World War I Timeline

World War 1 began on July 28, 1914

World War 1 ended on November 11, 1918

A battle fought in World War I

A battle during World War I, focused on Liege

A WW1 battle on the Eastern Front

A World War I battle

A significant naval battle fought during WWI

A truce on the Western Front during World War I

A labor strike by women working in London's transport system during WWI

An early labor strike for equal pay in the UK during World War I

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, in 1914.

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, aiming to punish Serbia for its perceived role in the assassination.

A complex network of agreements between European nations, where nations pledged to defend each other if attacked. This system, designed to maintain peace, ultimately led to the escalation of the conflict.

Russia mobilized its troops in support of Serbia, which was perceived as a threat to Germany's interests. This mobilization further intensified the crisis.

Germany declared war on Russia and France, fearing that Russia's mobilization would threaten its security. This marked the official beginning of World War I.

Germany's strategic military plan for a quick and decisive victory in the early stages of World War I, involving a swift advance through Belgium and France.

The main theater of war in Western Europe, where opposing armies dug in, creating a network of trenches that stretched from the North Sea to Switzerland.

A form of warfare where soldiers fought from trenches, resulting in a protracted and bloody stalemate.

The main theater of war in Eastern Europe, where a large portion of the fighting took place between Russia and Germany.

Italy joined the Allied Powers in 1915, escalating the conflict further. This decision was motivated by Italy's desire to gain territory promised in a pre-war agreement with the Allies.

The British Royal Navy imposed a naval blockade of Germany, aiming to restrict German access to supplies and resources. This blockade played a significant role in weakening the German war effort.

A continuous naval campaign between Germany and the Allies, marked by German submarine warfare and Allied counter-measures.

A brutal and devastating battle fought in 1916 on the Western Front, known for its prolonged and bloody nature. It resulted in heavy casualties on both sides but no significant territorial gains.

Another major battle on the Western Front, fought in 1916, known for its massive casualties. This battle is remembered for its horrific conditions and the heavy use of artillery and machine guns.

The war saw the development and use of new technologies, including poison gas, tanks, and improved artillery, which made warfare even more deadly and devastating.

The United States declared war on Germany in 1917, significantly strengthening the Allied forces. This decision was influenced by the German unrestricted submarine warfare that threatened American ships.

The Russian Revolution in 1917 led to Russia's withdrawal from the war. This allowed Germany to focus its efforts on the Western Front, hoping for a decisive victory.

A major German offensive launched in 1918, aiming for a final decisive victory on the Western Front. This offensive was unsuccessful, and the Allies eventually pushed back.

The Allied forces, bolstered by the arrival of American troops, launched a counter-offensive against the weakened German army. This offensive played a key role in the collapse of the Central Powers.

The armistice, signed on November 11, 1918, brought the war to an end. It was a ceasefire agreement that ended hostilities between the Allied and Central Powers.

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, formally ended World War I. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, reparations, and limitations on military strength.

Germany was obligated to pay substantial reparations to the victorious Allied powers as compensation for the war damage inflicted.

The Treaty of Versailles imposed severe limitations on the size and capabilities of the German military, aiming to prevent future aggression.

The Treaty of Versailles, with its harsh penalties imposed on Germany, is widely regarded as a contributing factor to the rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II.