1914 marked a turning point in global history, witnessing significant events in politics, science, culture, and technology that would reshape the world order. Most notably, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered a chain reaction that led to the outbreak of World War I, an event that dramatically altered the course of the 20th century.
Politics and International Relations
June 28: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo. This act, carried out by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, sparked the July Crisis and ultimately led to World War I.
July Crisis (July 5 – August 4): A period of escalating diplomatic and military tensions among the major European powers following the assassination. Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, leading to declarations of war.
July 28: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, marking the official beginning of World War I.
August 1: Germany declares war on Russia after Russia mobilizes its troops in support of Serbia.
August 3: Germany declares war on France, activating the Schlieffen Plan, a military strategy to invade France through Belgium.
August 4: Germany invades neutral Belgium. The United Kingdom declares war on Germany in response to the violation of Belgian neutrality.
August 23-26: Battle of Tannenberg. German forces decisively defeat the Russian army on the Eastern Front.
First Battle of the Marne (September 6-12): A crucial battle on the Western Front, where French and British forces halt the German advance on Paris, preventing a swift German victory. This led to the establishment of trench warfare.
United States Declaration of Neutrality: On August 4, United States President Woodrow Wilson declares the United States to be neutral in the European conflict. Despite this official stance, American sentiment and economic ties would gradually shift towards the Allied powers.
Occupation of Veracruz: April 21, the United States occupies Veracruz, Mexico, in response to the Tampico Affair and ongoing instability in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. This strained relations between the two countries.
Science and Technology
Henry Moseley's discovery: British physicist Henry Moseley, through his experiments with X-ray spectra, provided definitive evidence for the relationship between atomic number and the charge of the atomic nucleus. His work significantly advanced understanding of the periodic table and atomic structure.
First successful use of blood transfusion with stored blood: World War I spurred significant advancements in medical technology, including techniques for blood transfusions with stored blood. This greatly improved the survival rates of wounded soldiers.
Automatic transmission development: Although not widely available to consumers, early forms of automatic transmissions were being developed for automobiles. This laid the groundwork for the widespread adoption of automatic transmissions in later decades.
Culture
Publication of "Dubliners" by James Joyce: This collection of short stories, depicting life in Dublin, Ireland, marked a significant contribution to modernist literature.
Charlie Chaplin's first film appearance: Charlie Chaplin made his film debut in "Making a Living", marking the beginning of his illustrious career as a comedic actor and filmmaker.
Founding of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP): Established to protect the copyright of musical works and ensure that composers and publishers were compensated for public performances of their work.
Margaret Sanger coins the term "birth control": The phrase appears in Sanger's magazine, The Woman Rebel.
United States Specific Events
Federal Trade Commission Act: The United States Congress passed the Federal Trade Commission Act, establishing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent unfair methods of competition in commerce.
Clayton Antitrust Act: The Clayton Antitrust Act was passed to supplement the Sherman Antitrust Act, further regulating corporate behavior and labor practices in the United States. It aimed to prevent monopolies and protect consumers.
Mother's Day Officially Established: President Woodrow Wilson proclaims the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
The "Great Migration" Begins: Although it had been ongoing on a small scale, 1914 marks the beginning of a significant increase in the migration of African Americans from the Southern United States to the Northern cities, seeking economic opportunities and escaping racial discrimination.