World at the Beginning of the 20th Century By 8R3ND0N Aug 15, 1871 Germany wins Franco-Prussian war and takes the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from France Aug 15, 1882 Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy sign the Triple Alliance Aug 15, 1889 The Second International, a congress of socialists meets in Paris Aug 15, 1898 The Spanish-American war: the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico are transferred to the United States of America Aug 15, 1899 Boer settlers rebel against British rule in South Africa Aug 15, 1900 The Boxer Rebellion against foreign influence takes place in China Aug 15, 1901 President McKinley (USA) is assassinated by an anarchist Aug 15, 1906 The British Dreadnought battleship is launched; naval race with Germany begins Aug 15, 1907 Triple Entente is created between Britain, France and Russia Aug 15, 1908 A commission uncovers abuses and maltreatment of tribespeople in the Belgian Congo Aug 15, 1910 Japan annexes Korea Jun 28, 1914 The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne is assassinated in Sarajevo Jul 28, 1914 Austria bombards Belgrade with the opening shots of the First World War Aug 4, 1914 All major European powers are at war