World War 1

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife, Sophie, are assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist. The assassination sparks a chain of events that leads to the outbreak of World War 1. Austria-Hungary issues an ultimatum to Serbia, triggering a series of diplomatic and military actions among European powers. The event marks the beginning of one of the deadliest conflicts in human history.

Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia on July 28, 1914, setting off a chain reaction of declarations of war among European powers. Russia, an ally of Serbia, mobilizes its forces to support the Serbs, prompting Germany to declare war on Russia and its ally, France. The world is plunged into the horrors of World War 1.

The Battle of Tannenberg, fought between the German Empire and Russia, ends in a decisive victory for the Germans. German General Paul von Hindenburg and his chief of staff, Erich Ludendorff, outmaneuver and defeat the Russian Second Army, resulting in the near destruction of the Russian force. The battle demonstrates the effectiveness of German military strategy and boosts German morale early in the war.

The First Battle of Ypres, fought between German and Allied forces on the Western Front, marks a strategic victory for the Allies. Despite heavy casualties on both sides, the Allied forces successfully defend the Belgian city of Ypres and prevent the Germans from capturing it. The battle solidifies the stalemate on the Western Front and foreshadows the grueling trench warfare that will characterize the conflict.

British and Allied forces launch an amphibious assault on the Gallipoli Peninsula in an attempt to secure a sea route to Russia and knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. The campaign, however, ends in failure and heavy casualties for both sides. The Gallipoli Campaign becomes a symbol of military misjudgment and futility, and it contributes to the downfall of several political leaders.

The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania is torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. The attack results in the deaths of 1,198 passengers and crew, including 128 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania sparks outrage in the United States and contributes to growing public sentiment in favor of U.S. entry into World War 1.

The Battle of Verdun, fought between German and French forces on the Western Front, becomes one of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War 1. Lasting from February 21 to December 18, 1916, the battle results in hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides and inflicts unimaginable suffering on soldiers trapped in the trenches. Despite heavy losses, the French successfully defend Verdun and prevent the Germans from capturing the city.

The Battle of the Somme, one of the largest battles of World War 1, is launched by British and French forces against the German Empire on the Western Front. Lasting from July 1 to November 18, 1916, the battle results in over one million casualties and only limited territorial gains for the Allies. The Battle of the Somme epitomizes the brutal nature of trench warfare and the staggering human cost of the conflict.

The Russian Revolution, a series of political upheavals in Russia, culminates in the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of a socialist government led by the Bolshevik Party under Vladimir Lenin. The revolution, which begins with the February Revolution and concludes with the October Revolution, has far-reaching consequences for Russia and the world, including Russia's withdrawal from World War 1.

The Russian Civil War erupts in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, pitting the Bolshevik Red Army against various anti-Bolshevik forces known as the Whites. The war, which lasts from 1917 to 1922, is characterized by brutal fighting, political instability, and foreign intervention. The Bolsheviks emerge victorious, establishing the Soviet Union as a communist state.

The United States declares war on Germany and enters World War 1 on the side of the Allies. President Woodrow Wilson cites Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, including the sinking of American ships such as the Lusitania, as a primary reason for U.S. involvement in the conflict. The entry of the United States significantly strengthens the Allied war effort and shifts the balance of power in favor of the Allies.

The Spanish Flu pandemic, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, spreads across the globe, infecting an estimated 500 million people and causing the deaths of 50 million to 100 million individuals. The pandemic coincides with World War 1 and contributes to its devastation, affecting soldiers and civilians alike. The Spanish Flu underscores the interconnectedness of global events and the vulnerability of human populations to infectious diseases.

The Second Battle of the Marne, fought between German and Allied forces on the Western Front, marks a turning point in World War 1. The Allied forces, led by French General Ferdinand Foch, launch a successful counteroffensive against the German Army, halting their advance and pushing them back. The battle ends in a decisive victory for the Allies and sets the stage for their final advance toward victory.

The Armistice of November 11, 1918, also known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, brings an end to World War 1. The armistice agreement, signed between the Allied powers and Germany, goes into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front. The armistice paves the way for the eventual signing of the Treaty of Versailles and the formal end of the war.

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later renamed Yugoslavia, is formed in the aftermath of World War 1. The new state, comprising various ethnic groups from the former Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires, seeks to unify South Slavic peoples under a single political entity. However, ethnic tensions and political divisions within Yugoslavia will eventually lead to its dissolution and the outbreak of ethnic conflict.

The Treaty of Versailles is signed, officially ending World War 1 and imposing harsh penalties on Germany. The treaty, negotiated among the Allied powers, places full blame for the war on Germany and requires Germany to disarm, pay reparations, and cede territory to its neighbors. The terms of the treaty sow resentment and economic hardship in Germany, contributing to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the outbreak of World War 2.

The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye is signed, officially ending World War 1 between the Allies and Austria-Hungary. The treaty imposes significant territorial and economic penalties on Austria-Hungary, leading to the dissolution of the empire and the emergence of new nation-states in Central Europe. The treaty also establishes the framework for the future peace settlements in the region.

The League of Nations is established as an international organization aimed at promoting peace and preventing future conflicts. The League is created in the aftermath of World War 1, with the goal of providing a forum for resolving disputes between nations and promoting collective security. Despite its noble aspirations, the League ultimately fails to prevent the outbreak of World War 2.

The Ottoman Empire collapses following its defeat in World War 1 and the subsequent partitioning of its territories by the Allied powers. The empire, which once spanned three continents and ruled over diverse ethnic and religious groups, is dismantled, paving the way for the emergence of modern nation-states in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The end of the Ottoman Empire marks the conclusion of centuries of imperial rule.