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Formation of German Empire
Link!In 1871 the German Empire was formed out of 22 states and most of the formerly known Prussia. The Prussian King became the first emperor and the Empire began. Though he was not emperor Otto von Bismarck is directly responsible for the formation. His miltary success gave them a chance to form this large empire. -
The Franco-Russian Alliance
Link!During the late 19th century many countries sought an alliance with other countries to guarantee their own safety, preserve peace and sometimes to help their economic position. this is highlighted by alliances and treaties such as the "Dual Alliance" of 1879, the "Dreikaiserbund" of 1881 and the "Reinsurance Treaty" This was also the case for both France and Russia, with them agreeing the "Franco-Russian Military Convention" on August 18th 1892 and later agreeing the "Franco-Russian Alliance." -
The Triple Alliance
Link!The Triple Alliance was a military alliance (agreement to fight together) between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, that lasted from 1882 until the start of World War I in 1914. The three countries promised to help each other if another country attacked them. Some Italian people were not happy about the agreement because Austria-Hungary was an old enemy. In 1914, the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente (France, Russia and the United Kingdom) started World War I. -
Wilhelm II becomes Emperor of Germany
Link!Video Link! Wilhelm II or William II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. He was grandson of the British Queen Victoria His generals dictated policy during World War I with little regard for the civilian government. This gave Germany the Kaiser that would initiate their involvement. -
Imperialism
Video Link!Extra Information!Imperialism is when a country increases their power and wealth by bringing additional territories, which were oftentimes called colonies, under their control. When Germany and Italy saw that France and Britain had gathered a lot of territory in the areas of Africa and Asia, they too decided to go after these places for themselves. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War I. -
The Triple Entente
Link!With France and Russia having an agreement, England, who also feared the Germans and their rising of power, joined in on the treaty. This formed the Triple Entente. This alliance was to give the three counties protection that they needed to fend off Germantt. Though in the agreement it did not state that all of the counties must go to war if one was attacked. But, it did give the countries moral obligations to join the effort against the country that attacked. -
Nationalism
Click here for more info!One of the most important causes of World War 1 was due to the strong feelings of nationalism throughout the world in individual countries. They didn’t want any other nation to rule or take advantage of them. Political forces ignored the requests to form new states from small territories of nationalist groups, which provoked the miniature wars of the nineteenth century. In 1908, Austria-Hungary took over some Slavic territories in Bosnia- Herzegovina. -
Woodrow Wilson Elected President of the United State
Link!In 1913 Woodrow Wilson became the president of the United States. Wilson, a revolutionary president, said at the time of election that he did not want to be a part of Europe’s affairs. He did though the challenges like the Tampico Incident in which the Germans threatened from Germany. They did enter the war later but, it was way after his election. -
Franz Ferdinand Assassination
Link!Video Link!In 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand who was Prince of the Austrian-Hungarian empire was killed by a Serbian assailant. The assassination is consider the direct response of World War I with the Austrian-Hungarian empire declaring war on the Serbs. Each of the two allies would join in the War starting World War I as we know it. -
Mutual defense alliance: Russia and Serbia
Click for more info!Over time, countries in Europe made mutual defense alliances, which were connections between countries stating peace and the promise to defend one another. On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and Russia helped to defend Serbia due to their mutual defense agreement pact. Alliances slowly pulled countries one by one into battle (WWI) because if one country started to squabble with another, then they ended up arguing with more countries, and this pattern spread like wildfire. -
Militarism
Click here for more info!By 1914, Great Britain and Germany had begun an arms race by strengthening their navies and preparing their militaries for the coming of war. Militarism is the ability of a group of people to maintain a strong military force and to be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. As these nations built up their armies, they wanted to show off their power, which in return increased the loyalty of their people. Militarism pushed these countries to the start of WW1.
