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Militarism
According to Oxford Dictionary, "Militarism the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests". Militarism has been around for centuries, playing a major role in wars-including WW1. Militarism is what lead to the race for arms, started by Germany as they built up their army and created weaponry. America eventually joined after they were under threat of Germany. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and His Wife, Sophie
On the 28th of June, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were taking a tour of the town Sarajevo in an open motorcade when Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princep shot annd killed them. They both died on spot. Although not the cause of WW1, this event led to the downward spiral of events that led to WW1. -
Germany's Blank Check to Austria-Hungary
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany pledges the unconditional support of his country to Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary had been at conflict with Serbia, and the conflict only grew worse after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Because of Serbia's alliance with Russia, Germany's alliance with Austria-Hungary pitted two strong allies against one another, thus causing more tension around the world. -
World War 1 Begins
After Archduke Ferdinand's assassination, Austria-Hungary declare war on Serbia. Germany is allies with Austria-Hungary, so that puts them against Russia, which is Serbia's ally. This further splits the major European countries into two different sides. After Germany invaded France, Great Britain (French Ally) enters the war. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
On a late afternoon, Lusitania, the British liner, was torpedoed by German submarines. The submarines attacked without warning, sinking the vessel in about 20 minutes. Of the 1,959 passengers and crew, 1.198 people drowned. This included 128 Americans. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram was a cryptic telegram issued from the German Foreign Office. Germany wanted to propose an alliance with Mexico, offering U.S. states of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico if they won the war. British cryptographers deciphered it. -
Germany's Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany was suspended from unrestricted submarine warfare, but they ignored it. On January 31, 1917, Bethmann Hollweg went before the German Reichstag government and made the announcement that unrestricted submarine warfare would resume the next day. -
U.S. Entry into the War
The U.S. Senate declares war on Germany two days before they officially enter. Although they didn't offer immediate help to the allies, their entry into the war saved Britain and the rest of the Triple Entente from bankruptcy. The U.S. lost about 50,000 of their men on the battlefields. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Allied powers came up with the Treaty of Versailles to end the war. Germany was forced to sign the treaty, though it had little say in the negotiation of it. The treaty was intended to prevent Germany from starting a war with the Allied powers again. The Allies, especially France, wanted to cripple Germany with debt and a deprived military source. This made the people of Germany feel weak and helpless, and they soon became angry and desperate for someone to lift their nation up again. -
Rise of Hitler
Hitler served in WW1 and felt a great sense of belonging when he was a part of the military. After the end of WW1, Hitler becomes involved in the National Socialist German Workers Party where he later becomes a leader. Spending 5 years in prison, he writes a book called "Mein Kampf". Hitler gains political popularity in Germany for vowing to fight communists and wins the election held in 1934. Hitler had firm control over Germany and led it into WW2. -
Dawes Plan and Young Plan
After the end of WW1 and following the Treaty of Versailles, there was a big reperations problem that bedeviled international politics. The Dawes plan, proposed by the Dawes Commitee was an attempt to solve the WW1 reparations problem. The Young plan was the second negotiation of Germany's WW1 reparations payment. The meeting was held on February 11, 1929 to revise the Dawes plan -
Effects of WW1
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Alliances
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Imperialism
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Nationalism
