The World Before the Great War

By thoneycutt

  • Austro-Hungarian Empire created

    Austria-Hungary was a dual monarchy. Austria and Hungary shared political links such as foreign policy and armed forces.

  • Industrial Revolution finished its spread across Europe

    Industrialization was present in Europea and across the Atlantic
  • Period: to

    Austria-Hungary is very pro-Germany

    Germans were a source of safety for the Austro-Hungarians from the Russians.
  • Period: to

    Struggle for Alsace-Lorraine

    Struggle between France and Germany for the posession of Alsace-Lorraine in the 1870s/
  • Period: to

    Scramble for Africa

    Tensions were high in Europe because of the competition between the countries for Africa

  • "A giant in the midst of Europe"

    Refers to the unification of Germany
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    Bismarck's reign as Chancellor

    Bismarck was Chancellor of his unified Germany until he was dismissed from office in 1890 by Wilhelm II

  • Dual Alliance

    Who: Germany and Austria-Hungary
    What: Each would aid the other particularly if they were attacked by Russia, or if Russia helps someone else to attack them

  • Triple Alliance

    Who: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
    What: One purpose was to keep Italy and Austria-Hungary from fighting. Both had land in northern Italy they were interested in. Austria-Hungary will help Italy if they were attacked by France. Italy would help Germany or Austria-Hungary if they were attacked by Franceif any of these three nations go to war with two other countries, they will help.
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    Reinsurance Treaty

    Who: Germany, Russia
    What: If Germany fights against France, Russia will stay out of it. Germany's prime reason for signing this was to avoid a two-front war.

  • Bismarck falls from office

    Wilhelm II dimisses Bismarck from his position of Chancellor
  • Period: to

    Strong relationship between France and Russia

    This friendship culminated in the Franco-Russian Alliance.

  • Franco-Russian Alliance

    Who: France, Russia
    What: Russia says that they will fight if Germany attacks France. France says that if Germany attacks Russia, they will fight

  • Entente Cordiale

    Who: Britain, France
    What: Settled colonial differences in North Africa between the British and the French. Less formal agreement. Britich usually do not enter into binding military agreements.

  • Wihelm II pushes France in the Balkans

    Wihelm II questions France about the legitamacy of its "ownership" of Morroco.

  • Weltpolitik

    The foreign policy adopted by Germany at the end of the 19th century by which she sought to assert her influence around the globe.

  • HMS Dreadnought unveiled

    British battle ship. Revolutionary because of its speed and the materials used to create it.

  • Triple Entente

    Who: France, Britain, Russia
    What: Response to the Triple Alliance. Settling colonial differences in Persia, Tibet, and Afghanistan. British still refused to agree to binding military agreements.

  • Wilhelm II questions France's legitmacy in owning Morroco

    Wihelm II questions France about the legitamacy of its "ownership" of Morroco again. Sent the gunboat Panther to the Morrocan port of Agadir

  • Italy trys to wrest Tripoli from the Ottomans

    Trys to get control of Tripoli by force. This gave Serbia an opportunity to profit from the sultan's divided attention and resources.
  • Period: to

    Balkan Crisis

    Turkish control of Balkans is slipping. Balkan nations see this as an opportunity to break free and create their own independent nations.

  • Balkan League created

    Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, and Montenegro came together to create the Balkan League to stand a better chance at resisting Turkey

  • Assassination of Archdule Franz Ferdinand

    Heir to the Hapsburg throne of Austria-Hungary. Killed by a Serbian nationalist.

  • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

    Austria-Hungary gives Serbia and ultimatum that it obviously could not meet.