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End of Franco-Prussian War
End of Franco-Prussian War leaves France with loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany. This made regaining territory a major priority for France. -
Emperor's League formed
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia form the Emperor's League in order to diplomatically isolate France.*exact date unavailable -
Triple Alliance formed *approx date TURNING POINT
Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary forms the Triple Alliance. Italy to remain neutral if war between Russia and Austria-Hungary. Germany and AH would protect Italy from France. -
Wilhelm II
Wilhelm II is proclaimed Wilhelm Kaiser II ruler of Germany at 29years old. -
Tsar Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas is crowned Tsar, Germany and Russia do not renew their friendship treaty. The rivalry between the two countries begins. -
Hague Conference
Efforts for worldwide disarmment -
Queen Victoria's Death
Queen Victoria of Great Britain dies. -
End of Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905
Defat for Russians in Russo-Japanese War, results in civil unrest in Russia. -
British launch first Dreadnought ship
Admiral Sir John Fisher (British) launches the first Dreadnought battlleship -
Second Hague Conference begins
Continued efforts for worldwide disarmment, little accomplished -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia TURNING POINT
Emperor franz Joseph declares war.Austria-Hungary believes Serbia conspired against them with assassination of Franz Ferdinand. -
Assassinatio of Archduke Franz Ferdinand TURNING POINT
The Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire is assassinted in Sarajevo.Assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, member of the Black Hand. -
Russia-Full mobilization TURNING POINT
As an ally of Serbia, Russia announces full mobilization of armed forces. -
Germany threatens war TURNING POINT
Germnay threatens war if Russia does not demobilize. France moblized. -
Germany declares war on Russia
Germany mobilizes armed forces and declares war on Russia. -
Germany declares war on France
Germany declares war on France -
Germany declares war on France TURNING POINT
In order fro Germanty to quickly defeat France, Germnay must first invade Belgium. -
Britain declares war on Germany
As a result of Germany invading neutral Belgium, Britain declares war on Germany. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia -
The Battle of the Frontiers
27,000 French soldiers die in one day on an offensive thrust east of Paris. -
Battle of Tennenberg
The Germans have their greatest victory on the Eastern front of Russia led by Erich Ludendorff and Paul von Hindenburg. -
First Battle of Marne
The First Battle of marne halts the German invasion of France. -
Standing Armies *approx date
The standing armies of France and Germany doubled since 1870 -
Christmas Truce
An unofficial Christmas Truce is held along the Western Front. -
War becomes Total War
*could not find the specific date
WW1 is declared Total War after German zeppelin air raid on England -
Submarine Blockade
Germany declares Submarine Blockade on great Britain. This means that any ship approaching England is now a legitimate target. -
Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
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British Conscription Law
British government passed the Military Service Act in 1916. The act stated that single men aged 18 to 45 years old were liable to be called up for military service unless they were widowed with children or ministers of a religion. -
Period: to
Battle of Verdun
Longest battle of teh War, estimated 1million casualties. -
Vimy Ridge
Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge -
Period: to
Battle of Jutland
The only major naval battle fought in WWI. No clear winner. -
Period: to
Battle of the Somme
No breakthrougth for allies, estimated 1million casualties. Tank introduced-no major advantage as too few. -
US President re-elected
Woodrow Wilson re-elected with the slogan "He kept us out of war" -
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister of Britain. -
Tsar Nicholas II
Tsar Nicholas II abdicates, provisonal government is formed. -
Wilson asks permission for war
US president asks Congress fro permission to declare war on Imperial Germany. -
Chemin de Dames
French launch offensive, results are distarorous. The French gain only 500yds after 250,000+ casualties. -
French Soldiers Mutiny
500,000+ French soldiers refuse to continue failed offensive at Chemin de Dames -
Selectice Service Act
US passes Selective Service Act, empowers Federal Government to draft men for the armed forces. -
US Expeditionary
First wave of US soldiers arrive in France -
Somme
Allied defences push Germans into retreat at the Somme -
German Sailors Mutiny
German Sialors refuse to leave port when ordered to fight a pointless naval battle -
Armistice with Germany
New Russian government signs armstice with Germany, led by Leon Trotsky -
British Capture Jerusalem
The British capture Jerusalem from the Turks and its Arab allies. -
Red Baron
Baron von Richthofen is killed in an air "dog-fight" -
German shells land on Paris
German shells land on Paris -
Period: to
Terms of Treaty-3 Versailles Consequences
