WWI Timeline

WORLD WAR I TIMELINE

1917

Russian Revolution

Sinking of the Lusitania

Zimmermann Telegram

United States Enters World War I

Committee on Public Information

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

Armistice Day

War Industries Board

Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech

Espionage Act

Selective Service Act

Sedition Act

Treaty of Versailles

Formation of the League of Nations

Influenza Pandemic and its Impact on US Troops

1920

1919

Bolshevik Revolution

1918

May, 7, 1915

January 17

March 18

April 6

April 13

May 18

June 15

July 28

October 24

January 8

February

May 16

September 26

November 11

June 28

January 10

March 8, 1917

Russian Revolution

The russian revolution began on march 8, 1917 when peasants and laborers took to the streets striking against the inept russian tsar. Citizens distrusted the government for a number of reasons:

• getting involved in WWI unprepared
• allowing terrible working conditions for lower class
• Russian famine
• and more

this weakened russia's presence in wwi, making the united states worried that germany may succeed. Therefore, they began thinking about joining the war.

October 24, 1917

Bolshevik Revolution

Part 2 of the Russian revolution, the bolshevik revolution refers to the rise of the communist bolshevik party, led by vladimir lenin. russia officially exited WWI at this time. the rise of communist russia worried the united states. while russia exited the war, the united states was worried that given russia re-enters and the allied powers win, russia was threatening u.s. democratic ideals. this was one of the reasons that prompted the U.S. to join WWI.

may 17, 1915

Sinking of the Lusitania

germany, in conflict with great britain, torpedoed and sank US Ships transporting mililtary supplies to britain, one such being the lusitania.President wilson, eager to maintain America's promise of neutrality, did not engage with germany. in fact, he allowed germany to continue attacking US ships so long as wilson was informed beforehand so sailors could escape.

January 17, 1917

Zimmermann Telegram

the zimmermann telegram was a message sent from germany to mexico, requesting the American neighbor to attack the United States. the united states intercepted the telegram and learned about germany's plans. This telegram convinced the united states that germany was planning for war, and that it may be time the united states start thinking about it as well.

april 6, 1917

The United States Joins WWI

The United States joins the war for a number of reasons

• submarine warfare and other german aggression
• economic interests (us supplies materials for war)
• spreading democratic ideals
• and more!

July 28, 1917

War Industries Board

An executive order from president wilson, the war industries board was created to assist in helping the united states in the industrial production of materials for the war. they set priorities, fixed prices, and stardarized materials to be distributed to the united states and other allies.at this point, the united states has joined the war and continues to develop organizations to assist with the war effort.

June 15, 1917

Espionage Act of 1917

Congress passed The espionage act of 1917 as a result of concerns regarding espionage and sabotage during WWI. The act made it illegal to participate in wartime activities considered disloyal, for exmaple, aquiring information regarding war strategies or distributing critical information to the opposition. Consequences for doing so ranged from a couple thousand dollar fine to the death penalty.

May 18, 1917

Selective Service Act

The allies, at this time, were in desperate need of soldiers on the western front, however the united states was not able to supply military strength since their army consisted of roughly 100,000 men. congress then passed the selective service act, which gave the president the power to draft soldiers. After it was put into effect, the american army grew to 10 million.

April 13, 1917

Committee on Public Information

the committee on public information was established in 1917 as an independent agency under the wilson administration. it sought to disperse prowar propaganda and influence American citizens to support the war effort.

January 18, 1918

Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech

Wilson's fourteen points speech is an address given in front of congress outlining President Wilson's vision for world peace following the war. The speech called for the victorious allied powers to give some leeway to the opposition and not to punish them too harshly. He promoted equal trade, arms reduction, restoration of vanquished territory, and national soverignty from colonizers.

February 1918

Influenza Pandemic and its Impact on US Troops

The influenza pandemic of 1918 was absolutely devasting, killing millions of americans. In fact, more soldiers died from influenza than from actual enemy weapons. however, this information was kept from the american public for fear that it might lessen prowar sentiments.

May 16, 1918

Sedition Act

the sedition act of 1918 acted as an extension to the espionage act of 1917. The act stated that any activity meant to interfere with the war effort or hurt american attempts to participate effectively in the war was punishable by law, reflecting the government's persisting pro-war sentiments.

September 26, 1918

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

The Meuse-argonne offensive was the largest american war offensive by the american expeditionary force in world war i. it was the turning point for the allies' victory, capturing several thousand german troops.

November 11, 1918

Armistice Day

armistice day marks the end of world war i on the western front. germany finally surrenders!

June 28, 1919

Treaty of Versailles

the treaty of versailles was created following the war, outlining the details of post-war reparations and maintaining peace so forth. germany was blamed for wwi and had to pay reparations, give up territories, and demilitarize. some Other countries were given soverignty. the united states was somewhat unhappy with the agreement, as it went against a lot of what was mentioned in wilson's fourteen points speech and added the league of nations clause.

January 10, 1920

Formation of the League of Nations

the league of nations was one of the first worldwide intergovernmental organizations in the world. its sole purpose was to maintain world peace. the united states was not interested in joining the organization as it would infringe on american neutrality, work against the monroe doctrine, and was not beneficial financially.