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Bachmann’s beginning
Joined the navy in 1877. Bachmann then served as Chief of Staff from 1901-1903 for the East Asian Cruiser Squadron. From 1907-1910, he was placed in command of the Central Division of the Navy Office. -
Assassination
Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. A Serbian nationalist secret society called the Black Hand was the culprit of the assassination. -
War declared
Austria-Hungary did not accept Serbia’s response toward the assassinations. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia, bound by a treaty to Serbia announced mobilization of their army for defense. -
Germany enters
Germany is bound by a treaty to Austria-Hungary. They saw the mobilization of Russian troops as an attack against Austria-Hungary. They soon followed to declare war on Russia. -
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Remaining purpose in the war
Gustav Bachmann continued the rest of his time as a commander. He started to give advice against fleet mutinees.He was re-chief of the naval station of the Baltic Sea and governor of the kingdom naval port of Kiel -
Recognizing unrestricted submarine warfare
Gustav Bachmann becomes Chief of Admiralty Staff. He pushes the idea of unrestricted submarine warfare. Worked with Alfred von Tirpitz to achieve adoption for this idea. -
Chemical warfare
The Germans fired shells filled with chlorine gas at the Allied lines. This is the result of the near-collapse of French lines. However, the Germans are unable to take advantage of the breach. -
Resignation
Kaiser Wilhelm II abandoned unrestricted submarine warfare. Gustav Bachmann, along with Tirpitz resigned June of 1915. He was allowed by the Kaiser to return to a post in Kiel. -
Tanks are introduced
The British employ the first tanks ever used in battle, at Delville Wood. They are useful at breaking through barbed wire and clearing a path for the infantry. Although these tanks are still primitive and fail to be the decisive weapon. -
Germany rationalizes
In a reaction to international outrage at the sinking of Lusitania and other neutral passenger lines, Kaiser Wilhelm II suspends unrestricted submarine warfare. This is an attempt to keep the United States out of the war. But it only severely hurts German efforts to prevent American supplies from reaching France and Britain. -
Zimmerman telegram
British intelligence gives Wilson the Zimmermann Telegram, a message from German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann proposing that Mexico side with Germany in case of war between Germany and the United States. In return, Germany promises to return to Mexico the "lost provinces" of Texas and much of the American Southwest. Mexico declines the offer and the outrage at this interference in pushes American public opinion to support entering the war -
Stasis and a change of heart
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president decided to keep the United States of America in state of neutrality. This would be in place until 1917, where Germany’s unrestricted marine warfare would harm the U.S’ commercial shipping. Their attacks forced the U.S to enter the war on April 6, 1917. -
The U.S enters the war
President Woodrow Wilson, after a stagnant opposition to the war, finally enters the war on the side of Britain and France. On April 2, Woodrow Wilson presents his plan of entering the war. The congress approves the declaration of war on Germany. -
Selective service act
Congress passed the Selective Service Act authorizing the draft. This was criticized for destroying democracy at home while fighting for it abroad. President Wilson claims he sees no other option and signs the bill into law. -
Retirement
Gustav Bachmann is in Kiel. He retired after Reinhart Scheer’s appointment of head of naval supreme command. Gustav later died in 1943.
