WW1 Timeline

WW1 Timeline

April 13, 1917

Committee on Public Information

May 7th, 1915

Sinking of the Lusitania

June 15, 1917

Espionage Act

March 8, 1917

Russian Revolution

July 28,1917

War Industries Board

April 6, 1917

United States Enters World War I

January 16, 1917

Zimmermann Telegram

May 18, 1917

Selective Service Act

WW1 Timeline

September 27, 1918

Influenza Pandemic and its Impact on U.S. Troops

May 16, 1918

June 28, 1919

Sedition Act

Treaty of Versailles

Sep 26, 1918

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

January 10, 1920

Formation of the League of Nations

January 8, 1918

Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech

November 11, 1918

Armistice Day

United States Enters World War I

On April 6, 1917, Congress declared war on Germany, officially entering World War 1. Unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman telegram influenced America to fight to protect their economy and people, and their entrance acted as a turning point and led to the conclusion of World War 1.

Sinking of the Lusitania

The Lusitania, a British luxury liner and the world’s largest passenger ship in 1906, was sunk by a German submarine during its journey from New York to Liverpool off the coast of Ireland. 128 Americans died in this attack, which contributed to pushing the US away from neutrality, was used as propaganda against the Germans, and the international outrage led to Germany suspending submarine warfare till 1917.

Russian Revolution

Social, political, and economic upheaval led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas || and a provisional government ruling Russia during World War 1. This was followed by the Bolshevik revolution led by Vladamir Lenin and the establishment of a communist government, followed by Russia leaving the World War.

Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech

President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Point Speech highlights his plans for peace and stability after the war in America and Europe. He advocated for world peace by calling for a reduction in armaments, adjustments in colonial boundaries, and freedom of the seas, along with encouraging the establishment of the League of Nations. His fourteen points served as a framework for the Treaty of Versailles and peace negotiations in the post-war era.

Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles marked the official end of the war, along with harsh demands from Germany to prevent further war and scapegoat them to justify war to Americans. They required Germany to give territory, implement military restrictions, pay reparations, and accept sole cause for the war.

War Industries Board

The War Industries Board was founded to coordinate the production of war materials and supplies and gave them the authority to regulate all war-related industries. The WIB worked to shift the American economy from peacetime to war efforts to provide significant resources to the Allied forces to win the war.

Sedition Act

The Sedition Act was an amendment to the Espionage Act that made it illegal to speak or write anything against the government, mainly targeting socialists, pacifists, and anti-war activists. This act was passed due to the need to build morale and national security after the war and scapegoat these groups to the general public.

Formation of the League of Nations

The League of Nations was created as a result of the Treaty of Versailles to promote world peace and prevent further conflicts. The losses caused by World War 1 led world leaders to take action in creating an organization to prevent future wars and diplomatically solve disputes, and America did not join the League of Nations.

Committee on Public Information

The Committee on Public Information was a government propaganda agency established by President Woodrow Wilson to influence public opinion and generate more support for the war. They did this with initiatives such as the “four-minute men” to promote war efforts and build country morale.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the final Allied effort to end the war, with more than 1.2 million American soldiers trying to break through the German lines in the Argonne Forest and along the Meuse River. The fighting lasted till November 11, 1918, marking the end of World War 1 and showing America’s military power on a global stage.

Zimmermann Telegram

The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret message sent by Germany to Mexico suggesting that Mexico ally with Germany if the US joined the war, and in return, Germany would help Mexico get back the land previously ceded to the USA after the war ended. The telegram was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence, and this influenced America to join the war since Germany targeted a neutral power.

Influenza Pandemic and its Impact on U.S. Troops

The Influenza Pandemic was a global virus spread at the end of World War 1 that killed 50 Million people worldwide. The virus spread faster amongst the troops, impacting military operations and morale, along with the morale of the entire country.

Selective Service Act

The Selective Service Act is an act authorized to allow the government to raise an army through conscription rather than volunteers due to the need for a large and ready army. This act led to an expansion of the US military, making them more prominent contributors to the victory of the Allied forces.

Espionage Act

The Espionage Act was passed in 1917 and made it illegal to spread or withhold national defense information to suppress disapproval of war and capture spies after America entered World War 1. This act gave the government power to control public opinions over the war and maintain the country’s morale by punishing anti-war efforts

Armistice Day

Armistice Day marked the end of fighting when the Allies and Germany signed a ceasefire agreement to end the war. It serves as a day to remember the victims and veterans of war.