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Nationalism
As the peace between European nations began to destabilize, nationalists began to "place the interests of their own country above the interests of other countries" (Alpha History). US nationalism also intesified as Germany began to slowly agitate the United States with military action. Nationalism was a major factor that started WWI. -
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Imperialism
The world is in the hands of imperialistic empires - Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Russia, and the United States (Alpha History). Britain owned much of the globe, Spain owned South America, and the United States owned the Pacific and the Carribean. Africa, America, and the Pacific was dominated by these powers for at least three centuries. These empires were weakened by WWI, and eventually ended their imperialistic rule after WWII. -
Triple Alliance Forms
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy form the Triple Alliance (Britannica). This soon forces a Triple Entente to form at a later date, and is the main opponent to the allies during WW1. -
HMS Dreadnought Launches
The HMS Dreadnought launches, marking the beginning of militarism and a destructive arms race (BBC News). While there were deadly weapons being developed before her arrival, this was a triumph in the Royal Navy. -
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Militarism and the Arms Race
While tensions were already high between a unified German Empire, France, and Great Britain (British Library), the true arms race launched on Febuary 10th, 1906, when Britain finished the HMS Dreadnought. The first of it's kind, it's technological superiority completely revolutionized the "whole idea of warfare and sparked a dangerous arms race" (BBC News). U-boats, landships, machine guns, and other pieces of military technology would soon follow. -
Triple Entente Forms
After over a decade in development, the Triple Entente formed with a formal agreement between Britain and Russia (Britannica). This is the direct counterpart to the Triple Alliance, encompassing Britain, France, and Russia - the allies in WW1. The United States would soon join this alliance later in the war. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assassinated
A group of Serbian students assassinated the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo, Serbia (History of the Great War). This was the event that triggered a domino effect of countries going to war, one after the other. World War I is considered a direct consequence of Ferdinand's assassination. -
"Blank Check" Sent to Austria-Hungary
Germany sends a "blank check" to Austria-Hungary to assure Germany's support in Austria-Hungary going to war with Serbia (German History Documents and Images). This prompted Austria to carry out their war with Serbia, which provoked other nations such as France and Russia to intervene. Since Germany assured their support, Germany went to war with these nations as well. The United States would not become involved until three years later. -
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World War I
World War I, otherwise known as the Great War, spanned for four years. The main allies consisted of France, Russia, Britain, and the United States against Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottomans. While the war technically started in Serbia, the real conflict began in Belgium when German troops used the British ally to attack France. Great Britain entered the war on August 4th, 1914. The United States would enter the war on 1917. -
Lusitania Sinks
A German u-boat sinks the RMS Lusitania, killing 1,100 civilians - 120 of which were American (History.com). This swayed US public opinion against Germany, fueling the anger that would erupt on 1917, when the United States entered the war. -
Germany Resumes Unrestricted U-boat Warfare
On Febuary 1st, 1917, the German military resumed unrestricted use of u-boats, destroying all ships around British waters, including neutral ships (History.com). This exceedingly angered the United States, as Germany violated an agreement with the US and interfered with US affairs. This further prompted US entry into WWI in the future. -
Zimmermann Telegram revealed to the US
British intelligence reveals a decoded message sent from Germany to Mexico - the Zimmermann Telegram. According to the telegram, Germany offered Mexico US territory in exchange for Mexico allying with Germany (National Archives). This infuriated the United States to such a point where the US would enter the war two months later. The US was no longer isolated from European affairs, as Germany made an aggressive move against this far-away country, affecting US attitude in future wars. -
The United States enters World War I
On April 6th, 1917, Congress formally declared war on Germany and it's allies, marking a "major turning point in the war" (History.com). Before this day, the allies were running low on supplies and men as the battle turned into a stalemate. The introduction of the US army injected life into the allied war machine, breaking the stalemate and changing the course of history in favor of the allied powers. -
WWI Ends - Effects
The Great War had taken the lives of 10 to 13 million people (Silvapages). The economic situation in Europe was treacherous - the war led European countries to destroy each other, with huge property damage. Austria-Hungary shattered into four countries, while the Ottoman empire dissolved into Turkey. Citizens realized that the government could no longer protect them. -
Treaty of Versailles Signed
The Treaty of Versailles was solely for making sure Germany would never start another war again (History.com). It put harsh economic and military limitations on Germany, making the German people quite resentful of the Allied nations. The US stongly opposed the Treaty, with only one of their proposals included. After the treaty, life in Germany was financially depressing and politically turbulent. The Germans lost faith in their country. Meanwhile, a young man named Adolf Hitler grew resent. -
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Dawes Plan
Somewhere in August of 1924, the Dawes Plan was adopted to help solve the problem of German reparations. According to the Office of the Historian, annual reparation payments would be reduced, but increase as the German economy grew and stabilized. Foreign banks loaned Germany $200 million to help stabilize the German economy, while the United States would float this loan on the market. When the allies received payment, they would use them to pay off war debts to the US. -
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Young Plan
In conjunction with the Dawes Plan, the Young Plan would reduce the total payment amount put on Germany, and would also introduce another loan to the foreign market (Office of the Historian). Both plans began to stabilize and grow the German Weimar economy up until the Great Depression - since Germany relied on US loans to pay it's reparations, the Germany economy suddenly dropped. -
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The Great Depression
A huge crash in the stock market in October of 1929 wiped out billions of dollars from millions of Americans (History.com). Agricultural overproduction, overly uneven wealth distribution, debt build-up, and the amount of speculation gave way to a huge crash. In September of 1929, the stock market began to show signs of instability - uneven patterns of rising and falling. A month later, it suddenly fell into oblivion, taking along with it was the investments and savings of millions. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor of Germany
After taking advantage of Germany's desperation, Adolf Hitler is appointed chancellor (History.com). He begins to slowly build up Germany's strength, violating the Treaty of Versailles without provoking the other nations until the right moment. Hitler's rise to power marked the beginning of a new age for Germany - the Third Reich. -
World War II Begins
Despite every attempt to make sure it didn't happen, it did. Hitler crosses into Poland, beginning World War II. The United States would not enter the war until 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
