• Setting the Stage

    Peace in Europe was 'achieved'
  • Duel Alliance

    Alliance is formed between Austria-Hungary and Germany
  • Taking Allies from France

    Germany was collecting and making treaties and allies to isolate France, so the country wouldn't be a threat to them. they took another ally from France by making a treaty with Russia.
  • Triple Alliance

    Italy joins Germany and Austria-Hungarys alliance, forming the triple alliance.
  • Germany takes a new leader

    Kaiser Wilhelm II became the ruler of Germany and forced Bismarck to resign. he took great pride in the military.
  • Russia and Germany

    Wilhelm let his treaty with Russia lapse (when the benefits and rights stated in contract no longer remain active)
  • France and Russia alliance

    In response to Germany lapsing their treaty, Russia formed a defensive military alliance with France in 1892-1894
  • The rise of Nationalism

    tensions arose In Europe. Nationalism means deep devotion to ones nation and can cause competition between nations. mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. France and Germany were still angered by the recent Franco-Prussian War, and Austria-Hungary and Russia both wanted to dominate the balkans.
  • Rivals

    By 1907, the triple alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the triple entente (Great Britain, France, and Russia) were close to war.
  • Triple Entente

    Germany had began building its navy in order to try and match that of Great Britains. Britain was alarmed, and formed an alliance with France. in 1907, Britain formed an alliance with both Russia and France. this didn't state Britain would fight with/for them, but it guaranteed they would not fight against them.
  • Austria Annexed

    Austria took over Bosnia and Herzegovina. two nations with large slavic populations. Serbian rulers who wanted to rule these provinces were outraged by this. tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia steadily rose.
  • Imperialism and Militarism

    the nations in Europe were constantly fighting over and rushing to claim different territories, sometimes on the brink of war. but what was more dangerous was the race to improve their militaries. they thought that having a stronger military made them better than other nations. Generals were coming up with efficient plans and militaries were being improved. many viewed having an army on stand by as strong, and citizens felt patriotic about their countries when they grew stronger.
  • Tha assisination

    Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. On June 28, 1914 they were shot at post blank range. they were killed by a 19-year-old Serbian and member of the Black Hand. the black hand was a secret society committed to ridding Bosnia of Austrian rule. On July 23rd, Austria-Hungary decided to punish Serbia with a list of demands. Serbia offered to give in to some of the demands. Austria-Hungary was unsatisfied and declared war on July 28th.
  • The assassination: part 2

    Russia was an ally of Serbia, and quickly took action. they began moving towards the Austrian border. Many of both Austria-Hungarys allies and Russia allies urged them to negotiate, but neither listened.