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Triple Alliance formed
The Triple Alliance was formed in 1882, between Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy. It was formed to provide its members with support if threatened by any major world power. -
Triple Entente formed
The Triple Entente was the result of coalition from Great Britain, France, and Russia. It was initiated first by the Franco-Russian alliance, then the Anglo-Franco alliance (Entente Cordiale), and finally the Anglo-Russian Entente. The presence of this alliance alerted the members of the Triple Alliance. -
Naval Arms Race
Great Britain created a battle of unrivaled power, the HMS Dreadnaught. It solidified the British as a formidable navy power. Germany, being a major world force as well, felt disturbance upon learning this, and the relationship between these two great powers tensed. -
Balkan Wars
The Balkans occupied critical geolocations and with the fell of the Ottoman force, the region grew unstable and surrounding countries were looking to take over. Austria-Hungary and its ally, the Germans, felt the need to reassure their power against the raise of the Triple Entente. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
While on a inspection tour of his troops, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was shot by a Serbian revolutionary. Driven into fury by the political tenseness in the area, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after getting reassurance from its ally, Germany. Russia, Serbia's ally, mobilized its troops as a counter. This caused a chain reaction that would cause major European powers to declared was on each other, namely between the members of the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente. -
Period: to
World War I
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The World Goes to War
While members of the Alliance and Entente declared war with each other, it was Germany that made its first move by invading Belgium, a neutral country, a bystander. Great Britain sent out an ultimatum demanding the German force to retract from Belgium grounds, but Germany refused. This act of hostility fully ignited the bad bloods between Great Britain and Germany, as these two were already locked in a arms race. On August 4th, Great Britain declares war on Germany. -
Tactical Superiority
In late August of 1914, the Russian army encountered German forces in Tannenberg, East Prussia. While the Russian army had superior numbers, they were outsmarted by German tactics. Despite being a smaller force, Germany managed to inflict a critical hit to the Russians, capturing 125,000 of its men. -
First Battle of the Marne
With the German force pressing on valley of Marne, soon approaching Paris, the French army made valiant efforts in defending against the intruders, and resisted their advance. This was a critical part of the War, since it gave the Entente allies confidence after suffering a major loss in Tannenberg. -
Longer than Expected
At the Battle of Marne, Germany expected to overwhelm the French forces with their tactics and firepower, making it a swift victory. This was halted by the prolonged fight with the French, and the Russians were pressing on the Eastern Front. The longer-than-expected schedule interrupted their war plans, and slowed down the German force's advance. -
Ethics?
During the Second Battle of Ypres, German forces adopted the use of chlorine gas in the battlefield. It claimed many lives, and was proven an unethical tactic even during warfare. To fight against such unconventional weaponry, the French went on to develop gas masks, and gases of their own. -
Deadlock at Verdun
The longest battle of the War opened up in the front of Verdun, with the Germans planning to completely crush their opponents. However, they were met with fierce resistance, and failed to break through. Both the French and German suffered a great number of casualties, entered into a stalemate by the end of 1916. Eventually, the French prevailed and emerged victorious, having driven out the German forces. -
Keeping Enemies at Bay
The battle of Jutland was the largest naval warfare of the War. The British, with its newly formed fleets and innovative dreadnaughts, put up solid fights against the German navy. At the end of the battle, both sides suffered casualties and had their fleets reduced in great numbers. This, however, kept the German navy at the coast on the defensive, rendering them incapable of performing offensively. -
Canadians at Somme
Canadian soldiers defended valiantly against the oppressing German forces on the Western Front, in what many historians would consider the bloodiest battlefield of the War. The results our soldiers produced demonstrated the courage of the Canadians operating in foreign lands, and earned great recognition amongst the allies. -
America joins the fight
In early 1917, the Germans deployed the U-Boats and they destroyed all enemy ships, as well as civilian ships. Amongst the thousands of ships sunk, many USA boats were present and the Americans became enflamed in rage, finally committing to the intercontinental war. With a new ally gained, the European forces were able to stand up to Germany once more. -
Canadians forces at Vimy Ridge
Canadian troops played a key role in pushing back the Germans at Vimy Ridge, regaining more land than allies could. Four soldiers earned the Victoria Cross, the highest military distinction of honor. However, the victories came with heavy casualties; the country of less than 8 million people saw ten percent of its population serve in war.