Woodrow Wilson says, "The world must be made safe for democracy."
  • US Enters War

    US Enters War
    US takes Russia's place in WWI and enters the war.
  • US Institutes Draft

    US Institutes Draft
    The US requires every man ages 21-30 to register for the military draft.