Timeline - 1917 
The First World War spanned four years and involved many nation states. However, the U.S.A.  was not one of them because American leaders largely viewed the war as a European problem.  By 1917 a stalemate had emerged as the war degenerated into a vicious and bloody war of  attrition. The winter of 1916-17 is often referred to as the “turnip winter” in Germany as regular  Germans suffered extreme hardships including starvation and cold caused by scarcity of food  and supplies.  
This section lists the events of the year 1917, the fourth year of the war. 1917 is often  considered a “turning point” of the war. Events occurred which eventually led to the collapse of  the German army and the ultimate victory of the Allies (Triple Entente) in the following year. 
As you read the following timeline, consider the cause and effect relationships between  events (i.e. look for causation). Using the graphic organizer, try to pinpoint the three  major events and their consequences.  
Date Event 
January 10 Allies state peace objectives in response to US President Woodrow Wilson's  December 1916 peace note 
February 1 Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare. This means any ships  carrying supplies to Britain or France will be destroyed by German U-boats. 
February 3 US breaks diplomatic ties with Germany after an American cargo ships are  destroyed by u-boats.  
February 10 The first use of the convoy system for British merchant ships taking coal to  France. 
February 24 Zimmermann Telegram is passed to the US by Britain. This telegram  outlines a German proposal of an alliance with Mexico against the US. 
February 25th: Another U.S. Cargo ship is sunk by a U boat and four US citizens die.  President Wilson calls this “an overt act”. 
March 1 Zimmermann Telegram published in US press 
∙ US President Woodrow Wilson announces arming of US cargo  
ships. 

March 12 
∙ In Russia, massive protests against the government of Tsar Nicholas  II (King of Russia). Russian troops and join the protests which are  escalating into a revolution. 

March 15 Tsar Nicholas II abdicates (abandons) 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 Canadian success at the Battle of Vimy Ridge 
April 16 Russian Communist leader Vladimir 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 Britain introduces its convoy system to protect vital cargo shipments from  

May 24 
Canada and the U.S. Under this system, a group of 10 to 50 cargo and troop  ships carrying supplies, arms or soldiers—are escorted by a cruisers,  destroyers and torpedo boats to protect against German U-boat attacks. 

June 26 First US troops arrive in France, 1st Division 
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. 
October 30 Italian army suffers huge loss at the Battle of Caporetto. November 7 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia results in Communist government under Lenin  taking control of Russian Government.  
December 7 US declares war on Austria-Hungary 
December 15 An armistice was signed between Germany and Russia. Russia pulls out of  WW1.  
December 22 Russia opens separate peace negotiations with Germany (Brest-Litovsk)
1917: The Turning Point of The First World War 
Three events occur in 1917 that change the war drastically:
Event (Cause) 
Consequence













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