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Following the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War.
Germany is unified as an Imperial federation of states, led by the King of Prussia (Kaiser Wilhelm I). This spurs a new era of population growth and rapid industrialization. The Germans also forcibly annex the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from France. -
Germany, Austria-Hungary (Hapsburg Empire) and Italy form the Triple Alliance.
Germany, Austria-Hungary (Hapsburg Empire) and Italy form the Triple Alliance. -
The Russian Empire and France form their own alliance in reaction to the Triple Alliance.
The Russian Empire and France form their own alliance in reaction to the Triple Alliance. -
Germany begins to build up its navy to challenge the British Navy's long-standing global supremacy.
Germany begins to build up its navy to challenge the British Navy's long-standing global supremacy. -
Britain and Japan form a naval alliance.
Britain and Japan form a naval alliance. -
The British reach a strategic agreement with France which includes mutual military support in the event of war.
The British reach a strategic agreement with France which includes mutual military support in the event of war. -
Troops of Russian Czar Nicholas II fire upon peaceful demonstrators in St. Petersburg killing hundreds in what comes to be known as Bloody Sunday.
Troops of Russian Czar Nicholas II fire upon peaceful demonstrators in St. Petersburg killing hundreds in what comes to be known as Bloody Sunday. -
Russia suffers a military defeat at sea by newly industrialized Japan, thwarting Russia's territorial ambitions toward Manchuria and Korea.
Russia suffers a military defeat at sea by newly industrialized Japan, thwarting Russia's territorial ambitions toward Manchuria and Korea. -
Continuing political unrest in Russia, including a general strike, results in the creation of a national legislative assembly (Duma) by the Czar.
Continuing political unrest in Russia, including a general strike, results in the creation of a national legislative assembly (Duma) by the Czar. -
H.M.S. Dreadnought is launched by Britain
marking the advent of a new class of big-gun battleships. The Germans follow suit and begin building similar battleships as an all-out arms race ensues between Germany and Britain. -
The British reach a strategic agreement with Russia.
The British reach a strategic agreement with Russia. -
Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, annexes Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Neighboring Serbia, with the backing of Russia, voices its objection in support of the Serbian minority living in Bosnia. -
Germany forces Russia to endorse the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary.
Germany forces Russia to endorse the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary. -
Germany surpasses Britain as the leading manufacturing nation in Europe. The United States remains the world leader, surpassing all of the European manufacturing nations combined.
Germany surpasses Britain as the leading manufacturing nation in Europe. The United States remains the world leader, surpassing all of the European manufacturing nations combined. -
till hoping to score a quick victory in the West, the Germans launch a major attack on Ypres in Belgium.
Despite heavy losses, British, French and Belgian troops fend off the attack and the Germans do not break through. During the battle, the Germans send waves of inexperienced 17 to 20-year-old volunteer soldiers, some fresh out of school. They advance shoulder-to-shoulder while singing patriotic songs only to be systematically gunned down in what the Germans themselves later call the "massacre of the innocents." By November, overall casualties will total 250,000 men.
