-
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna leads the Mexican Independence fight
Santa Anna led the fight for Mexico's independence from Spain. This was significant because his military ability shined during battle and was one of the factors that impressed the people and gained him supporters. Due to this support, he was eventually elected president in 1833. -
Stephen Austin leads the Texas Revolt
Stephen Austin leads the Texas revolt. This was significant because this revolt eventually led to Texas becoming independent from Mexico. It was also a major contributor to Santa Anna's slow decline, as he was defeated and captured during the war, and when he returned to Mexico, he was ousted from presidency. -
The Treaty of Guadelope Hidalgo is Signed
The Treaty of Guadelope Hidalgo is signed by the US and Mexico after two years of war, and Santa Anna's defeat. This was important because it significantly increased US's territory, giving them the northern third of Mexico, including California and the Southwest. This fits in with their concept of Manifest Destiny. -
Benito Juarez Starts La Reforma
Benito Juarez starts a liberal reform movement known as La Reforma. It was significant because it dealt with land re-distribution, separating church and state and educating the poor and was a sincere movement to help the people of Mexico. When the reform was finally put into use ten years later, it helped bring about a time period of relative peace, progress and change. -
Benito Juarez Re-elected President
Benito Juarez was re-elected president. This was significant because he revitalized La Reforma and helped rebuild Mexico. His promotion of foreign trade, opening of new roads and railways, and implementation of the telegraph system brought Mexico back to life. He also separated the national education system from Church. During his time as president, he reconstructed Mexico and left a "legacy of relative peace, progress and reform." -
Porfirio Diaz Comes Into Power
Porfirio Diaz ousts the President, with the backing of the military. This was significant because it started the period known as the Diaz years, where elections became useless, and land, power and political favors were offered to his supporters. He tortured people that refused to stand by him, and held power till 1911. However, he still improved Mexico, by expanding railroads, building banks, stabilizing currency and improving foreign investment. Yet, the rich became richer , the poor poorer. -
The Triple Alliance is Created
The Triple Alliance was the alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy before World War I began, formed in 1882. It was significant because it’s breakdown contributed eventually to the start of World War I. It was formed to mainly counterbalance the immense force of Russia’s army of six million men. Because Austria-Hungary was assured of Germany’s backing, it declared war on Serbia and eventually this snowballed into World War I. -
Kaiser Wilhelm Allows Russian treaty to Lapse
a. Kaiser Wilhelm II becomes leader of Germany in 1888, and in 1890, he allows the peace treaty with Russia to lapse. He, along with this “lapse”, was significant because it forced Germany to be prepared for a two-front war, as Russia and France became allies. His rule eventually led to the the formation of the Triple Entente as well. Wilhelm’s eagerness to promulgate Germany as a leading power made him foolish, as he created a major shipbuilding program to rally the might British navy. This ala -
Francisco Pancho Villa Becomes Recognized
Francisco Pancho Villa becomes recognized around this time as a slick bandit. By stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, he becomes a popular Robin Hood-like figure. This is significant because he gains notoriety, and his skill at escaping capture reaches the men planning the revolution, and they recruited him. His major role in the revolt against Diaz lead to the president stepping down. -
Bolshevik Party is founded
The Bolsheviks were the radical Marxist political party that Vladimir Lenin founded in 1903. They were significant because they seized power later and were willing to sacrifice anything for change and gain allies, taking control of soviets like the Petrograd soviet. They overthrew the government, and eventually created the Brent-Litovsk treaty, which resulted in civil war. -
The Proletariat's Tensions rise--> Revolts, Rebellions
The proletariat was the working class in Russia and was significant because they started the revolution. Due to harsh working conditions, poor wages and child labor, they were tired of their pathetic lifestyles and started rebellions. -
Bloody Sunday
A crowd of dissatisfied workers signed a petition to reduce working hours, increase wages and improve working conditions, and organized a peaceful strike while moving towards the Winter Palace. However, this crowd was attacked by the police and the Cossacks at the palace, and over 100 were killed while 300 were injured. This was significant as it triggered the revolution of 1905. -
Militarism
Militarism, or the idea of glorifying the armed strength and war, was significant as it applied to the different countries such as the British Navy. This navy implemented the "two-power" rule, meaning their number of people was bigger than two of the greatest two combined, which in turn spurred the Russians to have a greater army of 6,000,000 people. The two-power rule was implemented in 1905. -
Nationalism in Serbia
a. Nationalism is the strong support of one’s own country and rights. It implies that your country is superior to others, and this was a key contributor to the start of World War I. For example, Serbia had a major Slav population and wanted to expand it’s territory and borders to include all the Slavs in the Balkan region. Austria-Hungary, however, opposed the idea of expansion and tensions between the two regions augmented. These nationalistic-based tensions would later lead to World War I. -
The Triple Entente is Formed in 1907
