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Two major states of Europe had been formed, the German Empire and the kingdom of Italy. The new German Empire was under the rule of Otto von Bismarck. Germany allied itself with Russia and Austria-Hungary, but Austria-Hungary and Russia did not get along well. Bismarck then formed a secret alliance with Austria-Hungary. This upset Italy, leading to the Triple Alliance between Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary.
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Kaiser Wilhelm dismissed Prince Otto von Bismarck in 1890. He then put Germany on a "New Course" in foreign affairs.
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Kaiser Wilhelm II allows a Russian alliance to expire. Russia forms a defensive military alliance with France two years later.
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In 1892, Russia formed defensive military alliance with France because Wilhelm II let Germany's alliance with Russia expire. If Germany went to war with either France or Russia, they would be fighting a two-front war.
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Britain formed an entente with France in 1904.
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After Great Britain forms an alliance with France, They made another alliance with Russia, forming the Triple Entente.
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Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife visited Sarajevo. They were shot as they rode through Sarajevo by Gavrilo. They were shot by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hands. The Black Hands was a secret society for getting rid of the Austrian rule for Bosnia.
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Austria Hungary was very upset about the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. They decided to punish Serbia for the murder of the heir to the throne. Austria gave Serbia and ultimatum, stating that they wanted to launch and investigation of the murder and investigate anyone against Austrian rule.
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Serbia denyed Austria's ultimatum and declared war. Russia then ordered for moblization of Russian troups toward Austrian borders.
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Russia began sending troups to Germany and Austria's borders. Germany then declared war on Russia.
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Russia started to look for help from its ally, France. After Germany noticed this, they quickly declared war on France as well.
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Britain declares war on Germany after Germany declared war on France.
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Germans rushed through Paris. All the allies regrouped and attacked Germany in the valley of the Marne River. After four days of fighting, Germans surrendered. This was the first battle of the Civil War.
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The Ottoman Empire joins the Central Powers.
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In February, the allies launched the Gallipoli Campaign. It made Bulgaria join the Central Powers in September because of its failure.
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After promised Austrian lands, Italy joined Allies with Austrians.
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Germans instituted the submarine warfare. The US warned them not to sink anymore ships but they did not listen. In may, Germans sank the USS Lustania.
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Battle that lasted from February 21 1916 until December 19 1916. Caused over 700000 casualties.
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A policy where Germans will sink enemy ships without warning. Made Americans very upset.
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British intercepted a telegram from Germany. The message said that Germany would help Mexico reconquer all land lost from the US if Mexico joined sides with Germany.
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Zimmermans note was the last draw for the U.S. They decided to enter war with Germany in April.
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Vladimir Ilyrich Lenin made a truce with Germany. This was known as Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
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Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed on March 3, 1918 between Russia and the Central Powers. It marked Russia's exit from World War I.
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Last German attack on the Western Front. The attack failed when France counterattacked.
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Wilhelm II was forced to step down.
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France and Germany signed an armisitice (agreement) to stop fighting.
