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Austria-Hungary Takes Control of Bosnia
• Austira-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia upset the balance of power in the Balkans.
• The treaty of Berlin was put in place to bring an end to this crisis. -
The Triple Alliance is Formed
• It was made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
• Provided international security because they were unwilling to interfere the balance of power -
The Triple Entente is Formed
• Consisted of France, Britain, and Russia
• Provided international security because they were unwilling to interfere the balance of power -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assassinated in Sarajevo
• He was visiting the Bosnian capital Sarajevo and as his royal entourage drove through the city, Gavrilo Princip came out of the crowd and shot the Archduke and his wife.
• These assassinations began a diplomatic crisis. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
• Threatened by Serbian ambition in the Balkans region of Europe and in proper response to the assassinations of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife this war was started.
• It was expected to be a short war, but ended up not being that short. -
Germany Invaded Belgium
• Through obligation by the treaty to support Austria-Hungary, Germany declared war on Russia.
• As the German armies drove through Belgium, people fled in terror. This is also known as the "Rape of Beligum" for violating it's neutrality. -
A German U-Boat Sinks the Lusitania
• 1,198 people were killed & 128 of them were Americans.
• American public opinion turned against Germany and the Central Powers because they were angry with them despite their explanation. -
The First Battle of the Somme Begins
• There was a total of 1.2 million causalties.
• This bloody trench warfare, in which armies fought for mere yards of ground, continued for over three years. -
The Zimmerman Note is Discovered
• This was a telegram from the German foreign minister to the German ambassador in Mexico that was intercepted by British agents.
• This telegram proposed an alliance between Mexico and Germany and promised that if war with the US broke out, Germany would support Mexico in recovering “lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.” -
The United States Declares War on Germany
• After much debate as to whether the United States should join the fight, Congress voted in favor of U.S. entry into World War I.
• It was an easy victory since Germany had been fighting for 3 years and the U.S.' more than notable military.
