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The Formation of the Triple Alliance
Originally the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary, the Triple Alliance was made up by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The alliance was formed by Prussia's chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, in an attempt to conserve peace in Europe. He thought it neccessary to form an alliance to isolate France because he believed that they still wanted revenge from the Franco-Prussian war. The Triple Alliances was one of the alliances that created a feeling in Europe that war would soon erupt. -
Germany joins Russian in an Alliance
Because Otto von Bismarck was fearful of Germany fighting a two-front war, he made the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia. The treaty made sure Russia would not attack Germany but did not require Russia to come to Germany's aid if they attacked France and Germany did not have to help Russia if it declared war against Austria-Hungary. This treaty effected the war because it assured that Germany (major power) would not have to fight a two-front war. http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/reinsurancetreat -
A Change of Foreign Policy and a Forced Resignation
Unlike Bismarck whos goal was to keep peace in Europe, Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to show the world how strong and powerful Germany was. He was a military leader who had no desire in sharing power with anyone. Thus, he forced Otto von Bismarck to resign and changed Germany's foreign policy. This event in the war was significant because it resulted in Germany losing an alliance, Russia. -
Russia Forms Defensive Military Alliance with France
As a result of Kaiser Wilhelm II allowing the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia to lapse in 1890, Russia formed a defensive military alliance with France in 1892 and 1894. Thsi event was the exact fear of the late Otto von Bismarck. This event is significant in the war because since the treaty no longer existed, Germany would have to fight a two front war on its borders. -
The Entente Cordiale
As Kaiser Wilhelm II began to build up Germany's naval power in an attempt to equal Great Britain's, Britain became worried and felt threatened by the act. As a result, Britain formed an entente with France and signed the Entente Cordiale, or "friendly agreement". This event effected the war because it meant that even more countries were tangled in the unrest that existed in Europe. -
The Triple Entente
After the Entente Cordiale, Britain made another entente with Russia and France. This entente was called the Triple Entente. The entente did not mean that Britain, France, and Russia would fight together, but that the powers would not fight against each other. This event was significant in the war because it solidified the two rival alliance groups in Europe: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. -
The Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Ferdinand
The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand, and his wife Sophie visited Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, to provide a peace treaty to the Serbs that lived there. The couple was shot in an open car by a member of the Black Hand (Serbian nationalist group) named Gavrilo Princip. The shooter was only nineteen years old. The assasination had a significant affect on the war because it the spark that turned all of Europe into upheaval by triggering the start of World War I. -
Austria presents Serbia with an Ultimatum
Austria used the murders as an excse to punish Serbia. They gave Serbia and ultimatum that had many demands, all of which Serbia complied except for one. Serbia would not let Austria-Hungary investigate the assasinations because they were fearful that they would lose their independence if they let Austria-Hungary inside their borders. This ultimatium was significant because it started the war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, leading to a war between all of their alliances (world war). -
Austria Declares War on Bosnia and Russia Orders Mobilization toward the Austrian Border
When Serbia did not submit to all of the ultimatum's demands, Austria-Hungary declared war on them. On that same day, Russia (an ally with Serbia because of its largely Slavic population) ordered the mobilization of troops to the Austrian borders. These events effected the war because it led to all of the countries of the rival alliances to declare war on each other. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
Germany declared war on Russia because of their mobilizing along the German border. They sent troops along the border because they expected Germany would come to the aid of Austria-Hungary because they were allies. This event effected the war because it meant that another world power would be engaged in the war. -
The Battle of Tannenberg
Russia was initially successful on the Eastern Front against Austria-Hungary. However, after the Battle of Tannenberg, the counterattack on Russia by Germany, Russia kept experiencing defeat. The reason for their steady decline was accounted to a lack of industrialization (no new weaponry, no resources, etc.). This event effected the war because their losses and lack of support ultimately led to revolution in Russia and their leaving the war. -
Germany Declares War on France
Understanding that Russia would look to its ally France for help, just two days after declaring war on Russia Germany declared war on France. This event effected the war because it made the conflict even larger. -
Britain Declares War on Germany
Because Great Britain's allies, Russia and France, were engaged in war, Britain declared war on Germany. This event effected the war because it meant that most European nations were locked into war. -
The First Battle of the Marne
