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France loses Alsace and Loraine to Germany
France had lost Alsace and Loraine in the Franco-Prussian War. This territory was made up of French speaking people, making it pointless for Germany to take over it. The French went several years trying to get it back from the Germans. -
Russo-Japanese War
Fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan due to imperial dominance in Korea and Manchuria. The Japanese attacked and sieged a Russian naval squadron in Port Arthur, leading to many advantages to the Japanese; control over Korea and Manchuria. This making Japan the first Asian power in modern times to defeat a European power. -
Bloody Sunday
Group of workers, led by priest Georgy Apollonovich Gapon, marched to the Czar's winter palace in St. Petersburg to make their demands; causing imperial forces to open fire. This killed and wounded hundreds; which led to strikes and riots throughout the country due to the massacre that had just occurred. -
Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia
Russia and Austria Hungary were allies againts the Turks; which led to their victory in a war. This led to Austria Hungary having special rights in the Ottoman Empire pronvince of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Sanjak of Novi Pazar. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. He and his wife were assasinated by a Bosnian Serb, a member of the Black Hand. He did this because the Serbs no longer wanted to be under Austria-Hungary's control. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
News that their only heir was just assassinated by a local Serb; Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia. This led to the first world war; involving many other European countries as well. -
Russia mobilizes army
Russia and Serbia were allies; meaning they would defend eachother in any conflict. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia gathered their troops and went to war as well. -
Schlieffen Plan put into action
Schlieffen's Plan involved using 90% of Germany's armed forces to attack France; they would go through Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg first.This plan was put into action when the Germans invaded Luxembourg and Belgium. Although they had some difficulties with the Belgium army and the Russian's advancement into East Prussia. -
Germany invades Belgium
The German government demanded passage through the country of Belgium. Belgian government refused their demands; Germany declared war and sent their troops to cross the border which led to the attack of the Belgian city of Liege. -
Start of the Battle of Marne
This was the first use of radio intercepts and automotive transports of troops. It was fought to the north and east of Paris; opening for Anglo-French forces to reverse the German victory through Belgium and France. The Germans embarked on a retreat to the north of the Aisne River, beginning a trench warfare, -
Sinking of Lusitania
German U-boats torpedoed and sank the RMS Lusitania that was traveling to Liverpool, England. More than 1,900 passengers and crewmembers were aboard; 1,100 died including 120 Americans. This event played a tremendous role in the public opinion against Germany. -
Start of the Battle of Verdun
One of the largest battles in the first world war on the Western Front; it was between the French and German armies. It lasted for 303 days, making it the longest and one of the most costly battles in human history. -
Start of the Battle of Somme
Known as the "Somme Offensive". Battle fought by the armies of the French and British against the Germans. It was where more than 1,000,000 men were wounded or killed; making it the bloodiest battles. -
Zimmerman Telegraph found
This telegram was an international diplomatic communication used between German Foreign officers that proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico; if the U.S. entered WWI against Germany. The telegram was intercepted and translated by the British; this led to an outrage of the Americans opinions on Germany -
Russian Czar Nicholas II abdicates
Forced to abdicate; his reign of Russia went from one of the greatest powers of the world to an economic and military fall. Also, under his rule; Russia was defeated in the Russo-Japanese War, Bloody Sunday occurred, and Russia was involved in the first world war where 3.3 million Russians were killed. -
U.S. enters World War I
Our president at the time, Woodrow Wilson, tried everything to keep the United States neutral during WWI. After the sinking of the Lusitania, the American opinion grew very harsh. Later on, the publication of the Zimmerman telegram outraged many Americans; which led the U.S. to declare war. -
Russian Civil War
Multi-party war in the Russian Empire after the Russian Revolutions. The two largest combatant groups involved were; the Red Army and the White Army. -
October Revolution
Two revolutions in Russia; ended imperial rule and settled political and social changes the would lead to the formation of the Soviet Union. This removed Russia from the world war, bringing a transformation the country needed; like replacing their traditional monarchy into the world's first Communist state. -
Fourteen Points proposed
Statement of principles for world peace that was used for peace negotiations to end WWI. Principles were on war aims and peace terms to the United States Congress by President Woodrow Wilson. -
Russia signs Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Russia's involvement led to many losses with their allies against Germany. Russia signs this treaty with the Central Powers, ending their participation in WWI. -
Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates
Although, he did not seek war and even tried to prevent his generals from mobilizing the German army in 1914. Many believe his verbal outbursts were the cause for the conflict. Making him responsible for his conduct in the war, which later he was forced to abdicate; where he spent his life in exile in the Netherlands. -
Armistice Signed
The Great War ends, Germany had signed an armistice agreement with the Allies. This ended fighting on the Western Front. -
Treaty of Versailles signed
This was one of the peace treaties at the end of WWI. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers; took 6 months of negotiations to conclude the peace treaty. -
Stalin takes over Russia
He was the dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR); under his control the Soviet Union was transformed from a peasant society into a powerful industrial and militaristic country. He was involved in revolutionary politics and criminal activities as well. Once he had all the power, he sent his potential enemies to forced labor camps.
