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Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War ended in 1905 with a crushing defeat for Russia, marking the first time an Asian power defeated a European power in modern times. The war weakened the Russian Empire and set the stage for social and political unrest in Russia. -
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Russian Revolution
It was a wave of protests, strikes, and uprisings across the Russian Empire due to poor working conditions, the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, and Tsar Nicholas II's oppressive rule. Key events included Bloody Sunday, when unarmed protesters were shot by the Tsar’s troops, and the creation of the St. Petersburg Soviet, a workers' council. The unrest led to the October Manifesto, where Tsar Nicholas II promised reforms, including a constitution and the creation of the Duma. -
Formation of the Triple Entente
Alliance between France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, created in response to the growing threat of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy), marking the division into opposing power blocs that would lead to World War I. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
he heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne is assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a Serbian nationalist group. This event triggers a series of alliances and declarations of war, leading to the start of World War I. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
In response to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, prompting the intervention of other nations due to alliance treaties, thus beginning World War I. -
Germany declares war on France
Following Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia, Germany declares war on France, escalating the conflict and bringing World War I to a global scale. -
Gallipoli Campaign
The Allies launched the Gallipoli Campaign to open a new front in World War I, aiming to seize control of the Dardanelles and Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) from the Ottoman Empire. The campaign ended in failure for the Allies and resulted in heavy casualties. -
Battle of the Somme
One of the largest and bloodiest battles of World War I between Germany and Britain. It resulted in over a million casualties and was a symbol of the horrific trench warfare that defined much of the conflict. -
Russian February Revolution
Amidst the hardships of war, discontent with the Tsarist regime led to mass protests and strikes. Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne, ending over three centuries of Romanov rule and leading to the establishment of a provisional government.