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The German Empire is complete
Bismarck's plan to unite all the smaller German states into one empire is complete. -
The Triple Alliance
Sometime In May 1882 the Triple Alliance is formed between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The alliance lasted until 1915 when Italy joined the war on the side of the triple entente. -
Tsar Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II is crowned emperor of Russia, even though he din't want to be. A friendship treaty with Germany is not renewed and things start to get rocky between the two countires. -
End of the Russo-Japanese war
The war between Russia and Japan ends, the Russians having suffered humiliating defeats, both on land and at sea, -
HMS Dreadnought
The first of a new kind of battleship is launched by the British, who had greatly expanded their navy in response to Germany doing so in the 1890's. The world had never seen a battleship like the Dreadnought before, and after it was made battleships similar were all called dreadnoughts. -
The Triple Entente
With the signing of the Anglo-Russian entente, the Triple Entente between Britain, France and Russia is formed to counter the threat of the Triple Alliance. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, who was part of The Black Hand, a terrorist cell from Serbia. Though there were many onther events leading up to World War 1. This assassination is said to be the moment when the war truely started. -
Austria-Hungry declares war
Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia in retaliation to the assassination. -
Russia declares war
Russia and Serbia are allies, so Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary because they have declared war on Serbia. -
Germany Delcares War
Germany has a treaty with Austria-Hungary, so she declares war on Russia. -
Germany Declares War...again
Germany delcares war again, this time on France. This was because France was in treaty with Russia, but it seems a bit redundant to me because France hadn't done anything. -
Germany Declares war round 3
Germany declares war on Belgium, who was neutral and not under any treaties with the big pwers. -
Britain enters the war
Britain enters the war (declares war on Germany) for 3 reasons- "moral obligation" to help France, a 75 year-old treaty with Belgium, and because she felt threatened by Germany. If Germany defeated France, she would control all of Europe. Britain wanted to keep some balance.
Because Britain entered the war most of her colonies such as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa offered military and financial support. -
Austria-Hungary delcares war
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia. This confuses me a bit because Russia had already declared war on Austria-Hungary, so I guess Austria-Hungary was a little slow on the uptake. -
First Canadian Contingent
The government figured out how many soldiers were in the first overseas canadian contingent and that there were enough to match what Britain asked for. Britain had asked for 25 000 troops, they got at least 35 000. -
Canada sets sail
The first group of Canadian troops sets sail for England. -
Battle of Second Ypres
Canada's first major battle. The Canadians were outnumbered, but despite losing a third of their force ( killed, wouned, or captured), they managed to keep the Germans from breaking through. -
America enters the war
Up until now America had been neutral, but when Germany's submarines started disrupting America's trading (mainly to Britain and France) and President Woodrow Wilson had no choice but to join the war. -
Battle of Vimy Ridge
Lasting from April 9-12, 1917, Canadians successfully attacked Vimy Ridge, a German Strong-hold.
The battle has since become a Canadian symbol of identity and independence. -
Batte of Passchendaele
A battle known for its terrible conditions and brutal fighting, where the Canadians (under a Canadian commander) achieved their goal but with heavy losses.
The battle lasted until November 10, 1917 -
Peace
At 11am an armistice is signed by the Germans and the Allies. -
Peace Treaty
The peace treaty is signed in Paris by German delegates and Allies. -
The League of Nations
The League of Nations, as first proposed by US president Woodrow Wilson is created in order to keep world peace and prevent wars. -
Period: to
Germany's Depression
There was a bit of a depression in all the countries after the war, but Germany had it especially bad, and it lasted pretty much unitl the beginning of the second world war. It was the depression that indirectly led to the rise of Hilter. -
Invasion of the Ruhr
Germany can't pay the League of Nations the amount they are supposed to each year, but France thinks that Germany just doesn't want to, so France and Belgium invade the Ruhr. -
Hitler becomes President
Hitler bcomes President of Germany. He probably wouldn't have been able to get the country so powerful if it werent for the hyper-inflation that occured due to the Treay of Versailles. -
Start of WW II
World War two starts.
