First World War
History Guide
World War One:
Events leading up to World War One:
March 1890: The German statesman Otto von Bismarkre signs, mostly forced by the new Kaiser, Wilelm II. The Kaiser takes a more active role in German Welpolitik. However, the blunders of the Kaiser and other chancellors alienate Germany from other European powers and gave increasing influence to army leaders within Germany.
December 1893: France and Russia sign a military convention pledging to help each other in the event of a German attack.
January 1902: British-Japanese alliance.
February 1904: Russo-Japanese War. Japan was a rapidly modernizing country with imperial interests in Korea and Manchuria. These interests conflicted with Russian interests and the result was war. Russia lost horribly.
April 1904: Anglo-French Entente settled colonial disputes between them. Seen in Germany as a clear British alignment with France, and therefore Russia as well against the Triple Alliance of 1882. (German, Italy, Austro-Hungary).
August 1907: Russia and Britain settle their disputes over Persia and Afghanistan. Germany begins to fear encirclement by Russia, Britain, and France.
1908: Revolt in the Ottoman Empire. Austro-Hungary annexes Bosnia-Herzegovina. Obtains Russian agreement by promising to support the ending of travel restrictions on Russian warships between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Austro-Hungary ignores the agreement. Germany mobilization forces in support of Austro-Hungary. Russian protest ends, increased tensions in the Balkans.
June 1914: Archduke Franz-Ferdinand assassinated.
Causes
The historian A.J.P. Taylor contends that Germany was determined to start a war. Germany had prepared many minor modifications. Moreover, Germany was at the height of its military power and wanted to exploit the situation.
Nationalism:
There was an emerging problem of aggressive patriotism in Europe.
In Austria-Hungary , a large number of ethnic groups (such as Serbs, Hungarians, etc.)
World War One:
Events leading up to World War One:
March 1890: The German statesman Otto von Bismarkre signs, mostly forced by the new Kaiser, Wilelm II. The Kaiser takes a more active role in German Welpolitik. However, the blunders of the Kaiser and other chancellors alienate Germany from other European powers and gave increasing influence to army leaders within Germany.
December 1893: France and Russia sign a military convention pledging to help each other in the event of a German attack.
January 1902: British-Japanese alliance.
February 1904: Russo-Japanese War. Japan was a rapidly modernizing country with imperial interests in Korea and Manchuria. These interests conflicted with Russian interests and the result was war. Russia lost horribly.
April 1904: Anglo-French Entente settled colonial disputes between them. Seen in Germany as a clear British alignment with France, and therefore Russia as well against the Triple Alliance of 1882. (German, Italy, Austro-Hungary).
August 1907: Russia and Britain settle their disputes over Persia and Afghanistan. Germany begins to fear encirclement by Russia, Britain, and France.
1908: Revolt in the Ottoman Empire. Austro-Hungary annexes Bosnia-Herzegovina. Obtains Russian agreement by promising to support the ending of travel restrictions on Russian warships between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Austro-Hungary ignores the agreement. Germany mobilization forces in support of Austro-Hungary. Russian protest ends, increased tensions in the Balkans.
June 1914: Archduke Franz-Ferdinand assassinated.
Causes
The historian A.J.P. Taylor contends that Germany was determined to start a war. Germany had prepared many minor modifications. Moreover, Germany was at the height of its military power and wanted to exploit the situation.
Nationalism:
There was an emerging problem of aggressive patriotism in Europe.
In Austria-Hungary , a large number of ethnic groups (such as Serbs, Hungarians, etc.)