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Prussia and the German Kingdoms are United
King Wilhelm I is proclaimed Kaiser of a united German empire, the culmination of Otto Von Bismark's efforts to create a single nation. -
The Franco-Prussian War Ends
France is forced to sign a treaty with Germany that ends the Franco-Prussian War but humiliates the French. -
Wilhelm II Takes the Throne
Following the death of his grandfather, Wilhelm I, in March 1888, and his father, Frederick III, on 15 June 1888, Wilhelm III takes the throne in the German Empire. -
Nicholas II is Crowned Czar of Russia
Nicholas II becomes Emperor of Russia, despite feeling ill-prepared for the job. Russia, under Nicholas II's rule, does not renew a treaty of friendship with Germany, and tensions ensue. -
Queen Victoria Dies
Great Britain's longest ruling monarch, Queen Victoria, dies. Many of Europe's ruling houses can count Queen Victoria in their bloodlines. -
Bloody Sunday
Peaceful demonstators in St. Petersburg, on their way to present a petition to Czar Nicholas II, are gunned down by the Russian Imperial Guard. Nicholas II loses support from the workers and "common people" of Russia as the massacre is seen as a sign of his disregard for the ordinary people. -
The Russo-Japanese War
Beginning 8 February 1904, the Russo-Japanese War ends in a startling and disastrous Russian defeat. Japan's victory forces the West to reassess Japan's entry onto the world stage and the balance of power in East Asia. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assassinated
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, is assassinated along with his wife in Sarajevo. The assassin, a member of Young Bosnia, was one of many organized by the Black Hand. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
Emperor Franz-Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia after the assassination of his son and heir, Franz Ferdinand. -
Russia Enters the War
Because Russia is allied with Serbia, the Russian empire is forced to enter the war on the side of Serbia, against the Austro-Hungarian empire. Russia announces full mobilization. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
Germany declares war on Russia and mobilizes her military forces. -
Germany Declares War on France
Germany follows its declaration of war on Russia with a declaration of war on Russia's ally, France. -
Belgium is Invaded
Germany declares war on Belgium, despite Belgium's neutrality, and invades in the hopes of out-flanking France. With the attack on Belgium, Great Britain is drawn into declaring war on Germany due to Breat Britain's alliance with Belgium, -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Russia
The alliance system forces Austria-Hungary to declare war on the Russian empire. -
The Battle of the Frontiers
The Battle of the Frontiers began on 14 August and ended on 26 August and stretched from the eastern frontier of France to southern Belgium. On 22 August alone, 27,000 French soldiers died in an offensive maneuver heading for Germany's borders. -
The Battle of Tennenberg
The Battle of Tennenberg resulted in Germany's greatest victory on the eastern front against Russia. The Germany army, led by Erich Ludendorff and Paul von Hindenburg, nearly destroyed the Russian 2nd Army. -
First Battle of the Marne
The first Battle of the Marne, fought by German, French, and British armies, ended in a an Allied victory. The German army was halted in its march towards Paris, and was forced to retreat northeast. -
Trench Warfare
The first trenches of the Western Front are dug. -
Christmas Truce
Soldiers on the Western Front declared an unofficial truce for Christmas along the trenches. -
Zeppelin Raids
The first successful German zeppelin raids bomb England beginning on 19 January. WWI becomes a "total war." -
German Blockade of Great Britain
Germany declares a submarine blockade of Great Britain, accompanied with a warning that any approaching vessel will be considered a legitimate target. -
The Gallipoli Campaign
25 April marks the beginning of a 9 month Allied campaign intending to capture Constantinople and open a sea route to Russia. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A German U-boat sinks the Lusitania, killing 1,198 people onboard, including 128 Americans. -
Withdrawal from Gallipoli
The Allied campaign to land at Gallipoli and open a sea route to Russia fails with major casualties on both sides. The Allies decide to evacuate and abandon the campaign. -
The U.S. Warns Germany
President Woodrow Wilson of the United States warns Germany to halt its policies of unrestricted submarine warfare. -
Battle of Jutland
Starting 31 May, the Battle of Jutland is the only major battle of World War I fought at sea. There is no clear winner with heavy losses on both the German and British sides. -
Battle of the Somme
Beginning 1July, the Battle of the Somme is fought by British and French troops against the Germany army. The Allied aim is to break German lines into German-occupied France, but the battle results in approximately one million casualties and no breakthrough for the Allied troops. -
Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun, which began on 21 February, ends. The battle ends with an estimated one million casualties and no clear victor. -
The Zimmerman Telegram
German Foreign Secretary Zimmerman sends a telegram to Mexico urging Mexico to declare war on the United States. The telegram is intercepted and translated by the British. -
Submarine Warfare
Germany declares the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare. -
Russian Abdication
Czar Nicholas II of Russia abdicates the Russian throne. A provisional government is formed. -
U.S. Enters the War
President Woodrow Wilson asks the U.S. Congress to declare war, and Congress grants his request, declaring war on Imperial Germany.
