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Triple Alliance is formed between Germany, A-H, Italy
The Triple Alliance was formed to isololate France. Germany did not want to fight a two front war. This affected the outcome of the war because the alliance system caused a small war to become much larger because alliances stepped in and fought for their allies. -
Germany joins Russia in an alliance
Germany did not want to fight a two front war, they isolated France and attempted to maintain a good relationship with Russia to protect the Eastern front. Although the alliance did not last which was a part of the war because Germany had to eventually deal with a two front war. -
Kaiser Wilhelm II Allows Alliance with Russia to Expire
Germany's alliance with Russia was fragile to begin with. Allowing the alliance with Russia to expire angered the Russians and also put Germany in a bad position with both of their fronts being bordered by countries that didn't like them very much. -
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France and Russia form a Defensive Military Alliance
These two countries were closest to Germany. They were also in the most danger of being attacked. As one of the MAIN reasons for the war, was militarism, the military alliance affected the progression of the feeling of war. -
The Triple Entente is Formed
The formation of alliances known as the Triple Entente, or France, Britain and Russia was huge. It officially devided Europe and said loud and clear what side everyone was on. The alliances were a problem in the war because they caused a small war to become much larger -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assasinated
The Archduke of A-H was assasinated by a member of the nationalist group of Serbia. He and his wife both died. The A-H were very angry that the heir to their throne had been killed, they made a list of ridiculous demands on Serbia, whe Serbia did not comply they went to war. This event is know as the event that truly started WW1. -
Austria Presents Serbia with an Ultimatum
Following the assasination of the Archduke the Austrians make a list of demands that they want from the Serbians. The Serbians refuse to comply with all of them and A-H decides to go to war on them, this event is marked as the true start of the war. -
Russia Orders Mobilization Towards Austrian Border
The Russians as a part of the Triple Entente did not like the Austrians. They sent their troops to the Austrian border which sparked a militaristic feel furthering the pressure on what was a ticking time bomb for the true start of the War. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
Germany declaring war on Russia was a strategic move on the Germans part in an attempt to keep from fighting a two front war and because the Russians were attacking their Allies, the A-H. This is why the war exploded becasue allies came in and would fight for one another w/o having any reason too. -
Germany Declares War on France
Germany declaring war of France further expanded a war that was already much to large for the small argument that truly started it. Also now that Germany was fighting a two front waar with France and Russia it will need help from its allies causing th war to expand even more. -
Britain Declares War on Germany
Now the war is in full swing Britain declaring war on Germany causes the war to get larger. They are declaring because Germany declared and is fighting against one two of their allies, France and Russia. The alliance system just causes the wars to get larger and larger. -
Germany Counter-Attacks Russia at Tannenburg
Germany counter attacking Russia caused there to be more fighting in the war. The attack on the Russians also affected the war because it forced Germany to fight multiple wars on multiple fronts. -
Allies Attack Germany of First Battle of the Marne
The Allies attacking Germany on the Marne showed Germany and everyone involved that this would not be a short war. -
Ottoman Empire Formally Joins Central Powers
The Ottoman Empire joining the Central powers further divided Europe. Having the Ottoman Empire as part of the Central Powers made it more difficult for the Allies to reach countries like Russia to support them. -
Austrians, with German assistance counter the Russians at the Battle of Limanowa
The Central Powers work together to fight Russia. An attack on Russia means an attack on the Allies making the war even larger.The Austrians defeated Russia pushing them out of A-H. -
Allies Launch the Galipoli Campaign
The Allies believed that if they could get control of the Galipoli straight that they would be able to enter the capitol of Turkey or Istanbul. They also believed it would help them access Russia and provide help to them. -
Italy Joins the Entente
Italy joining the Entente is a further seperation of Europe. Them joining keeps Germany having a third front to fight on. -
Germany sinks the U.S.S. Lusitania
Germany began the system of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, They attacked the Luistania which contained US citezens. Many US citzens died and US was very angry. -
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Germans attack the Allies at Verdun in the Battle of the Somme
Neither side advanced much in this battle that took 8 months. Both sides lost about half a million people. Both sides were just fighting a losing war with unnecescary bloodshed which is a theme of WWI -
Germany Announces Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The Germans began a system of Unrestricted Submaring Warfare which meant that they could sink any ship that they believed was a danger in the waters around Britain. This was an insult to Britain and also caused a lot of loss of life. -
Britain Intercepts the Zimmerman Note
The Zimmerman note was from the Germans to Mexico saying that if Mexico allied with them they would help them reconquer the lands they lost to the United States. This was the final straw for the US who decided to go to war. -
Wilson Asks Congress to Declare War
The Zimmerman telegraph caused the US to feel it was time to enter into the WWI. Wilson asking Congress to declare was changed the air of the war because the Allies now had a fresh country and ally to fight for them and support them. -
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin ended Russia’s involvement in WWI
Russia leaving the war allowed Germany to send all of its troops to the Western Front in a final push. -
Germany and Russia sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
A peace treaty between Russia and Germany that was very harsh on Russia, Russia had to give up a lot but they made peace with Germany. -
Germans Sign Armistice
This marked the end of the war. Germany signing the Armistice ended the war.
