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Alliances
The Triple Alliance, one of the two major alliances formed before the start of WWI, was formed between Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Italy to initially protect one another if any of them were invaded by France. -
Nationalism
Nationalism was the strongest among the Slavic people in Serbia. Pan-Slavism demanded the Austro-Hungarian control step down where the natives, who are originally Slavic, resided. 'Black Hand' and other radical nationalist groups formed to try and prompt a unified Slavic state. -
Imperialism
In 1911, there was dispute for a North African imperialized nation, Morocco, between European nations. France and Britain feared Germany's place in that country as they believed he arranged a naval base to be set up there. In response, the French and Britain decided it be best that Germany have not Morocco and this most likely angered Wilhelm II, the Prussia emperor, to advance militarism in case he got in conflict with those nations again. -
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie
Nephew of the Austria-Hungary emperor is assassinated on his way to Sarajevo. Sarajevo, which was a former Ottoman territory and inhabited by native Serbs, spurred nationalistic feelings among the Slavic people. The murderer of these two royal people happened to be a nationalistic Slavic who fired at the couple in point-blank range. -
Germany's Blank Check to Austria-Hungary
In effect to Austria-Hungary's conflict with Serbia, German emperor Wilhelm II promises to support Austria-Hungary with any action it takes, further reaffirming the establishment of the Triple Alliance. -
WWI begins
Germany begins their invasion to France by clearing the path through neutral Belgium. Britain, who were bonded to Belgium through the Treaty of London in 1839, responded and sent troops to protect the impartial country. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
When Britain blockaded Germany of maritime supply around the start of the war, Germany responded by sending U-boats, or submarines, to sink the British RMS Lusitania. It killed more than a thousand people and contributed to the distasted opinion of the German empire. -
Zimmerman Telegram
This note to Mexico sent through a telegram by European central power, Germany, requested an alliance for Mexico to join the war, and in return, would help them return lost territory from the US. British decoders eventually intercepted the telegram and sent word to America, which became one of the causes why it joined the war. -
Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare
After many threats and pressure telling Germany to halt U-boat devastation to unarmed passenger boats, Germany decides to resume unrestricted submarine warfare as they believed it would give them the edge in the war. -
US entry into the war and her impact on it
WIlson request Congress to declare war against Germany on April of 1917 and eight months later the Senate and House votes for it. The impact American troops had on the European battlefront was tremendous as an infinite supply of volunteered soldiers rushed in and solidified a definite victory over Germany. However, propaganda to the public community of US led many to believe the war came at the expense of many of the Americans freedom. -
Militarism - Germany's Militaristic strategy
In response to French and British development on offensive tanks, German engineers and forces, with their lack of tanks themselves, organized the production of A7V Sturmpanzerwagen as the first German tanks to be the only seen in battle. Despite their lack of firepower in the tank category, it was during this time the Germans made up for it with their extreme anti-tank weapons to counter brutal firepower and push past heavy defenses. -
Effects of WWI
Around 17 million people died including civilians and military personnels. 37 million people faced casualties and many also faced physical and mental disabilities. Austria-Hungary was eliminated and recomposed into smaller countries such as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. The Russians gave up some of their land and Germany was pieced off to make new nations. Many people lost faith in their government as most countries lost an entire youth of their next generation. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles officially brought WWI to a conclusion and settled post-war issues. This treaty importantly burdened Germany to pay all the debts and damage done throughout the conflict. In addition, Germany lost 10% of its land which included some of their greatest assets of their income. German's were weakened and ultimately left bitter to solve their own post-war crisis. -
Dawes Plan and Young Plan
The Dawes Plan proposed to cut Germany's annual reparation payments and gradually increase it as its economy improved. Young's committee proposed to demand less from Germany. Both plans involved US loans to assist in improving Germany's overall economy. Employment rose in Germany as factories and jobs were produced as American assistance poured in. Quality of life began to improve as a result of these two plans. -
Great Depression
A few causes contributed to the Great Depression. Some of those included insufficient spending by the rich and the stock market crash. "Black Thursday" as it is more known is when the effects of unintelligent investment of many Americans eventually caused the market to crash. This caused many Americans to become unemployed. The fall of the economy eventually turned into the world depression, causing the halt of American loans into German reparations as well. -
Rise of Hitler
Hitler quits the army following WWI to pursue political affairs. He forms the Nazi party who resent the countries who plunder off of their country's defeat. Through his strong leadership, Hitler gains the public's trust and creates his political book, Mein Kamph. He introduces the idea of a superior race called the "Aryan" and uses it to justify anti-semitism and totalitarian. The Nazi party eventually comes to political power when Hitler becomes chancellor.