The Triple Entente was the alliance between Great Britain, France and Russia formed to ensure strength against the German navy and the Triple Alliance in 1907. This alliance was significant because they eventually transformed into the Allies, and defeated the Triple Alliance, aka the Central Powers. -
Francisco Madero Starts the Revolution
Franciso Madero starts the Revolution, by announcing his candidacy for president in 1910. Though arrested and exiled to US, he called for an armed revolution against Diaz. This was significant because this triggered the Revolution,even though it was slow at first. Leaders from different regions in Mexico supported this uprisal, and started revolting as well. Their strong want for reform along with their victories led Diaz to step down just a year later. -
Emiliano Zapata Capture Cuatla
Emiliano Zapata captures Cuatla and cuts off access to the capital Mexico City. This was significant because by closing off the road, Diaz couldn't assemble a proper defending army and was forced indirectly to step down as President. Zapata's powerful army and want for law reforms to protect the rights of the poor helped in his quest for victory. -
The Communist Party is Founded
a. The Communist party was founded in 1990 and was centered around the policty that all property would be held in common, and there would be no need for government other than the central government directing the important economic decisions. In this system, which was based on Karl Marx’s ideas, only one class would evolve. And it was significant because though it was a dictatorship, it was created to keep nationalism under control. -
Huerta Becomes President
Victoriano Huerto becomes president of Mexico. This is significant because he assassinates Madero, and becomes very unpopular. The people's hate for him transforms into revolution, as Pancho Villa, Zapata and Carranza become allies to over throw him. This allied army succeeds and Mexico is put in Carranza's more able hands. -
Total war implemented- Russia, Britain, etc
Total war meant that the countries involved in World War I had to devote all their resources to the war effort, meaning the entire government dedicated itself to winning the conflict.many facilities were made into factories while almost every able civilian was made to work. Many goods decreased and were in short supply, resulting in rationing. The governments also resorted to propaganda to entice more citizens into joining the army, even censoring news about the war. -
Rationing Is Implemented
Rationing was the limiting of amounts people could buy, especially on items needed particularly for the war. This was one of the government tactics during the total war, because many goods were in short supply. Along with this, the government used propaganda. -
Propaganda Starts
Propaganda was one sided ideas that provided info meant to persuade citizens to join, support or keep up the morale for the war. This was significant because it showed that the governments were willing to do anything to rope people into the war and win it. This was implemented along with rationing, as part of the total war policy. -
The name "Powder keg" was coined
The powder keg of Europe was significant as it was a metaphor for the instability in the Balkan region. The Balkan region itself was the powder keg, while nationalism was the powder and the land was the keg containing it. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the spark that blew up the keg. -
The Allies Formed
The Allies was the alliance of Great Britain, France, Russia and others that opposed the Central powers, during World War I. They were significant because they fought many wars valiantly, and was the opposition that eventually won the war. -
Trench warfare is implemented on the W. Front
Trench warfare was the method of war where soldiers fought each other from trenches, using mines and barbed wire. This tactic was applied on the Western Front, and resulted in huge life losses exchanged for “pitifully small land gains.” The conditions were terrible; completely unhygienic, swarming with rats and lack of fresh food. The Western front became a “terrain of death.” -
Franz Ferdinand Assassinated
The Archduke Franz Ferdinand was significant because he was assassinated while on a goodwill tour in Serbia, setting off the commencement of World War I. His assassination led to Austro-Hungaria infiltrating Serbia and later waging war on it in 1914. His death was the spark that blew up the “powder keg” of Europe. -
Deadlock on the Western Front
a. The Western Front was the line of trenches and fortifications in World War I that stretched from Switzerland to the North Sea. It was significant because it was here that the war became a long deadlock, in 1914. The Schlieffen Plan was executed here as well, and the method of trench warfare was introduced in this region as well. -
The Central Powers are Created
The Central Powers was the alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire that opposed the Allies. They joined forces in mid-August of 1914, and was significant because they were the side that lost the war. -
First Battle of the Marne- Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s plan to march through Belgium to conquer France, and it was named after its designer, General Alfred Graf von Schlieffen. It was significant because when the Germans clashed with the Allies in the valley of the Marne river, on September 5, 1914, it was the single most important event of the war. The Germans’ defeat left the Plan in ruins and the Germans received a reality check which sent them reeling. -
New Weapons of War used in the Battle of Somme
The new weapons of war were significant because they killed greater number of people more effectively, yet didn’t make the war any faster than expected. At the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the tank was introduced, and it was useful as it could cross many types of terrain. -
Russia Withdraws from the Eastern Front and the World War
The Eastern Front was the stretch of battle field along the German and Russian border. Russians and Serbs fought the Germans and Austro-Hungarians here. It was significant because the Russians lost every battle due to being unequipped and as the Czar ditched his duties to save the army, Lenin started the Russian revolution. Eventually, the defeats at the Eastern Front led to Russia withdrawing from the war in 1917. -
