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Unification of Germany
Up until about 1850, Germany was split into almost 300 individual states. Otto von Bismark, German Chancellor, unified Germany in 1871. -
Germany creates Alsace Lorraine Territory
Alsace-Lorraine was ceded by France to Germany in 1871 following the Franco-Prussian war. The territory has changed nationality four times since 1871. -
Unification of Italy
Although Italy was somewhat unified (more so than Germany), not all of Italy was included. In 1870, after the Franco-Prussian war, Rome and other papal states were left unoccupied, and the Italian army rushed in to claim them. Guiseppe Garibaldi played a huge role in this expedition. -
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Major Alliances Begin to Form
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Triple Alliance is Formed
Intimidated by Russia and France's growing international power, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary form a military alliance called the Triple Alliance. Each member promised support for the other in case of a military attack. Frustrated by not being able to successfully establish international colonies, Italy joined the alliance to counter a French Attack. However, throughout the course of the war, Italy would change sides several times, each time angering many other surrounding countries. -
Remarque is Born
Erich Maria Remarque is born in Osnabruck, Germany to Peter Remarque and Anna Maria. -
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Erich Maria Remarque
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Triple Alliance is Renewed
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy renew their Triple Alliance, which ensured each one's support for the other in the event of a military attack. Shortly after the renewal, Italy secretly formed a similar Alliance to France. (.....sorry for the weirdly offputting picture..) -
Anglo-Russian Entente
The Anglo-Russian Entente was the name given to the alliance formed between Russia, France, and Brittain. This alliance eventually grew to include twenty-seven countries- far outnumbering the Triple Alliance. -
Triple-Entente is Reaffirmed
In 1912, the Allied powers renew their alliance. At this point, Italy is alligned with the Triple-Entente, and does not support the Germans at the outbreak of the war. -
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World War One
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The Spark that Lit the Match
Assassination of Franz FerdinandArchduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. In response to the death of their Heir, Austra-Hungary issued Serbia an ultimatum- under the assumptionn that the Serbian government was implicated with the assassination. A term of the ultimatum was that Serbia must abolish all anti-Austrian propaganda. -
As a Result....
Because Austria-Hungary delcared war on Serbia, Russia, in protecting her ally, began to mobilize her troops. World War One begins because of Russia's mobilization. -
Austria-Hungary declares War on Serbia
Upset with Serbia's reaction to the ultimation, Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia. "The Royal Serbian Government not having answered in a satisfactory manner the note of July 23, 1914, presented by the Austro-Hungarian Minister at Belgrade, the Imperial and Royal Government are themselves compelled to see to the safeguarding of their rights and interests, and, with this object, to have recourse to force of arms. Austria-Hungary is henceforward in a state of war with Serbia" -
Germany declares war on Russia and France
In late July, Germany warns Russia to stop her mobilization. Though Russia responds by saying that her moblization is only against Austria-Hungary, Germany declared war in defense of Austria-Hungary. "His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, in the name of the German Empire, accepts the challenge, and considers himself at war with Russia." Meanwhile, Italy declares neutrality. -
Britain Declares war on Germany
Britain is outraged at the Germany invasion of neutral Belgium and is obligated to defend Belgium in keeping with a 75-year-old treaty. Britain aligns herself with France and declares war on Germany. Once Britain entered the war, her vast array of colonies offered much military and economic support. -
Plan XVII
The recapture of Alsace-Lorraine was one of France's main objectives in delcaring war against Germany. Alsace-Lorraine was one of Germany's prized territories, and Germany was well aware of France's intentions or reclaiming it, which is why it was factored into the Schlieffen Plan. -
First Battle of the Marne
Towards the end of August 1914, the German army was moving swiftly into Paris. The commander and chief of French forces ordered troops to be stationed a few miles south of the Marne, which opened a gap between German lines. After a four day battle, the German forces were unable to break through the Allied offensive. This battle led to trench warfare and destroyed the belief that the war would soon be over. -
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United States Remains Neutral
Woodrow Wilson declares absolute neutrality, which lasts until 1917. -
Chritmas Truce
The Christmas truce was part of a series of understood ceasefires along the Western Front between German and British troops. The truce is symbolic of peace in the face of one of the bloodiest events of the twentieth century. Over 100,000 troops participated in the ceasefire. -
Arthur Zimmerman Sends a Telegram...
