| 1882 |
Germany,
Austria-Hungary and Italy signed the Triple Alliance (May) |
| 1883 |
Rumania
and Austria-Hungary signed a secret alliance, to which Germany adhered
(October) |
| 1890 |
Germany
allowed the Reinsurance Treaty signed with Russia to lapse (June) |
| 1894 |
France
and Russia signed a defensive alliance (January) |
| 1896 |
William
II of Germany sent a telegram to Kruger congratulating him on repulsing
Jameson's raid on the Transvaal. This provoked public disapproval in
Britain (January) |
| 1898 |
Germany
introduced its first Naval Law
(March)
Talks between Germany and Britain on how to best resist Russian
expansion in the Far East broke down. (March-April) |
| 1899 |
First
Hague Peace Conference failed to get agreement on disarmament.
(May-June) |
| 1900 |
Germany
introduced its second Naval Law. (June) |
| 1901 |
Failure
of talks/negotiations between Germany and Britain over an alliance.
(March-May) |
| 1902 |
Britain
and Japan signed a defensive alliance. (January) |
| 1904 |
Britain
and France signed the 'Entente Cordiale' after settling colonial
differences. (April) |
| 1905 |
The
Schlieffen Plan was drawn up for an attack on France via Belgium.
(December) |
| 1906 |
The
Algeciras Conference settled the first Morocco Crisis; during the crisis
Britain and France held military talks and Britain considered sending an
expeditionary force to the continent. (January-April) |
| 1907 |
At
the second Hague Peace Conference, Germany rejected any scheme for
disarmament. (June-October)
The Triple Alliance was renewed for a further six years. (July)
Russia and Britain signed a convention that, with France, led to the
Triple Entente. (July) |
| 1908 |
Austria-Hungary's
annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina ended the gentleman's agreement between
Austria-Hungary and Russia that both would maintain the status quo in
the Balkans. The annexation greatly inflamed Serbian nationalism.
(October) |
| 1911 |
The
Agadir Crisis was peacefully resolved between France and Germany -
though during it Britain made preparations for war. (June-November) |
| 1912 |
Haldane
went to Berlin in an effort to get an end to the naval race between
Britain and Germany - he failed. (February)
Germany introduced its third Naval Law. (March)
The first Balkan War led to Russia and Austria-Hungary mobilising but
the crisis subsided when Russia withdrew its support for Serbian
territorial claims. (October) |
| 1913 |
Germany
introduced a special tax that would finance the doubling of its army's
strength. (June)
Military service in France was increased from 2 to 3 years. (August)
The Second Balkan War was ended by the Treaty of Constantinople.
(September) |
| 1914 |
Franz
Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo. (June
28th)
Austria-Hungary sent Serbia an ultimatum. (July 23rd)
The Russians decided to defend Serbia against Austria-Hungary. (July
24th)
Austria-Hungary assured Russia that no Serbian land would be annexed;
Austria-Hungary did not accept the Serbian reply to its ultimatum and
ordered mobilisation against Serbia. (July 25th)
Germany and Austria-Hungary rejected Grey's suggestion for an
international conference to settle the Austro-Serbian dispute. (July
26th)
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. (July 28th)
Russia began a general mobilisation. (July 30th)
Germany sent an ultimatum to Russia that Russia should stop movement of
all military on the Russian-German border. (July 31st)
Germany declared war on Russia having received no reply from Russia
regarding her ultimatum. (August 1st)
Germany declared war on France and initiating the Schlieffen Plan,
invaded Belgium. Italy announced that she would remain neutral. (August
3rd)
Britain declared war on Germany. (August 4th)
Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia; Serbia declared war on Germany.
(August 6th)
Montenegro declared war on Germany. (August 8th) |
