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Triple Alliance is formed between Germany, Austria Hungary and Italy
The Triple Alliance was formed between Germany, Austria Hungary and Italy. In doing this, it took away possible allies for France. With the alliance system, countries agreed they would have eachother's backs and in time of need during war, they would help one another. -
Germany joins Russia in an alliance
In 1887, Germany led by Bismarck joined Russia in an alliance. This action was taking another option for an ally for France, which then made Germany more powerful with Russia on their side. -
Wilhelm II allows alliance with Russia to expire
The power-hungry Wilhem dropped Germany's alliance with Russia. This was a dangerous movie because Russia then made an alliance with France which threatened Germany. France and Russia together would be very powerful. -
3. 1890 Kaiser Wilhelm II changes foreign policy, forced Bismarck to resign
Wilhem II was a very proud, power-hungry man. He forced Bismark to resign because he didn't want to share any of his power and he also wanted to show the world how powerful and strong Germany had become. What he was most proud of was his army. He then let Germany's treaty with Russia slip, thus making Germany form an alliance with France. This was a risky move that Bismark was scared of because Russia or France would make Germany the enemy of both powerful countries. -
Russia formed defensive military alliance with France
Russia who once had a treaty with Germany, that was dropped by Wilhem II, formed a defensive military alliance with France. This was a smart move on behalf of Russia and France, but a dangerous move for Germany. This caused Germany to become the enemy of both of these powerful countries. Germany would then be forced to fight in a war on its eastern and western borders. -
Britain formed entente with France
Germany was trying very hard to make their navy as powerful as Britain's mighty fleet. On guard, Great Britain formed an entente with France. This would help make Great Britain alot stronger. -
Britain made another entente with France and Russia, forming the Triple Entente
After making an alliance with France, Great Britain made another entente with both France and Russia, called the Triple Entente. The Triple Entente stated that Britain was not compelled to fighting with France and Russia, but guaranteed that Britain would not fight against them. This made the Triple Entente very powerful. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and wife Sophie visit Sarajevo and are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip.
The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his pregnant wife Sophie set out to visit Sarajevo, Bosnia. The couple were unexpectedly shot and killed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian member of the Black Hand, which was a society who wanted to keep Austrian rule out of Bosnia. This event caused the powerful Austrians to become angry with Serbia and declare war on them. This event started World War 1. -
Austria presented Serbia with the ultimatum
On July 23, Austria presneted Serbia with the ultimatum. The ultimatum included a multitude of demands. Serbia knew that if they refused the ultimatum, it would lead to a war against Austria, who was more powerful than Serbia. Knowing this, Serbian leaders agreed to most of Austria's demands. However, powerful Austria was already settled on war. They rejected Serbia's offer of settling other problems and declared war. This led to a huge, destructive war. -
Austria declared war on Bosnia. Russia also ordered mobilization toward the Austrian border
Austria then declared war on Bosnia. The Russian leaders demanded the mobilization of troops toward the Austrian border. This caused leaders all over Europe to be on alert. Conflicts erupted all over Europe and resulted in a massive world war. -
Germany declared war on Russia
When hearing about the declaration of war, Russia, Serbia's ally started moving toward the Russian- Austrian border and also moved along the German border. This mobilization was a declaration of war. Germany declared war on Russia. Germany also declared war on Russia's ally, France. -
Germany declared war on France
After Germany declared war on Russia, Germany then declared war on Russia's ally France. -
Britain declared war on Germany
After Germany declared war on Russia and France. Great Britain then declared war on Germany. Europe was locked in battle. -
Germany counterattacked the Russians at Tannenberg. Four day battle
In late August, Germany counterattacked the Russians at Tannenberg. The result of this four-day battle was that the Germans defeated the Russians and drove it into retreat. This battle resulted in a great number of casualties. -
The First Battle of the Marne
The First Battle of the Marne was the first major clash on the Western front and was one of the most important events of WW1. At the Battle of the Marne, the Allies attacked the Germans near Paris. This defeated the Germans Schliefflen plan which included attacking and defeating France and then going to fight Russia. The Russians had already invaded Germany and Germany was calling on France to aid them. If the Germans had won and captured Paris the war would be over. -
Ottoman Empire formally joins Central Powers
The Central powers, located at the heart of Europe, included Germany, and Austria-Hungary. On October 28, 1914, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire joined the Central powers. They joined because they were hopeful of gaining back territories previously lost. -
Italy joins Entente
In April 1915, Italy left the Triple Alliance and joined the Triple Entente because they had accused their former partners of startign the war unjustly. -
Germany sinks the U.S.S. Lusitania
In 1915, Germany established a naval blockade all around Britain. They sunk the British ship, the Lusitania, killing 1,198 people including 128 U.S. citizens. The Germans sunk a total of 3 American ships which made the Americans very angry. -
Germans attack the Allies at Verdun in the Battle of the Somme
In February of 1916, the Germans attacked the French at Verdun. Each side had over 300,000 casualties. In July, the British army tried to lighten the pressure on the French. British forces attacked the Germans in the valley of the Somme River. There were over 20,000 British casualties. Both sides lost many lives and only advanced a few miles. -
Germans announce their policy of unrestricted submarine warfare
In January 1917, Germany intensified their submarine warfare. They used a polocy of unrestricted submarine warfare which meant that submarines sunk ships without warning.This ferocious tactic left a major impact on the war and was one of the major reasons that the U.S. joined the war. -
U.S. intercepts the Zimmermann Note
The British intercepted a telegram coming from Zimmerman from Germany to Mexico. The telegram stated that Germany would help Mexico reconquer the land they lost to the U.S. is Mexico would ally with Germany. This angered Americans and as a result of their anger they called for war. -
Woodrow Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany
On April 2nd, 1917, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany and side with the Allies. The U.S. declared war because of the Germans unrestricted submarine warfare, Germans sunk the Lusitania, the Germans agreed to stop attacking and didn't and because of the Zimmerman telegram. -
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin ended Russia’s involvement in WWI
In November 1917, Communist leader Vladmir Ilyrich Lenin took control and decided to end his country's involvement in the war. He wanted to offer Germany a truce and in March 1918 he did just that. Germany and Russia signed the treaty of Brest-Litovsk which ended the war between them. -
Germany and Russia sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
When Russia decided to withdraw from the war, Lenin wanted to form a truce with Germany. So in March 1918, Germany and Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ended the war between them. This was hard on Russia because they had to give up their lands to Germany. -
Second Battle of the Marne
In July 1918, the Allies and Germans met again at the Second Battle of the Marne. The allies led the attack and smashed through German lines. The Central Powers were falling apart and the Bulgarians/Ottoman Turks surrendered. It was the last German conflict and resulted in an Allied victory. -
Kaiser Wilhelm II stepped down from power, Germany declared itself a republic
On November 9, 1918, Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to step down and Germany declared itself a republic. A representative from the new German republic met with Marshal Foch where an armistice was signed. They agreed to stop fighting. -
A German representative and French Commander Marshal Foch signed an armistice.
On November 11th, 1918, after Germany declared itself a republic, a representative from Germany's new government met with French Commander Marshal Foch. The two men signed an armistice and agreed to stop fighting. So on November 11th, World War I was officially over. Today on November 11th we celebrate Veterans Day to honor our Veterans. It is also known as Armistice Day.
