The Year of 1917

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January 10

Allies state peace objectives in response to US President Woodrow Wilson’s December 1916 peace note

January 31

Germany announces unrestricted submarine warfare

February 1

Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare

February 3

US severs diplomatic ties with Germany

February 23 – April 5

German forces begin withdrawal to strong positions on the Hindenburg Line

February 24

Zimmermann Telegram is passed to the US by Britain, detailing alleged German proposal of an alliance with Mexico against the US

February 26

US President Woodrow Wilson requests permission from Congress to arm US merchantmen

March 1

Zimmermann Telegram published in US press

March 11

British capture Baghdad

March 12

US President Woodrow Wilson announces arming of US merchantmen by executive order after failing to win approval from Congress

March 15

Tsar Nicholas II abdicates as a consequence of Russian Revolution

March 20

US President Woodrow Wilson’s war cabinet votes unanimously in favour of declaring war on Germany

April 2

US President Woodrow Wilson delivers war address to Congress

April 6

US declares war on Germany

April 9-20

Nivelle Offensive (Second Battle of Aisne, Third Battle of Champagne) ends in French failure

April 16

Lenin arrives in Russia

April 29 – May 20

Mutiny breaks out among French army

May 12 – October 24

10th, 11th and 12th Battles of Isonzo fought, ending in Italian failure

May 28

Pershing leaves New York for France

June 7

British explode 19 large mines under the Messines Ridge

June 15

US Espionage Act passed

June 26

First US troops arrive in France, 1st Division

June 27

Greece enters the war on the side of the Allies

July 2

Pershing makes first request for army of 1,000,000 men

July 6

T.E. Lawrence and the Arabs capture Aquaba

July 11

Pershing revises army request figures upwards to 3,000,000

July 16

Third Battles of Ypres (Passchendaele) begins

July 31

Major British offensive launched at Ypres.

September 1

Germany takes the northernmost end of the Russian front in the Riga offensive

October 24

Austria-Germany breakthrough at Caporetto on Italian front

November 7

Bolshevik Revolution in Russia results in Communist government under Lenin taking office

November 20

British launch surprise tank attack at Cambrai

December 7

US declares war on Austria-Hungary

December 9

Jerusalem falls to Britain

December 22

Russia opens separate peace negotiations with Germany (Brest-Litovsk)

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