WW1 Timeline - Rithvik Pandey

1915-1920

Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech

1918

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Selective Service Act

1917

Committee on Public Information

1917

Russian Revolution

1917

Espionage Act

1917

Zimmermann Telegram

1917

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War Industries Board

1917

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United States Enters World War I

1917

Made by Rithvik Pandey

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Sinking of the Lusitania

1915

WW1 Timeline

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Influenza Pandemic and its Impact on U.S. Troops

1918

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Meuse-Argonne Offensive

1918

Treaty of Versailles

1919

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Formation of the League of Nations

1920

Armistice Day

1918

Made by Rithvik Pandey

1915-1920

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Sedition Act

1918

WW1 Timeline

The RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner, was sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,198 passengers and crew, including 128 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania caused international outrage, particularly in the United States, and contributed to the shift in public opinion towards supporting involvement in World War I. It highlighted the dangers of unrestricted submarine warfare and the impact of the war on civilians.

May 7, 1915

Sinking of the Lusitania

The League of Nations was established on January 10, 1920, as part of the Treaty of Versailles, with the goal of maintaining world peace and preventing future wars. The organization provided a forum for resolving international disputes through diplomacy and collective action. However, the absence of major powers like the United States weakened its effectiveness, and it ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of World War II. The League of Nations laid the groundwork for the later establishment of the United Nations.

January 10, 1920

Formation of the League of Nations

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, officially ending World War I and imposing harsh terms on Germany, including significant territorial losses, military restrictions, and reparations payments. The treaty aimed to prevent future conflicts but instead sowed the seeds of resentment and economic hardship that contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and World War II. The United States, despite President Wilson's involvement in the negotiations, ultimately did not ratify the treaty, partly due to concerns about the League of Nations compromising U.S. sovereignty.

June 28, 1919

Treaty of Versailles

The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, after President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. The decision was influenced by factors such as Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, the Zimmermann Telegram, and the sinking of ships with American citizens aboard. U.S. involvement provided a significant boost to the Allied powers and played a crucial role in the eventual defeat of the Central Powers.

April 6, 1917

United States Enters World War I

The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret diplomatic communication sent by the German Foreign Office to Mexico, proposing a military alliance against the United States. The telegram was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence, and its contents were made public, causing outrage in the United States. The revelation of the telegram played a significant role in turning American public opinion against Germany and contributed to the decision to enter World War I.

March 1917

Zimmermann Telegram

The Espionage Act was a federal law passed to prevent interference with military operations, support for U.S. enemies during wartime, and insubordination in the military. The act imposed harsh penalties for espionage, sabotage, and the dissemination of information harmful to the war effort. The Espionage Act was later expanded by the Sedition Act of 1918 to include broader restrictions on speech and expression.

June 15, 1917

Espionage Act

The War Industries Board (WIB) was created to coordinate the production and distribution of war materials and supplies during World War I. The WIB played a key role in managing the U.S. economy for war production, setting priorities for the use of raw materials, and ensuring efficient production of essential goods. The board's efforts contributed to the successful mobilization of the American economy for the war effort.

July 28, 1917

War Industries Board

The Sedition Act was an amendment to the Espionage Act, expanding its provisions to include a broader range of offenses, such as speaking or writing against the U.S. government, the Constitution, or the military. It aimed to suppress dissent and criticism of the war effort, leading to the prosecution of many individuals for their anti-war views. The act was later repealed, but it had a significant impact on civil liberties during the war.

May 16, 1918

Sedition Act

The 1918 influenza pandemic, also known as the Spanish flu, had a devastating impact on U.S. troops during World War I. The highly contagious virus spread rapidly through military camps and across battlefields, causing widespread illness and death. The pandemic strained medical resources and affected military operations, with some estimates suggesting that more American soldiers died from the flu than in combat. The outbreak highlighted the challenges of maintaining troop health during wartime and had lasting effects on public health policy.

Fall of 1918

Influenza Pandemic and its Impact on U.S. Troops

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the largest operation of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I and a significant part of the final Allied offensive. It aimed to break through the heavily fortified German lines in the Argonne Forest and along the Meuse River. The offensive involved over 1.2 million American soldiers and resulted in heavy casualties, but it was instrumental in forcing Germany to seek an armistice.

September 26 - November 11, 1918

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

The Russian Revolution was a series of political upheavals in Russia that led to the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the rise of the Bolsheviks. The revolution began in March 1917 with the February Revolution, which resulted in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The Bolshevik Revolution in November 1917 brought Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks to power, leading to Russia's withdrawal from World War I and the start of the Russian Civil War.

March 1917

Russian Revolution

The Committee on Public Information (CPI) was a government agency established to influence public opinion and generate support for the American war effort during World War I. The CPI used propaganda techniques, including posters, films, and speeches, to promote patriotism and encourage participation in war-related activities. The committee's efforts were instrumental in shaping public perception and ensuring widespread support for the war.

April 14, 1917

Committee on Public Information

The Selective Service Act established a system for drafting men into military service to build the U.S. Army for involvement in World War I. The act required all men between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for the draft, and it was later expanded to include men aged 18 to 45. The draft was a crucial component of the U.S. military's ability to quickly mobilize a large force for the war effort.

May 18, 1917

Selective Service Act

President Woodrow Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points speech to Congress, outlining his vision for a just and lasting peace after World War I. The Fourteen Points included proposals for open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, the removal of trade barriers, and the establishment of a League of Nations to ensure collective security. Wilson's speech set the foundation for the post-war peace negotiations and the creation of the League of Nations.

January 8, 1918

Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech

The armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed on November 11, 1918, marking the end of fighting in World War I. The agreement took effect at 11:00 a.m. Paris time, leading to celebrations and relief worldwide. Armistice Day is commemorated annually to honor the sacrifice of those who served in the war and to remember the importance of peace. The day later became known as Veterans Day in the United States, honoring all U.S. military veterans.

November 11, 1918

Armistice Day