Events 1. The Franco-Prussian War (July 1870- May 1871) a.

This conflict occurred as a result of tension around German unification, France lost Alsace-Lorraine and a revolt broke out in Paris known as the Paris Commune. 2. The German Empire is created (January 18, 1871) a. The German Empire was designated from its unification and proclamation of Wilhelm I as Emperor. Bismarck was responsible for this. 3. Congress of Berlin (June 13- July 13, 1878) a. In the wake of the Russo-Turkish war, Bismarcks aim of this congress was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans to maintain peace. 4. The Austro-German Treaty (October 7, 1879) a. This dual alliance was created as a part of Bismarcks alliance system to prevent any war from occurring in Europe. 5. The Triple Alliance established between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (1882) a. In the event that one of the nations in this alliance went to war with a great power, without provocation, the other two powers would provide support. 6. The Anglo-German Naval Race (1898-1912) a. As a result of the Four Fleets Acts, Germanys naval fleets underwent expansion. The British responded by expanding their own naval fleets. 7. The Franco-Russian Alliance (1892-1917) a. This alliance ended the diplomatic isolation of France and undermined the supremacy of the German Empire. Russia gained an ally against Germany. 8. The Entente Cordiale, agreed between France and Britain (April 8, 1904) a. France and Britain would settle colonial disputes in Africa. Britain retained Egypt, France retained Morocco. 9. The Russo-Japanese War (February 1904- September 1905) a. Also known as the Crimean War. This war grew out of imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over Manchuria and Korea. Russia would take severe casualties and its government would take ridicule.

10. The First Moroccan Crisis (March 1905- May 1906) a. Germany attempted to use the issue of Moroccos independence to increase frictions between France and Great Britain. It backfired and ended up strengthening the Franco-British alliance. It in turn also opened up talks between Britain and Russia. 11.The Anglo-Russian Agreement (1907) a. This would precede the formation of the Triple Entente as both nations no longer had conflicting interests. The agreement solidified boundaries that identified respective control in Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet. 12. Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia (October 6, 1908) a. After nearly 30 years, Austria-Hungary finally annexes Bosnia. The Serbia and pan-Slavic nationalists throughout Europe would be enraged as the Russian Public saw this as a foul act by Austria. 13.The Second Moroccan (Agadir) Crisis (July 1, 1911) a. Germany sent a gunboat to the part of Agadir to protect its trade interest, claiming to promote Moroccan independence. This provoked immediate reaction from the French and the British. Britain sided with France, further strengthening their relationship. 14.Anglo-French Naval Agreement (1912) a. The naval agreement assigned areas to be under French control so that Great Britain could concentrate its efforts elsewhere. 15.The First Balkan War (October 1912- May 1913) a. The war pitted the Balkan League against the inferior Ottoman Empire, allowing the league to rapid success. The Ottomans lost influence in almost all of Europe. 16.The Second Balkan War (June 1913- August 1913) a. The war broke out because Bulgaria was dissatisfied with its gain from the First Balkan War. It would not be supported by any other nation. It lost completely, losing the majority of land gained in the first war. Tension grew between Russia and Austria-Hungary. 17.Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated (June 28, 1914) a. The Archduke and his wife were shot by the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group. Austria responded with an ultimatum to Serbia backed by Germanys blank check offer. 18.Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia (July 28, 1914)

a.

Serbia accepted all conditions but one of the ultimatum, deeming it unconstitutional, forcing Austria to declare war.

19.Russia orders the mobilization of troops (July 30, 1914) a. Tsar Nicholas II originally ordered partial mobilization. After realizing the problem with partial mobilization as well as knowing he could not call such a gigantic mobilization, he declared full war. 20.Germany declares war on Russia (August 1, 1914) a. Germanys plan to invade France cannot be executed. Germany declares full-scale war on Russia. 21.Germany declares war on France (August 3, 1914) a. Germany declared war to move ahead with its plan for a two-front war against France and Russia. 22.Germany invades neutral Belgium (August 4, 1914) a. In order to maintain their two-front plan, Germany invades Bulgaria. Failing to remember what Great Britain said at the end of the Napoleonic wars, they inadvertently declare war on Britain. 23.Britain declares war on Germany (August 4, 1914) a. As Belgiums neutrality was guaranteed by Great Britain, it proposed an ultimatum to Germany to remove itself from Belgium. People 1) Bismarck is chancellor of Germany (1871-1890) a) Bismarck is known for his rounded balance of foreign affairs and peacekeeping for the stability of Germany. Bismarck would not only be credited for the unification of Germany, but also Realpolitik. He would become threatening after maintaining a strong alliance system against France, forcing him into deposition. 2) Wilhelm I is Emperor of Germany (1861-1888) a) Wilhelm I was the first German Emperor under whom Prussia achieved the unification of Germany. After he died, his son took over, only to die within a month. The grandson would later take over as Wilhelm II. 3) Wilhelm II is Emperor of Germany (1888-1918)

A. Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor. He would find realpolitik too confusing, resulting in the birth of Weltpolitik, a system that would lead to Germanys downfall and loss in the first war.

Policies I. Splendid Isolation (1895) A. This policy held by Great Britain depended on being uninvolved in European affairs unless the balance of power was disrupted. Germany would force them out of this through a series of tests which angered and caused fear. II. Bismarcks Alliance System A. The alliance system depended on becoming allies with multiple European countries in order to be able to choose depending on the situation. It would crumble upon Bismarks retirement. Realpolitik A. This foreign affairs policy was based on the idea of making decisions based on the current time and situation and not ideals or the past. It would be ideal to make decisions based on a countrys power. It would be too complex for Bismars successor, Wilhelm II. Weltpolitik (Coined in 1890) A. The foreign policy of Wilhelm II aimed to transform Germany into a global power through aggressive diplomacy and sheer force. This would cause severe tension among the European powers, leading to broken alliances, and eventually the World War.

III.

IV.