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Economic Competition
Throughout the Industrial Revolution and into the 1800's, many European countries had economic rivalries over certain trade routes and goods. Leading to small conflicts and differences between each other. -
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Events That Led Up To WWI
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Imperialism
Germany is unified as an Imperial federation of states, led by the king of Pussia. This kicks off an era of popultion growth and industrialization. The Germa's also displayed their imperialistic nature by annexing the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from France. -
Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy form the Triple Alliance. -
Naval Competition
Germany begins to build up it's navy to challenge British Navy, who currently had a long-standing global supremecy. -
Britian and Japan
Britain and Japan form a naval alliance. Leading to Japan siezing German territories. -
Russo-Japanese Rivalry
The Russo-Japanese war began, where Russian and Japan fought over Manchuria and Korea. Japan came out on top, and destroyed almost all of Russia's Baltic and Pacific fleets. These conflicts also sparked some political issues that led the the Russian Revolution in 1905. -
Moroccan Crisis
Morocco was given to France by Britiain, but the Moraccans wanted independence. Germany supported this independence and a conflict was narrowly avoided by a conference which allowed France to retain possesion. -
Triple Entente
Russia, France, and Great Britain formed the Triple Entente in response to the formation of the Triple Alliance. -
Bosnian Crisis
Austria-Hungary took over the former Turkish province of Bosnia. This angered the Serbians who felt the province should be thiers. Serbia(backed by Russia) threatened Austri-Hungary(backed by Germany). Conflict was narrowly avoided when Russia backed down. -
Arms Race
Germany surpasses Britain as the leading manufacturing nation in Europe. The European nations battle against one another to see who has the biggest military arsenal. -
The First Balkan War
The Balkan War erupts in Southern Europe, as Serbia leads an attack against the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire, to drive the Turks out of Europe. -
The Second Balkan War
After the First Balkan War a peace treaty was made , however Bulgaria desires more land and attacks Serbia and Greece. Romania and the Turks then attack Bulgaria as well, leaving the Southern portion of Europe politically unstable. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
While visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria) and his wife were assassinated. Who was believed to be a Serbian nationalist, which led to Austria taking it's anger out on Serbia. -
Mobilization
Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, delivers an ultimatum to Serbia. The Serbs propose arbitration as a way to resolve dispute, but mobilized their troops anyway. -
War!
The Austro-Hungarian Empire declares war on Serbia, kickstarting the fist world war. Eventually, their allies became involved and tured into a much larger conflict than expected. -
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Events That Took Place During the War
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First Battle of the Marne
This was the first battle to be fought during WWI, between the French/British and the Germans. It was fought North and East of Paris and was meant to prevent the Germans from advancing into Belgium. The Allies came out on top, and the battle ended on September 12, 1914. The Allies suffered 262,733 casualties , and there are no numbers recorded of German casualties. -
Battle of Verdun
Considered to be the lengthiest battle in world history it lasted for 11 months and finally ended on 19 December 1916. There were an estimated 700,000 casualties in a battlefield that was not even a square ten kilometers. -
USA
The United States enters the war and aids the Triple Entente. -
Second Battle of the Marne
Also known as the Battle of Reims, it was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during WWI. The Germans retreated and the battle ended on August 6, 1918 with 288,000 overall casualties. -
Treaty of Versailles
The treaty was signed oficially ending the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers, exactly 5 years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
