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Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy allied together to form the Triple Alliance. If one of those countries were to declare war or be involved in a war, the other countries had to step in on their behalf and fight as well. Also, these countries allied together to stop Italy from taking Russia's side. The European nations thought the war would be short with minimal damage, but with the Alliance system in place, other countries were brought in against their will. Thus, World War I was being created.
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Instated by Bismarck to protect Germany from a two-front attack from France and Russia. Germany agreed to help Russia in any efforts in order to maintain control of the Black Sea. This agreement lasted three years
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Kaiser's tactics to expand and protect Germany were more intense and powerful that Bismarck's. In being older than Wilhelm, Bismarck did not respect his policies. Eventually, Wilhelm forced Bismarck to resign.
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After three years, Kaiser Wilhelm allowed Germany's alliance with Russia to expire. In response to Germany, Russia formed a defensive alliance with France. Because of this alliance, if Germany declared war on Russia it would have to fight a two front war.
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As per Bismarck's fear, after Wilhelm II allowed Germany's alliance with Russia to expire, Russia formed an alliance with Russia in 1892 and 1894. This meant if Germany went to war with either of them, Germany would have to fight a two front war.
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Britain formed an alliance with France.
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In 1907, Britain and France made another entente which also included Russia. This alliance was known was the Triple Entente.
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Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were visitting Sarajevo to try to make a peace offering. Before he had the chance to make any type of proposition, 19 year old Gavrilo Princip (member of the Black Hand**) assassinated both Ferdinand and Sophie who was also pregnant. **The Black Hand was a secret group of Serbians whose main goal was to get rid of Austrian influence in Bosnia.
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In response to the assassination of the Austrian heir to the throne by a Serbian, Austria gave Serbia an ultimatum. Serbia agreed to all the terms except for allowing Austria to investigate the assassination inside the Serbian borders.
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After Serbia rejected Austria's offer, Austria proceeded to declare war. Russia, Serbia's ally, then ordered mobilization of its army towards the Austrian borders.
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Russia assumed the Germans would side with Austrians so they moved troops towards Germany. Germany then declared war on Russia.
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Russia began seeking support from france, so Germany declared war on France as well.
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Britain declared war on Germany after Germany declared war on France.
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Germany attacked France and then Germany was attacked by the Allies in the valley of the Marne River. This battle lasted four days until the Germans surrendered. Also, it is considered the most important battle of World War I and was the first battle on the Western Front.
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To gain back lost territory, the Ottoman empire joined the Central powers.
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Launched by the Allies, the Gallipoli Campaign was an attempt to take control of the Dardanelles strait to get supplies to Russia. This plan resulted in failure and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers.
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Italy fought with the Austrians until 1917 after being supported by the Allies and then joined the Allies and was promised Austrian land. Also, Italy chose to side with the Allies because they were stronger than the Central Powers.
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The Germans warned they would attack any ships in British waters with submarines. On May 7, 1915, the Germans sank the Bristish ship, U.S.S Lusitania. This attack killed 1,198 people; 198 of them were American citizens.
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Britain and France teamed up and fought against Germany. This battle took place on the Western Front; over 680,000 people died.
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Germany announced they would be using a policy known as "unrestricted submarine warfare." This policy meant the Germans would attack any ship in British waters to try to weaken Britain by disrupting trade.
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The U.S intercepted a telegraph from Germany to Mexico promising if Mexico allied with Germany, Germany would help Mexico regain territory lost to the Americans.
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Under the terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the Russian government was required to surrender lands to Germany, including Finald, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
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After the interception of the Zimmerman Note and Germany's announcement of their use of unrestricted submarine warfare, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany.
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Lenin withdrew Russia from WWI because the majority of Russia's population was against it. Thousands of their citizens were being killed, they did not have enough supplies or food for both the soldiers and people at home, and there weren't enough factory workers.
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Germany's last major attack and turning point at the Western Front.
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Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to step down; Germany declared itself a Republic.
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On November 11, 1918 at 11 AM, the Allies and Germany signed an armistice to end World War I in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest. Germany didn't surrender; signified the Allies had completely defeated Germany.