-Invaded land returned to original countries
-Germany forced to admit full responsibility for starting a war
-Germany's Army reduced to 100,000, army not allowed tanks -
Hindenberg
Allied troops push through German fortifications at Hindenberg -
Turks sign armistice
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William Kaiser II Abdicates
Kaiser abdicates and flees to Holland -
German republic
A german republic is founded -
WWI WAR ENDS
On teh 11th day at the 11th hour at 11'o'clock, Germany and the Allies sign an armistice. WWI ends. -
*approx date Demobilization
Demobilization of armies, millions return home. -
Peace Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations TURNING POINT
The Peace Treaty of Versailles is signed by Germany and the Allies. Lloyd George of Britain, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, George Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson off the US. League of Nations formed. -
*approx date Wilson-Versailles
President Wilson brings his campaign for the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles and its League of Nations to US -
Versailles Ratification
The US Senate fails to ratify the Peace Treaty of Versailles and US involvement in League of Nations. -
Russian Civil War Ends *approx date
After three years of fighting, the Russian civil war ends.The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and Trotsky, are left in full control. Date is arguable. -
Period: to
*approx end date Hitler imprisoned
Adolf Hitler is sentenced to 5yrs in prison for sedition. After 9 months he is released. -
Hitler named Chancellor
Adolf Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany by President Hindenberg. Influenced by fascist Italy, Hitler and the Nzis party promised to bring Germany out of its depression. The German currency was falling in value and the economy had been ruined. The Nazis government stopped the reparation payments and concentrated on the expansion of the counrtry's armed forces. The government abolished all other political parties and trade unions. Hitler was being called "der fuhrer" (leader). -
Concentration Camp
The first of many concentration camps is formed at Oranienburg outside Berlin. -
Dictorial Power
The Enabling Act gives Adolf Hitler dictorial power. It is the end of democracy in Germany, On February 27th 1933, the Nazis had burned the Reichstag building and blamed it on the communists claiming an uprising was imminent. They created an atmossphere of panic that made the dictatorship seem necessary. -
Nazis Party declared only German Political Party
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Germany quits the League of Nations
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Adolf Hitler becomes Fuhrer
With the death of Hindenburg, Hitler seizes total control of Germany by elevating himself to the position of Fuhrer. -
Hitler Violates Treaty
Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles with the introduction of militray conscription in Germany. -
Jews Stripped of Rights
Jews are stripped of rights under Nuremberg Race Law. The Law deprived Jews of citzenship, declaring them "subjects" under Hitler's Reich. After these laws were released, dozens of other supplemental laws were brought in, outlawing Jews completely and removing their rights as human beings. -
Norway and Denmark
Germany invades Norway and Denmark. -
Germany Invades
German troops storm the Netherlands, Luxemburg, and Belgium. Denmark and Norway had already fallen. -
British Withdraw
British forces in France withdraw. French Allies beaten. -
French ask for Armistice
French ask for armistice. -
Non-Aggression Pact
Hitler makes a non-aggresssion pact with Stalin in Moscow. Agreeement contains a seccret clause: agreement to carve up Eastern Europe -
WWII Begins
German invasion of Poland. Britain issues an ultimatum to Germany to withdraw troops from Poland or face intervention from Britain. Ultimatum not answered by Germany. Britain marches to war. -
War on Germany
Britain, Australia, New Zealand and France declare war on Germany. -
Canada declares war on Germany
Battle of the Atlantic begins. -
Poland conquered
Poland is conquered by German forces. Hitler turns his attention to the West. -
Nazi Euthanasia
Hitler begins the widespread euthanasia of all sick or disabled. Patients had to be reported if they suffered from schizophrenia, epilepsy, senile disorders, therapy resistant paralysis and syphilitic diseases, retardation, encephalitis, Huntington's chorea and other neurological conditions. Without exmination or checking medical records, three doctors would decide whether to send sick children to a Children's Specialty Dept. where they would face death by gradual starvation or lethal injection. -
Soviets Atteck Finland
The Soviet Union attacks Finland and is expelled from the League of Nations becasue of it. -
Rationing begins in Britain
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Germany invades+Churchill
Winston Churchill becomes primeminister of Great Britain. Germany invades Holland -
Germany invades France
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Home Guard Forms
Britain turns attention to defence. Home Guard formed from home defence volunteers. It was comprised of men too young or too old to fight in the army. -
