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January 18, 1871
Bismarck completes efforts to unify Prussia and the German kingdoms into a single nation and has King Wilhelm I proclaimed Kaiser. -
May 10
France forced to sign humiliating treaty with Germany that ends the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War. -
1888
After his father's untimely death, 29 year-old Wilhelm II becomes ruler, Kaiser Wilhelm II, of Germany. -
1894
Nicolas is crowned Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, a position he did not want. Germany and Russia do not renew a friendship treaty and begin their adversary relationship. -
1901
Great Britain's Queen Victoria, whose bloodline runs through most of the ruling houses of Europe, dies. -
Period: to
1904-1905
Russo-Japanese War results in disastrous defeat for Russia and major civil unrest at home -
January 22
"Bloody Sunday Massacre" by Tsarist troops in St. Petersburg left Russian workers dead and cost Nicholas support among the workers and farmers. -
1906
British launch first "dreadnought" class battleship.