Events that led to WWI

  • Military alliance

    Military alliance
    France and Russia formed a military alliance in 1849 which would cause problems for Germany in the years to come
  • Triple Alliance was Formed

    Triple Alliance was Formed
    Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance
  • Period: to

    Military Growth

    European armies doubled in size during this timespan
  • Triple Entente was Formed

    Triple Entente was Formed
    France, Great Britian, and Russia formed the Triple Entente
  • Period: to

    Balkan Crisis

    Austria-Hungary and Russia rivaled one another for influence in Balkans.
  • Revenge

    Revenge
    by this time all the European states were angry with one another and eager for revenge.
  • Serbian Problem

    Serbian Problem
    Serbia, supported by Russia, wanted a large, independent Slavic state in the Balkans. Austria-Hungary, which had its own Slavic minorities to contend with didn't wnat that to happen. Many Europans saw political danger in this situation.
  • Assassination of Ferdinand

    Assassination of Ferdinand
    Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophia, visited the Bosnian city of Sarajevo. The archduke and his wife were both shot and killed by Gavrilo Princip.
  • Blank Cheque

    Blank Cheque
    Austria- Hungray wanted to attack Serbia but feared Russia's involvment on Serbia's behalf, so they looked to Emperor William II of Germany for support. He responed with a "blank cheque,' saying that Austria -Hungary could rely on Germany's "full support," even if that meant war with Austria-Hungary and Russia.
  • Ultimatum to Serbia

    Ultimatum to Serbia
    Austrian leader sent an ultimatum to Serbia. In it, they made such extreme demands that Serbia had little choice but to reject some of them in order to preserve its sovereignty.
  • War declared on Serbia

    War declared on Serbia
    Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
  • Mobilization of the Russian Army

    Mobilization of the Russian Army
    Czar Nicholas II of Russia ordered partial mobilization of the Russian army against Austria-Hungary. Mblization is the process of assembling troops and supplies and making them ready for war. In 1914, mobilization was consiered an at of war.
  • Full Mobilization of Russian Army

     Full Mobilization of Russian Army
    Germany considers mobilization of Russian army an act of war
  • Germany declared War on Russia

    Germany declared War on Russia
    Germany declares war on Russia after Russia chooses to ignore demands to halt their mobilization.
  • Germany Declares War on France

    Germany Declares War on France
    Germany declaers wa on France. Also, around the same time, they issued an ultimatum to Belgium demanding the right of German troops to pass through Belgium demamnding the right of German troops to pass through Belgium territory. Belgium however, was a neutral nation.
  • Great Britian declares war on Germany

    Great Britian declares war on Germany
    Germany violated Begian neutrality. Britian, which was allied with France and Russia, was concerned about maintaining its own world power.
  • WWI Begins

    WWI Begins
    By August 4, all the great powers of Europe were at war.
  • Irish Independence

    Irish Independence
    Irish achieved Independence in 1914