The world at the beginning of the 20th Century

  • Germany wins Franco- Prussian War and takes the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine From France

  • Germany. Austria-Hungary and Italy sign the Triple Alliance

  • The Second International, a congress of socialists meet in Paris

  • The Spanish-American War: the Phillipines, Guam and Puerto Rico are transferred to the United States of America

  • Boer settlers rebel against British rule in South Africa

  • The Boxer Rebellion against foreign influence takes place in China

  • President McKinley (USA) is assasinated by an anarchist

  • The British Dreadnought battleship is launched; naval race with Germany begins

  • The Triple Entente is created between Britain, France and Russia

  • A commision uncovers abuses and maltreatment of tribespeople in the Belgian Congo

  • Japan Annexes Korea

  • The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne is assasinated in Sarajevo

  • Austria bombards Belgrade with the opening shots of the First World War

  • All major European powers are at war