Preceden

World War I Timeline

(1914 - 1918)

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It started with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and ultimately involved more than 70 million military personnel from various countries around the world. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Political and Social Changes

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Jun 28, 1914

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo ignited the tensions that would lead to the outbreak of World War I, as it triggered a series of diplomatic and military actions among European powers.

Image source: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Christmas Truce

Dec 24, 1914 - Dec 25, 1914

On Christmas Eve, soldiers from both sides of the Western Front spontaneously declared unofficial ceasefires, exchanging gifts, singing carols, and playing football, demonstrating a brief moment of humanity amidst the horrors of war.

Image source: Christmas truce

Christmas Truce

Russian Revolution

Feb 23, 1917

The February Revolution in Russia led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a Provisional Government, marking the first step towards the eventual Bolshevik revolution and the end of the Russian Empire.

Image source: Russian Revolution

Russian Revolution

Diplomatic Events

Austria-Hungary issues an ultimatum to Serbia

Jul 23, 1914

Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with an ultimatum, demanding a series of concessions following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Serbia's response failed to meet all the demands, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.

Image source: July Crisis

Austria-Hungary issues an ultimatum to Serbia

Germany declares war on Russia

Aug 1, 1914

Germany declared war on Russia, marking the beginning of hostilities between the Central Powers and the Allied Powers.

Germany declares war on France

Aug 3, 1914

Germany declared war on France, as part of its strategy to swiftly defeat France before turning its full attention to the Eastern Front.

Germany invades Belgium

Aug 4, 1914

Germany violated Belgian neutrality and launched an invasion, aiming to bypass French fortifications and quickly advance into France.

United States enters the war

Apr 6, 1917

The United States declared war on Germany, joining the Allied Powers in response to unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram, which proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States.

Image source: World War I

United States enters the war

Armistice of Compiègne

Nov 11, 1918

The Armistice of Compiègne was signed between the Allies and Germany, officially ending the hostilities of World War I. The armistice led to the eventual signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended the war and imposed harsh terms on Germany.

Image source: Armistice of 11 November 1918

Armistice of Compiègne

Major Battles

Battle of the Marne

Sep 6, 1914 - Sep 12, 1914

The Battle of the Marne was a major turning point in World War I, as the Allied forces successfully halted the German advance towards Paris, leading to a stalemate and the establishment of trench warfare.

Image source: First Battle of the Marne

Battle of the Marne

First Battle of Ypres

Oct 19, 1914 - Nov 22, 1914

The First Battle of Ypres was a prolonged and bloody battle, where Allied forces defended the strategic town of Ypres in Belgium against German attacks, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

Image source: First Battle of Ypres

First Battle of Ypres

Battle of Verdun

Feb 21, 1916 - Dec 18, 1916

The Battle of Verdun was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War I. Lasting for almost ten months, it resulted in heavy casualties and immense suffering for both the French and German forces, with little territorial gain.

Image source: Battle of Verdun

Battle of Verdun

Battle of the Somme

Jul 1, 1916 - Nov 18, 1916

The Battle of the Somme was one of the largest and deadliest battles of World War I, with British and French forces launching a massive offensive against German positions. The battle resulted in enormous casualties on all sides and limited territorial gains.

Image source: Battle of the Somme

Battle of the Somme

Second Battle of the Marne

Jul 15, 1918 - Aug 6, 1918

The Second Battle of the Marne was a significant Allied victory, marking the turning point of the war. Allied forces successfully repelled a major German offensive, leading to a series of successful counteroffensives that ultimately pushed the Central Powers towards defeat.

Image source: Second Battle of the Marne

Second Battle of the Marne

Technological Advancements

Sinking of the Lusitania

May 7, 1915

The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland, leading to the deaths of 1,198 passengers, including 128 Americans. This event significantly influenced public opinion and eventually led to the United States' entry into the war.

Image source: Sinking of the RMS Lusitania

Sinking of the Lusitania

Key Facts

  1. The war began on July 28, 1914, with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
  2. The main causes of the war were militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.
  3. Trench warfare was a prominent feature of the war, with soldiers living in confined and unsanitary conditions.
  4. New weapons such as machine guns, tanks, and poison gas were used for the first time in major conflicts.
  5. The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, officially ended the war and laid the foundation for the League of Nations.

Source

This World War I timeline was generated with the help of AI using information found on the internet.

We strive to make these timelines as accurate as possible, but occasionally inaccurates slip in. If you notice anything amiss, let us know at [email protected] and we'll correct it for future visitors.

Create a timeline like this one for free

Preceden lets you create stunning timelines using AI or manually.

Try it For Free