WWI Timeline

Abhineeth Pasam

WWI Timeline

1917

1917

1915

1914

Assassination of Archduke of Austria-Hungary Franz Ferdinand

Committee on Public Information

Russian Revolution

Sinking of the Lusitania

1917

1917

1917

1914

Zimmermann Telegram

United States Enters World War I

Selective Service Act

Opening of Panama Canal

Abhineeth Pasam

WWI Timeline

1919

1918

1918

1917

Espionage Act

Treaty of Versailles

Sedition Act

Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech

1918

1918

1920

1917

Influenza Pandemic and its Impact on U.S. Troops

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

Formation of the League of Nations

War Industries Board

Zimmermann Telegram

January 17, 1917

The Zimmermann Telegram was a telegram sent by a German secretary to the German minister in Mexico that contained plans to start submarine warfare and talked about starting an alliance with Mexico and Japan. This telegram was intercepted by Britain and sent to the U.S. which sparked outrage among the government and citizens. This combined with other events such as the Sinking of the Lusitania caused the U.S. to enter WWI four months after this telegram.

Committee on Public Information

April 13, 1917

The Committee on Public Information was started by Woodrow Wilson to control the narrative of World War I in the public eye and to make every American support and participate in the war. The Committee utilized multiple forms of media and communication that targeted multiple groups of Americans to spread their propaganda aimed to push Woodrow Wilson's agenda forward, criticize the Germans, and reflect American Ideals.

Assassination of Archduke of Austria-Hungary Franz Ferdinand

June 28 1914

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, on June 28, 1914, set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I. This event triggered the July Crisis, which resulted in Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia, causing a ripple effect as allied nations were drawn into the conflict. This ultimately started WWI as countries started joining the Allied and Central powers.

Sinking of the Lusitania

May 7, 1915

A German submarine sank a British cruise liner carrying 123 Americans as it headed from New York to England. This sparked mass outrage in the United States and the public opinion turned largely against Germany. While this didn't cause America to immediately enter the war it was one of the many factors that ultimately led them to join the Allied Powers to fight against Germany.

Formation of the League of Nations

January 10, 1920

The League of Nations was an international group that aimed to settle disputes between countries and it set a precedent for international relations that we can still see today. The League came from one of Wilson's 14 points in an effort to maintain peace on an international level to prevent further wars such as WWI. It also took part in enforcing the Treaty of Versailles on a global scale, however, the league would eventually disband and would fail in its purpose of preventing another world war.

Influenza Pandemic and its Impact on U.S. Troops

March 11, 1918

During the war, influenza ran rampant in American troops due to the crowded conditions of the camps, resulting in 20%-40% of the U.S. Army and Navy catching influenza. The impact of this pandemic was huge as influenza and pneumonia killed more American soldiers than enemy guns. To compensate for this hospitals in America exponentially increased their carrying capacity and organizations such as the Red Cross recruited even more nurses.

War Industries Board

July 28, 1917

The War Industries Board was created by Woodrow Wilson in order to coordinate manufacturing efforts for materials needed in the war. The board increased manufacturing production in America by 20% and converted America into a wartime economy, greatly aiding in the army's strength and resources. However, this also allowed corruption to rise as many war-profiteers made fortunes off of war material manufacturing.

Selective Service Act

April 13, 1917

The Committee on Public Information was started by Woodrow Wilson to control the narrative of World War I in the public eye and to make every American support and participate in the war. The Committee utilized multiple forms of media and communication that targeted multiple groups of Americans to spread their propaganda aimed to push Woodrow Wilson's agenda forward, criticize the Germans, and reflect American Ideals.

Espionage Act

June 15, 1917

The Espionage Act was passed shortly after the U.S. entered WWI and it made spreading information that interfered with war efforts a crime. This act aimed to silence groups who were not in support of the war such as socialists, pacifists, and other anti-war activists, with thousands being persecuted under this act. With this act, the government had full control over the public narrative of the war and could easily justify it to the public.

Russian Revolution

March 8, 1917

The Russian Revolution was a revolt caused by the economic struggles and government corruption in Russia and it was led by the Bolsheviks, who brought down the monarchy in Russia and instead gave way to a communist government to take over. This was a threat to America who was intent on preserving American ideals and keeping any Communist ideals out of the country. It also caused Russia to withdraw from WWI which allowed Germany to gain control of East Europe.

Opening of Panama Canal

August 15, 1914

The Panama Canal, which officially opened on August 15, 1914, revolutionized global trade by providing a new maritime route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Its opening coincided with the onset of WWI and quickly proved to be of strategic military importance, allowing for faster mobilization and supply routes between the two fronts. For the US, the canal solidified its status as a world power, enhancing its naval capabilities and economic influence by facilitating the movement of its fleet and goods.

Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech

January 8, 1918

In this speech, Woodrow Wilson stated 14 points that created a plan for world peace after WWI which included removing economic barriers between nations and strengthening the voices of minorities. One of Wilson's 14 points was to create an organization that provided security for nations around the world and this point would be realized in the League of Nations. When the Treaty of Versailles ended WWI most of Wilson's points didn't make it on there as the European nations were more concerned with regaining their lost land rather than world peace.

Treaty of Versaille

June 28, 1919

The Treaty of Versailles officially ended WWI and outlined a plan for Germany to take fault for the war and give back all the land it took. It also would cause Germany to pay for reparations for decades and take a severe reduction in their military which would greatly affect the country in the long-term. However, it is very controversial as its harshness on Germany resulted in the country facing political and economic downturn, giving way to the formation of the Nazi party.

Sedition Act

May 16, 1918

The Sedition Act was a continuation of the Espionage Act except it covered a wider range of offenses such as speaking ill of the government and interfering with government bond sales. One of the biggest people arrested under this act was Eugene V. Debs who was an active socialist giving a speech in Canton, Ohio when he was arrested. The act was a part of the ongoing effort to make the war justified to the public and minimize those who are against the war or government.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

September 26, 1918

This offensive was one of the last battles before the armistice for WWI was signed resulting in victory for the Allied Powers. The battle had over 1 million American soldiers participate and over 26,000 were killed making it one of the bloodiest American battles. The offensive drove Germany out of France and after the Americans achieved their objective an armistice was signed and WWI was over.

United States Enters World War I

April 6, 1917

Despite Woodrow Wilson asserting his intent to be neutral, several events threatening the U.S. prompted them to enter the war on the side of the Allied Powers. This entry was pivotal, as it provided the Allied forces with critical economic and military support, marking a turning point in the war that led to Germany’s eventual defeat. For the U.S., it meant a significant shift towards international engagement, setting the stage for it to emerge as a global power post-war.