France World War One Timeline

  • Treaty of London

    Britain, France, Austria and Germany sign the Treaty of London to guarantee neutrality and sovereignty of the recognized country of Belgium.
  • Franco-Prussian War

    Conflict between the French empire and the North German Confederation led by the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia wanting to unify with Germany created tension and fear in France because of the shift in European power.
  • Treaty of Frankfurt

    Treaty of Frankfurt
    Treaty signed by France and Germany to end the Franco-Prussian War. The agreement caused withdrawal of German troops, stated France's war indemnity, handed the territory of Alsace and Lorraine to German control, acceptance of the German Emperor, and trade between the countries.
  • Berlin Conference

    Berlin Conference
    Conflict arises among European powers during the scramble for Africa. Rivalry between Great Britain and France causes Bismarck to get involved. Great Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, and King Leopold II get together to negotiate claims on African territory.
  • Imperialism

    Imperialism
    The desire for greater empires inspired France and Britain to gather lots of territory under their control. When Germany and Italy noticed this they began to go after this territory as well, creating conflict between the countries, eventually resulting in World War I.
  • Franco-Russian Military Convention

    Document published in 1918 that stated if France or Russia is attacked by any of the Triple Alliance members the other power will provide military assistance.
  • Dual Alliance (Franco-Russian Alliance)

    Dual Alliance (Franco-Russian Alliance)
    year specified, day and month not specified
    France and Russia were both looking for support against Germany and Austria-Hungary causing these countries to begin to work together, thus upsetting alliances established to protect Germany.
  • Nationalism

    Nationalism
    During this time their was a strong sense of nationalism throughout Europe. Every individual country was taking precautions so that other countries would not take advantage of them. They built their militaries for a sense of protection while other nations looked at this as a threat and followed in their footstep, creating tension that pushes the world into war.
  • The Entente Cordiale

    The Entente Cordiale
    An agreement between France and Great Britain made not to form an alliance but to make France feel secure and safe against the German system of Alliances.
  • The Triple Entente

    The Triple Entente
    Russia joins The Entente Cordiale in fear of Germanys rising power.
  • Anglo-French Naval Agreement

    year specified, day and month not specified
    Military agreement between Britain and France that promised British protection of France's coastline from German attack. France, in return, protects the Suez Canal.
  • Militarism

    Militarism
    To feel secure during this time, nations built up their militaries. The tension created from the building of national militaries caused conflict to arise.
  • German declares war on France

  • Sacred Union Proclaimed

    "In the coming war, France will be heroically defended by all its sons, whose sacred union will not break in the face of the enemy." All political wings unite for war efforts.
  • La Grande Retraite

    British Expeditionary Force and French army forces on the Western Front slowly withdraw to the River Marne.
  • First Battle of Marne

    First Battle of Marne
    A battle between French army and the British Expeditionary Force against Germans who had invaded Northeastern France.This resulted in the first Allied victory of World War One.
  • United States Enters the War

    United States Enters the War
    US sides with the Allied Powers
  • Germany signs Armistice

    Germany signs Armistice
    The migration of American troops gave the Allied Powers the greater power against Germany. This advantage led to Germany signing a ceasefire effective on the 11th hour on November 11th.
  • Treaty of Versailles signed

    Treaty of Versailles signed
    Peace treaty between France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Britain and the United States. Germany was not involved in the making of the treaty and was forced to take full responsibility for the war.