-
Creation of Dual Alliance
The Dual Alliance was created by Otto von Bismarck in 1879. Bismarck saw France as the greatest threat, and his first goal was to isolate them. "As long as it is without allies, France poses no danger to us." So, he formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary, and three years later Italy joined them, making the Triple Alliance. The Dual Alliance was just making them allies essentially. -
Creation of the Triple Alliance
Italy joined the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary, making it the Triple Alliance. Bismarck saw France as the biggest threat, so he formed the Dual Alliance to start, then 3 years later, Italy joined them. The Triple Alliance is basically what it sounds like, an alliance between three countries. -
Rise of Kaiser Wilhelm II and resignation of Bismarck, lapse of treaty with Russia
Kaiser Wilhelm ll forced Bismarck to resign and became the leader or Germany. Wilhelm didn't want to share his power with anyone, and flanuted just how mighty Germany had become. “I and the army were born for one another,” Wilhelm said, not long after taking power. In 1890, he let his nation's treaty lapse with Russia. In 1892 and 4, Bismarck's fear came true and Russia formed a defensive military alliance with France. -
Alliance of Russia and France
In 1890, Wilhelm let his treaty lapse with Russia, and they responded by forming a defensive military alliance with France in 1892 and 1894. -
Conflicts between Germany and France over Morocco
In 1905 and again in 1911, Germany and France nearly fought iver who would control Morocco, in Northern Africa. Most of Europe supported France, so Germany backed down. This event is so significant because it shows how imperialism, expanding an empire by taking over weaker countries, led to intense competition and conflict between European countries. Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. -
Creation of the Triple Entente
A shipbuilding program began by Wilhem, in efforts to make the German navy equal to that of the British fleet. Great Britain, alarmed, formed an entente (alliance) with France. Then, in 1907, Britain made another alliance with France and Russia. This alliance, The Triple Entente, didn't bind Britain to fight with France and Russia. However, it did basically ensure that Britain would not fight against them. There were two rivals in Europe in 1907, The Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. -
Austria annexing Bosnia and Herzegovina
Each group wanted to extend their boundaries, nationalism (devotion to your country) being a powerful force within countries. Austria took over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the two Balkan areas with large Slavic populations. Serbian leaders were outraged, and in the years to follw, tension rose. The Serbians always threatened to take Bosnia and Herzegovina from Austria, and in response, Austria vowed to "crush any Serbian effort to undermine its authority in the Balkans." -
Rise of militarism
Militarism is the policy of magnifying military power, and keeping an army prepared for war. When citizens had a large, strong, standing army, it made them feel patriotic. -
The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, were visting the capital of Bosnia, when they were shot at a point-blank range in an open car. A 19 year old Serbian and member of the Black Hand, by the name of Gavrilo Princip was the killer. The Black Hand was a society devoted to ridding Bosnia of Austrian rule. -
First Declaration of War
Austria decided to use the murder of Sophie and Ferdinand, and punish Serbia, because their assassin was a Serbian. On July 23rd, Austria demanded numerous things, and Serbia knew that refusing would lead to war against the more powerful Austria. Serbia agreed to most demands because of Austria's power, but offered to have several others settled by an interna- tional conference. Austria wasn't in the mood to negotiate and on July 28th they declared war on Serbia.
