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Treaty of London 1839
The earliest beginnings of the war to end all wars can be traced to the meeting between England, Russia, Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The significance of this document towards the war can be found in article 7 declaring Belgium's neutrality. Nearly seventy-five years later Germany would find itself directly disobeying the treaty when its military marched through Belgium with the Schlieffen Plan -
Treaty of London 1867
The neutrality of Luxembourg is added to the treaty which Germany would also pay ill respect to when in their plan to invade France. -
Formation of Triple Alliance
Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungry gathered in secrecy to form the triple alliance which provided that Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it were attacked by France without Italian provocation; Italy would assist Germany if Germany were attacked by France. In the event of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral. -
Formation of Triple Entente
The Triple Entente was an alliance formed between Russia, England, and France in order to increase homeland security. In contrast to the Triple Alliance, the terms of the Entente did not require each country to go to war on behalf of the others, but stated that they had a 'moral obligation' to support each other. -
Death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
What do you get when you combine an Archduke, a Serbian terrorist, and a sandwich? WW1!!!!! -
Germany Implements Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
With World War 1 well under way, Germany and Britain began a race between their respective navies. While Britain focused on building surface vessels Germanys approach was the opposite building mass quantities of (U-boats). Both countries had strong blockades respectively. Germany's plan to cut off Britain was their solution to the war. This prompted Unrestricted Submarine Warfare which stated Germany would sink any ships without warning that were on route to British ports. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
Americans finally receive their first bitter taste of World War 1 through the sinking of the British passenger liner the S.S. Lusitania where 124 American passengers perished off the coast of Britain. This initial outrage would soon be restrained but remain in the fresh memories of Americans as the war crept closer to their doors. -
Germany Agrees to the Sussex Pledge
In an attempt to keep the United States from entering the war on the side of Britain Germany signed the Sussex Pledge where Germany agrees to stop sinking American merchant ships. (temporarily) -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmermann Telegram was a note sent in 1917 from the German Foreign Minister Zimmermann to his ambassador in Mexico, containing details of a proposed alliance against America; it was intercepted by the British and published by US journalist, strengthening US public support for war against Germany as part of World War One.
