In 1900 Europe was dominated by Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia, and Austria-Hungary

Austria-Hungary’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife, Sophie, are assassinated

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia The Archduke and his wife were killed by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip while visiting Sarajevo. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

Three of the four biggest belligerents in that horrible episode were lead by three men who had the same grandmother. They were Kaiser Wilhelm II of the German Empire, Czar Nicholas II of the Russian Empire and King George V of the United Kingdom.

Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, Russia (Later Italy) Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey (Ottoman Empire) Italy (Switched Sides)

U.S. NEUTRALITY In 1914 – President Woodrow Wilson announced a policy of neutrality – refusing to take sides in the war. Trade was booming because the U.S. sold food, arms, and other supplies to the Allies. President Woodrow Wilson ran reelection in 1916 on the platform “He Kept Us Out of War”

Zimmerman Telegram German foreign minister told the German Ambassador to Mexico to get Mexico to join Germany’s side in the War. In exchange Germany would help Mexico gain Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

Passenger ship Lusitania is sunk by a German submarine. 120+ Americans were killed.

Sussex Pledge A promise made in 1916 during World War I by Germany to the United States Passenger ships would not be targeted; Merchant ships would not be sunk until the presence of weapons had been established, if necessary by a search of the ship; Merchant ships would not be sunk without provision for the safety of passengers and crew. In 1917, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine. The Sussex pledge was rescinded in January 1917, United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.