German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman sends a telegram to Mexico offering United States territory if Mexico aligned herself with Germany. This telegram was intercepted by the Allied forces and helped bring the once-reluctant United States into the war. -
The Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun was one of the first major battles fought along the Western Front. The German chief of staff believed that Germany could win the war if the Western Front could be captured. He argued that if Germany could defeat France, a British surrender would ensue. This switched the focus from the Eastern Front to the Western Front. Over 100,000 shells hit Verdun every hour. After a ten-month long, casualy ridden battle, it was declared a stalemate, as no advancements were made. -
Remarque joins the Great War
Remarque enlists at the age of 18, and trains in his home town of Osnabruck. -
Tsar Nicholas Steps Down
Tsar Nicholas abdicates the thrown as a result of the Russian Revolution -
United States Joins the War
After the interception of the Zimmerman telegram and the restricted Germany U-boat debacle, Woodrow Wilson asks permission of Congress to declare a state of war against Germany. The vote is unanimous, and the United States enters the war. Wilson defended the decious to enter the war by saying the involvement is "an act of high principle and idealism and as a crusade to make the world safe for democracy" -
Remarque joins the Western Front
Remarque is sent to the Western Front with the 2nd Company of the 2nd Gaurds Reserve Division -
Remarque is injured at the Western Front
Soon after the Third Battle of Ypres begins, Remarque is seriously wounded in the leg, arm, and neck while serving at the Western Front. He is sent to a military hospital in Germany, where he remains for the duration of the War. -
Third Ypres Battle Begins
Unlike the first two battles of Ypres, the Third Battle was launched by Sir Douglas Haig and his allied forces. A huge battle ended in a small victory for the Allies, and devasting losses for the Central Powers, namely Germany. The aim of the battle was to weaken the Germans' will and was to be one of the final battles that ended the war of attrition (where no one side advances; results in a stalemate).The battle resulted in 310,000 British casualties and 260,000 German casualities. -
The Armistice
The Allied powers and the German army agreed to an armistice on november 11th, 1918, right after the Kaiser announced his abdication. The armistice was originally only set for thirty days, but was renewed with the creation of the Treaty of Versailles and Wilson's Fourteen points. Clause One "One - Cessation of operations by land and in the air six hours after the signature of the armistice" -
Kaiser Wilhelm II Announces Abdication
In 1918, German troops wanted an armistice, and threatened a revolution if one could not be made. In response to this, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne and went into exile in Holland. "I herewith renounce for all time claims to the throne of Prussia and to the German Imperial throne connected therewith" -
The Treaty of Versailles
After the Treaty of Versailles was written up, Germany was given three weeks to accept the terms, which included: returning Alsace-Lorraine to France, Germany's overseas colonies would be split among Allied forces, and Germany's army could not exceed 100,000 men. Many argue that the harsh terms imposed on Germany helped the rise of the Nazi party in the 1930's. -
Remarque becomes an author
In early December of 1928, All Quiet on The Western Front is published, later to be both banned and burned in Germany in the late 1930's. -
Remarque Leaves Germany
Remarque leaves Germany and splits his time between Switzerland and France until 1939, when he and his wife move to America. -
All Quiet is Burned
Joeseph Goebbles orders all copies of All Quiet on the Western Front to be publicly burned. Goebbles argued that Remarque, or Remark, was Jewish man named Kramer (remark spelled backwards) who was hiding behind a new identity... -
Remarque Dies
On September 25th, 1970, Remarque dies in Locarno at the age of 72. His novel "All Quiet on the Western Front" is considered to be the quintessential war novel.