The Allies attacked the Germans at the Marne River, northeast of Paris. Every soldier available was forced into battle and when more soldiers were needed over 600 taxicabs brought soldiers from Paris to the battle front. The fighting lasted four days until Germany retreated. This battle is considered the most pivotal battle in the war because it destroyed the Germans' Schleiffen Plan, forced Germany to fight a two-front war, and made a quick, short war seem impossible. -
The Ottoman Empire Formally Joins the Central Powers
The Ottoman Empire was an ally with Britain when the war began, but it was not until October 1914 that they formally joined the Central Powers. This alliance effected the war because it made the Central Powers one nation stronger. -
The Battle of Limanowa
Although the Russian forces fared well in the early stages of the Battle of Limanowa, the Austrians, with the help of Germany, defeat them. The Russians were forced to retreat. This battle was significant because it pushed the Russians out of Austria-Hungary, securing their land. -
The Allies Launch the Gallipoli Campaign
The purpose of the Gallipoli Campaign was for the Allies to take the Dardanelles Strait. If they had possession of the strait, the Allies thought they could capture the city of Constinople and defeat the Turks. They also thought it would be useful because they could use it to give Russia much needed supplies. It failed in December. This event effected the war bcause it prompted Bulgaria to join the Central Powers. -
Italay joins the Allies
After being promised Austrian lands, Italy joined the Allied forces. Until 1917, Italy mainly fought the Austrians alone. This event effected the war because it gave the Allies another country, which made them more powerful. -
Germany sinks the U.S.S. Lusitania
Germany's sinking the U.S.S. Lusitania was an example of unrestricted submarine warfare. It meant that German submarines would sink ships without warning. The attack on the British passenger ship the Lusitania left 1,198 people dead (128 of them were American citizens). This event effected the war because it outraged Americans, and ultimately provoked the U.S. to enter the war. -
The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was a German offensive in which they attacked the Allies in Verdun. The battle was long and bloody, with over one million casualties. The battle lasted until November 1916 when the Germans retreated back to the Hindenburg line. This effected the war because many, many lives were lost, but not much was gained. -
Germans Announce their Policy of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The Germans adapted a policy of submarine warfare in a desperate attempt to strike back at Great Britain for their naval blockade. Unrestricted submarine warfare meant that German submarines would sink without warning any ship in the waters around Britain. This event effected the war because it resulted in the loss of many lives (on Allies' side) and created even greater tensions between the two opposing great naval powers: Great Britain and Germany. -
The Zimmerman Note
The Zimmerman note was intercepted by the British, translated, and passed over to the American government. The note was intended for the German ambassador in Mexico from the Germans. The note said that if Mexico would ally with Germany, they would help them reconquer the land they had lost to the United States. When the American public heard about this, they demanded war against Germany. This event effected the wer because it was the tipping point of the U.S. entering the war. -
Woodrow Wilson ask Congress to Declare War on Germany
The anti-German sentiment in the United States was heightened even more by the Zimmerman note. It was the final thread of America's neutrality, and on April 2, 1917 the U.S. declared war on Germany. The United States entered the war on the side of the Allies because they had strong economic ties with them (and obviously wanted to defeat Germany). This decision effected the war because it made the Allied powers very strong and united. -
Russia leave World War I
Russia left the war because of war-related shortages on food and fuel (lack of supplies), the czar's government collapsed, and lack of support from citizens. All of these issues together led to revolutions erupting in Russia. After the second major revolution, the communist leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin seized power and offtered Germany a truce to leave the war. This effected the war because it led to Russia's formally signing a treaty to leave the war. -
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Since Russia wanted to leave the war, Germany and Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which officially ended the war between them. Unfortunatley, the terms of the treaty were hard on Russia. For example, Russia had to surrender many of its lands to Germany. This event effected the war because it meant that the Allies had lost an ally. -
The Second Battle of the Marne
A weakened German army presented a prime opportunity for the Allies to take advantage of. At the Second Battle of the Marne, over 350 Ally tanks pressed forward and crushed the German lines. The Allies continued to progress when two million more soldiers came to the river. This battle effected the war because it lead to the slow but steady surrender of all the Central Powers. -
Kaiser Wilhelm II Steps Down from Power and Germany Declares itself a Republic
As the German soldiers were being defeated, the citizens turned on the Kaiser. Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to step down and Germany became a republic. This event effected the war because it led to Germany's surrendering to the Allies. -
German Representative and French Commander Marshal Foch Signed an Armistice
The French and German representatives met in a forest near Paris. They signed an armistice which ended the war. An armistice is an agreement to stop fighting. This armistice effected the war because it officially ended the war!
