The War to Start all Wars

  • Creation of the Triple Alliance

    Creation of the Triple Alliance
    Germany, with a grudge against France, formed a dual alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879. 3 Years later, Italy also joined this alliance. The triple alliance described is very important, for it is one of the two major alliances that helped spark WWI.
  • The Rise of Kaiser Wilhelm II

    The Rise of Kaiser Wilhelm II
    This man forced Otto von Bismark to resign and took his place as ruler. He held power close to him and made his army extremely powerful. He then led a huge ship building movement to further strengthen his army.
  • Russia forms Defensive Alliance with France

    Russia forms Defensive Alliance with France
    Due to Kaiser's movements to create the perfect army, Russia gets defensive and forms a military alliance with France.
  • Period: to

    European Arms Race

    Unfortunately, as society progressed, nations came to believe that to have power you need an incredible military. So in this time, European countries began amping up their armies to be ready for the war, trying to intimidate other rival countries.
  • The Triple Entente

    The Triple Entente
    After the Germans began their huge ship building movement, the british were surprised and formed a quick alliance with france. Later at this date, they formed a complete alliance with France and Russia creating the Triple Entente
  • The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

    The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
    Franz Ferdinand and his wife were on a car ride around town, and unfortunately it would be their last. Ferdinand was shot along with his wife. The killer was from a group called The Black Hand.
  • The First Declaration of War

    The First Declaration of War
    To Serbia's demise, their negotiating skills were too rusty for the Austrians. Austria declared war on Serbia sparking The first World War.
  • Great Britain Declares War on Germany

    Great Britain Declares War on Germany
    After Germany declared war on Russia, Britains alliance with Russia came to their aid by declaring war on Germany. With this, Germany now has a 2 front battle on their hands, which is not exactly the most strategic thing to do.
  • The Battle Lines Are Drawn

    The Battle Lines Are Drawn
    On one side was the Central Powers which include Germany and Austria-Hungary. On the other side was the Allied Powers of the Allies, which has France, Great Britain, and Russia in it. With the battle lines drawn, these 5 starting countries were about to change the history of the entire world.