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Germany wins Franco-Prussian war and takes the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from France
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Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy sign the Triple Alliance
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The Second International, a congress of socialists meets in Paris
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The Spanish-American war: the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico are transferred to the United States of America
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Boer settlers rebel against British rule in South Africa
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The Boxer Rebellion against foreign influence takes place in China
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President McKinley (USA) is assassinated by an anarchist
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The British Dreadnought battleship is launched; naval race with Germany begins
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Triple Entente is created between Britain, France and Russia
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A commission uncovers abuses and maltreatment of tribespeople in the Belgian Congo
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Japan annexes Korea
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The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne is assassinated in Sarajevo
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Austria bombards Belgrade with the opening shots of the First World War
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All major European powers are at war