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Strategic Alliances for a Secure, Connected, and Prosperous Region
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Timeline of World War I and the Balfour Declaration

 

June 28, 1914: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia in July; Russia allied with Serbia. Germany invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.

August 4, 1914: The United Kingdom declared war on Germany.

November 1914: Ottoman Empire Joined Germany (the Central Powers).

January 26, 1915: Encouraged by Germany, Turkey attacked British troops in an attempt to capture the Suez Canal, cutting British lines to India.

Soldiers

April 25, 1915: Gallipoli campaign, British ships attacked the Dardanelles; British, French, and Australian troops invade Turkish territory.

Turkish troops leaving Jerusalem, headed to Gallipoli
Turkish troops leaving Jerusalem, headed to Gallipoli

May 9, 1916: Sykes-Picot Agreement.

The original Sykes-Picot map with their signatures, bottom right.
The original Sykes-Picot map with their signatures, bottom right.

June 1916: Battle of Mecca launched the Arab Revolt.

April 6, 1917: U.S. Congress declared war against Germany.

October 31, 1917: British and Australian troops captured Be’er Sheva with the assistance of Palestinian Jews’ intelligence. The way was open for Allenby’s army to the coast and Jerusalem.

Australian troops

November 2, 1917: Balfour Declaration issued

Balfour Declaration
Copy of the Balfour Declaration sent to Lord Walter Rothschild, November 2, 1917

December 9, 1917: Surrender of Jerusalem to the British. Allenby entered the city on December 11, 1917.

General Allenby entering Jerusalem December 11, 1917.
General Allenby entering Jerusalem December 11, 1917.
(Library of Congress)

April, 1918: Battles for Transjordan.

September 19, 1918: Battle of Megiddo. The British army pushed the Turks back to Damascus which fell to the British in October 1918.

October 30, 1918: The Armistice Agreement of Mudros signed, ending hostilities in the region between the British and the Ottoman Empire.