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Triple Alliance is formed
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy allied together to form the Triple Alliance. If one of those countries were to declare war or be involved in a war, the other countries had to step in on their behalf and fight as well. Also, these countries allied together to stop Italy from taking Russia's side. The European nations thought the war would be short with minimal damage, but with the Alliance system in place, other countries were brought in against their will. Thus, World War I was being created. -
Germany and Russia create an alliance
Instated by Bismarck to protect Germany from a two-front attack from France and Russia. Germany agreed to help Russia in any efforts in order to maintain control of the Black Sea. This agreement lasted three years -
Kaiser Wilhelm II changes foreign policy, Bismarck forced to resign
Kaiser's tactics to expand and protect Germany were more intense and powerful that Bismarck's. In being older than Wilhelm, Bismarck did not respect his policies. Eventually, Wilhelm forced Bismarck to resign. -
Kaiser Wilhelm II allows alliance with Russia to end
After three years, Kaiser Wilhelm allowed Germany's alliance with Russia to expire. In response to Germany, Russia formed a defensive alliance with France. Because of this alliance, if Germany declared war on Russia it would have to fight a two front war. -
Russia formed defensive military alliance with France
As per Bismarck's fear, after Wilhelm II allowed Germany's alliance with Russia to expire, Russia formed an alliance with Russia in 1892 and 1894. This meant if Germany went to war with either of them, Germany would have to fight a two front war. -
Britain formed entente with France
Britain formed an alliance with France. -
Triple Entente formed
In 1907, Britain and France made another entente which also included Russia. This alliance was known was the Triple Entente. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and wife assassinated in Sarajevo
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were visitting Sarajevo to try to make a peace offering. Before he had the chance to make any type of proposition, 19 year old Gavrilo Princip (member of the Black Hand**) assassinated both Ferdinand and Sophie who was also pregnant. **The Black Hand was a secret group of Serbians whose main goal was to get rid of Austrian influence in Bosnia. -
Serbia given an ultimatum by Austria
In response to the assassination of the Austrian heir to the throne by a Serbian, Austria gave Serbia an ultimatum. Serbia agreed to all the terms except for allowing Austria to investigate the assassination inside the Serbian borders. -
Austria declared war on Bosnia, Russia mobilizes army towards Austria
After Serbia rejected Austria's offer, Austria proceeded to declare war. Russia, Serbia's ally, then ordered mobilization of its army towards the Austrian borders. -
Germany declared war on Russia
Russia assumed the Germans would side with Austrians so they moved troops towards Germany. Germany then declared war on Russia. -
Germany declared war on France
Russia began seeking support from france, so Germany declared war on France as well. -
Britain declared war on Germany
Britain declared war on Germany after Germany declared war on France. -
1st Battle of the Marne, Allies attack Germany
Germany attacked France and then Germany was attacked by the Allies in the valley of the Marne River. This battle lasted four days until the Germans surrendered. Also, it is considered the most important battle of World War I and was the first battle on the Western Front. -
Ottoman Empire joins Central Powers
To gain back lost territory, the Ottoman empire joined the Central powers. -
Allies launch the Gallipoli campaign
Launched by the Allies, the Gallipoli Campaign was an attempt to take control of the Dardanelles strait to get supplies to Russia. This plan resulted in failure and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers. -
Italy joins Entente
Italy fought with the Austrians until 1917 after being supported by the Allies and then joined the Allies and was promised Austrian land. Also, Italy chose to side with the Allies because they were stronger than the Central Powers. -
Germany sinks the U.S.S Lusitania
The Germans warned they would attack any ships in British waters with submarines. On May 7, 1915, the Germans sank the Bristish ship, U.S.S Lusitania. This attack killed 1,198 people; 198 of them were American citizens. -
Battle of the Somme
Britain and France teamed up and fought against Germany. This battle took place on the Western Front; over 680,000 people died. -
Germany announces their policy of unrestricted submarine warfare
Germany announced they would be using a policy known as "unrestricted submarine warfare." This policy meant the Germans would attack any ship in British waters to try to weaken Britain by disrupting trade. -
Zimmerman note intercepted
The U.S intercepted a telegraph from Germany to Mexico promising if Mexico allied with Germany, Germany would help Mexico regain territory lost to the Americans. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Under the terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the Russian government was required to surrender lands to Germany, including Finald, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. -
Woodrow Wilson asks congress to declare war on Germany
After the interception of the Zimmerman Note and Germany's announcement of their use of unrestricted submarine warfare, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. -
Vladmir Ilyich Lenin ended Russia's involvement in WWI
Lenin withdrew Russia from WWI because the majority of Russia's population was against it. Thousands of their citizens were being killed, they did not have enough supplies or food for both the soldiers and people at home, and there weren't enough factory workers. -
Second Battle of the Marne
Germany's last major attack and turning point at the Western Front. -
Germany declared itself a republic
Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to step down; Germany declared itself a Republic. -
Armistice signed between Germany and France
On November 11, 1918 at 11 AM, the Allies and Germany signed an armistice to end World War I in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest. Germany didn't surrender; signified the Allies had completely defeated Germany.