Belgium Surrenders
Belgium surrenders to German forces. -
Itlay declares war on Britain and France
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Nazis enter Paris
Nazis march into Paris, beginning the four year occupation of the city. -
France signs Armistice
France signs an armistice with Nazis Germany -
The Battle of Britain Begins
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Hitler declares blockade
Hitler declares a blockade of the British Isles -
First British Airaid on Berlin
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Blitz Began
An intense period of bombings on London and surrounding cities began. Hitler wanted to demoralize the British population. For the next 57 days, London was bombed either every day or night. The Blitz continued until the following May. -
US Military Conscription Bill Passed
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Tripartite
Italy, Germany and Japan sign Tripartite Pact. Also known as the Axis Pact or Three Power Pact. -
Italy invades Greece
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Hungary joins Axis Powers
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Greek Victory
Greeks defeat Italian army -
Romania joins Axis Powers
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Greece Surrenders
Greece surrenders to Nazis power. -
Blitz Ends
Hitler calls off the Blitz, he moves bombers to the East in order to prepare for the invasion of Russia. Over 4,000 people had been killed in the Blitz and over 2 million homes had been destroyed. -
German soldiers cross Russian borders
3 million Nazis troops move to the East despite non-aggression pact. This is the largest invasion force in history. German troops cross the border on this day with 3,000 tanks attacking on three fronts. German advance is rapid at around 40miles a day. -
Germans capture Minsk
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Nazis capture Kiev
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Murder in Kiev
Nazis murder 33,771 Jews in Kiev -
German attack on Moscow Abandoned
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Pearl Harbor
The US enters the war. Pearl Harbor, a military base situated in Hawaii is bombed by the Japanese. Honolulu is also bombed. A European conflict is now a world war. -
US and Britain declare war on Japan
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Stalin and Churchill meet in Moscow
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Battle of Stalingard begins
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British Commandos
Hitler orders the execution of all captured British commandos. -
Germans surrender at Stalingard
This marks the frist large Hitler defeat -
Allies take Tunisia
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Mussolini Arrested
Mussolini is arrested and the Italian facist government falls. Bagdolio assumes control and begins negociation with Allies. -
Italian surrender to Allies
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Italy declares war on Germany
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Oradour Sur Glane
Nazis commit mass murder of entire town. Killing and burning 642 men, women and children. Town was suspected of harbouring explosives. -
Caen
British and Canadian troops liberate Caen, France. -
Anne Frank
Anne Frank and her family arrested by the Gestapo in Amsterdam, Holland. -
Liberation of Paris
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Last use of gas chambers at Auschwitz
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Soviets capture Warsaw
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Soviets liberate Auschwitz
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Soviets reach Berlin
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Hitler commits suicide
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Unconditional surrender of all German forces to Allies
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Allies take control of German government
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First Atomic Bomb
The first atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. -
Soviets declare war on Japan
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Second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan
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Japanese Unconditional Surrender
On Spetember 2nd, the Japanese will sign the papers agreeing to unconditional surrender and the War will be officially over. -
End of WWII
The exact end date is not universally agreed on. WWII ended with over 50million fatalities. It resulted in the creation of the Soviet Union and the US as superpowers. The war is the deadliest conflict in human history. -
The United Nations is born
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Nuremberg War trials begin
The four counts in the indictment were:
Count 1 - CONSPIRACY to commit crimes alleged in the next three counts.
Count 2 - CRIMES AGAINST PEACE including planning, preparing, starting, or waging aggressive war.
Count 3 - WAR CRIMES including violations of laws or customs of war.
Count 4 - CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY including murder, extermination, enslavement, persecution on political or racial grounds, involuntary deportment, and inhumane acts against civilian populations.