The Provisional Government is Established
The Provisional government was the temporary one established in March 1917 when Nicholas II was abdicated. This was significant because the people weren’t pleased with the government and it’s head Kerensky, as he prolonged Russia’s role in WWI. As tensions increased, soviets were created and Lenin and the Bolsheviks eventually overthrew the Provisional government in November. -
Carranza Revises And Adopts the Constitution
Venustiano Carranza revises the Mexican constitution and the government adopts the new version. This is significant because the revised version is still followed today, because it promotes education, land reforms and worker's rights. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
Nicholas II signs his abdication. This was significant because it led to the creation of the Provisional Government, which spurred further protests and Lenin's overthrowal of the government with the support of his party the Bolsheviks and their allies. -
US Joins WWI because of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
a. Unrestricted submarine warfare was the policy implemented by the Germans stating that they would sink any ship in the waters around Britain without warning. This was significant because after sinking three American ships despite Woodrow Wilson’s warnings, the Germans wrote a telegram to Mexico stating they would help the Mexicans regain land lost to the US if Mexico would become their ally. This was the last straw for the US, who entered the war, joined the Allies and declared war on Germany -
Lenin joins the Bolshevik Party
Lenin joins the Bolsheviks who led the Russian revolution and headed the USSR. His bold personality and ability to organize made him a force to be reckoned with, and it's this combination that made the Petrogad soviet their allies. However, the treaty he created of Brest-Litovsk started the Russian civil war. -
Stalin is Appointed in the Communist Party
Joseph Stalin was the leader who succeeded Lenin in heading the Communist Party. He created an autocratic state by quashing opposition, and was significant because his harsh personality made him wield absolute power as a dictator. -
Soviet System Established
The soviet was an elected workers’ council created by Russian leaders, and was significant because it was more influential than the provincial government. Different soviets were created when Nicholas abdicated and the people rejected the provisional government, deciding to take control themselves. -
The Fourteen Points is Created
The Fourteen Points was Wilson’s plan for world peace after World War I, including points such as self-determination, national borders on ethnic lines and the creation of a world peace-keeping organization, called the League of Nations. His points were significant because, though 93 % rejected, the League of Nations was kept and implemented. -
Killer Influenza Starts
It was the Spanish flu that began in 1918, and was important because it was more destructive than the war itself. It was another enemy. -
Germany signs the Armistice
a. The armistice was an agreement to a ceasefire signed by the Allies and Germany on November 11th, 1918. It was important because it ended all hostilities between the countries. In other words, it ended World War I. -
League of Nations created
The League of Nations was a world organization proposed by Woodrow Wilson as part of his 14 Points. It was significant because its intention was to promote unity to prevent the re-occurrence of another World War and involved powers such as France and Britain. Germany and Russia were excluded though. -
Woodrow Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference
a. Woodrow Wilson was the President of the US from 1913 to 1921 and the leading figure at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. He was significant because he created the Fourteen Points- a plan for avoiding another World War in the future. Though all the points in his plan failed, one prevailed; the League of Nations. -
Self Determination in the Fourteen Points
Self determination was basically the idea of democracy, where people could choose their own leaders. It was significant because it was one of the ideals stated in Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points at the Paris Peace Conference. -
The War Guilt clause was created
The War Guilt clause was created as an article of the Treaty of Versailles, basically blaming Germany as exclusively responsible for World War I, and not inviting them for the League of Nations. This was significant because Germany wasn’t completely at fault; their military was betrayed by a ruthless leader, and they already had their land taken away from them. The stock market crashed as a well, so Germany had multiple blows. -
Georges Clemenceau at the Paris Peace Conference
George Clemenceau was the French premier who represented the country at the Paris Peace Conference, and wanted to punish Germany severely for the effects of World War I. They proposed the “peace of vengeance”, and they were backed by Britain and Italy, who wanted more land. George’s persistence led to the creation of the Treaty of Versailles and the War Guilt Clause. -
Emiliano Zapata Dies
Emiliano Zapata is murdered by Carranza. This is significant because his death led to the decline of the Liberation Army of the South. And this consequently led to the end of the Mexican civil war, leaving more than a million Mexicans dead. -
Treaty of Versailles is Created
The Treaty of Versailles was created by the leaders of France, Britain and the US, and was signed by Germany. It was significant because it formally ended World War I. It also stripped Germany of it’s army, making it powerless as well as giving different German regions and colonies to France and Britain. The Germans had to pay 32 billion marks to the Allies for all the damage, as well as sign the War Guilt Clause.
