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Triple Alliance is formed between Germany, Austria-Hungry and Italy
Bismarck wanted to isolate France, for he thought they wanted revenge. He tought that if France did not have allies then it was not harm to Germany. Therefore, Bismarck formed an allience with Germeny, Austria-Hungry and Italy. -
Germany joins Russia in the alliance
This alliance was establish so Germany could protect its eastern borders but, when Wilhelm II got rid of Otto von Bismark he let the alliance lapse. Russia was upset so they broke away from Germany and joined an alliance with France. -
Kaiser Wihelm II changes forgein policy, forced Bismarck to resign
Kaiser Wihelm II became ruler of Germeny. He wanted to keep this power to himself. He was ready to show what Germeny had become. -
Russia formed defensive military alliance with France
Due to the fact that Germeny let the treaty with Russia lapse, Russia formed a defensive military alliance with France. Germeny feared France and Russia for it was the enemy of both countries. This military alliance forced Germany to fight on both the eastern and western boarders. -
Britain formed entente (alliance) with France
Germany started a shipbuilding program. They wanted to equal to the British fleet. British did not want this for Germany was becoming powerful so Britain formed an alliance with France. Britain made an alliance with France for they both had a common culture. -
Britain made another entente with France and Russia, forming the Triple Entente
This alliance made it clear that Britain would not be forced to fight with France and Russia but Britian would not fight against them. -
Ferdinand and Sophie visit Sarajevo and are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip
Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, made a visit to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Member of the Black Hand, Gavrilo Princip, shot and killed both Ferdinand and Sophie. -
Austria presented Serbia with the ultimatum
Austria wanted to punish Serbia after the assassination with ultimatums. Serbia knew that they could not refuse these request for it would lead to war against Austria, one of the most powerful military powers. -
Austria declared war on Bosina. Russia also ordered mobilization towards the Austrian border
While Serbia was ready to negotiate Austria was not. Austria declared war on Serbia resulting in Russia, alliance with Serbia, to get involve. Russia called for mobilization on Austrian borders. -
Germany declared war on Russia
Russia began to mobilize along the German borders. This action was seen as a declaration of war according to Germany. -
Germany counterattacked the Russians at Tannenberg. Four day battle
During, this four day battle the Germans forced the Russians into full retreat. The battle resulted in more then 300,000 Russian soldiers killed. -
Germany declared war on France
Russia looked to its ally France for help and support. Germany did not hesitate for France's reaction. Germany went right ahead and declared war on France. -
Britain declared war on Germany
Britians allies needed help. Britain did not wait for Germany to declare war on them so Britain declared war on Germany. -
Allies attack Germany at the 1st Battle of the Marne
This battle was the most important event in WWI. Germany thought of the plan called for attacking France in the west and rushing to the east to fight Russia, also known as the Schieffen Plan. Russia lacked in industrialization so they thought that if they won a quick battle against France and then go fight the Russians it could work. However, the Germans might have done well against the French but the Britian stopped the Germans from advancing. The allies regrouped and attacked the Germans. -
Ottoman Empire finally joins the Central Powers
The Ottoman Empire had many turks. The Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers beacuse they had great accomplishments during the war and Turkey had friction with the Triple Entente. -
The Allies launch the Gallipoli campaign
From February to December the Allies launched this campaign to put an end to the stalemate. Their strategy was to attack a region of the Ottoman Empire. The Allies wanted to take the region known as the Daranelles which is a water way leading to the capital Constantinople.Their goal was to conquer Constantinople, defeat the turks, and establish a supply line to Russia. -
Italy joins the Entente
Italy was a neutral power that eventually sided with the Allies. Having Italy join gave military leaders more war zone to try to succeed a victory. -
Germany sinks the U.S.S. Lusitania
The Germans made the submarine warfare more intense on the Alantic Ocean. The Germans sunk the Bristiah U-boat, U.S.S. Lusitania, leaving 1,198 people dead. This included 128 U.S. citizens. -
Germans attack the Allies at Verdun in the Battle of the Somme
In this battle the Germans attacked the Franch. To defend France the British attacked the Germans at the Somme River. During, this battle trench warfare was used. As a result of the battle there were over one million casualties and the Allies only gain 3miles of land. Lasting from February to November of 1916 it was known as the bloodest battle of WWI. -
German announce their policy of unrestricted submarine warfare
Germany wanted to set up its own naval blockade around Britain. " The Germans announced that their submarines would sink without warning any ship in the waters around Britain." -
U.S. intercepts the Zimmermann Note
Another one of Germans actions push the United States to get involved in the war. The Germans sent a telegram to Mexico saying they will help "reconquer'' the land Mexico had lost to the United States if they decide to side with them. The British decoded the message and presented it to the United States government. After, this event the American declared war on Germany. -
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin ended Russia's involvement in WWI
Russia's second revolution towards their government led to Vladimir Ilyich Lenin taking power. Lenin knew he had to end Russia's involvment in the war. The first action he made was to offer truce with Germany. This lead to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. -
Germany and Russia sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The Russian government had to surrender land to Germany that included Finland, Ukranie, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. This was the agreement was known as the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russia had withdrew from the war. -
Second Battle of the Marne
This was the final attack the Germans instigated on the Allies. In the beinning of the battle the Germans were unstoppable however, when they had reached the Marne River the troops were exhausted. Realizing the weakness of the troops the Allies made a counterattack. With no energy left the Central Powers began to crumble. -
World War I ends
After several years of battles and going back and forth between Central and Alliance Powers the war had finally come to an end. To make it official a German representative and French Comander Marshal Foch sign an armistice.
