Introduction

1870-1:  The German Empire

Germany became a united country. German forces defeated France. The French had to give up the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. They wanted revenge.

1878:  Treaty of San Stefano

Serbia became an independent country. The Serbs were very nationalistic. They wanted to unite the Serbs into one country.

1898:  Fashoda incident

English and French forces clashed in the Sudan, almost causing a war.

1899-1902:  Boer War

Britain defeated the Boer rebels in South Africa. Kaiser Wilhelm said he supported the Boers. Britain was angry with Germany.

1900:  Second German Navy Law

Germany planned to increase the German Navy to 38 battleships.

1902:  Anglo-Japanese Treaty

Britain came to a naval agreement with Japan.

1903:  Berlin-Baghdad Railway

France and Britain objected to Germany's plans for a railway from Berlin to Baghdad in the Turkish Empire. They feared that Germany was trying to get control over Turkey.

1904:  Anglo-French Entente Cordiale

A 'friendly agreement' between Britain and France.

1904-1905:  Russo-Japanese War

When Japan defeated the Russians, people realised that Russia was militarily weak.

1906:  HMS Dreadnought

The first Dreadnought warship was launched in Britain.

1907:  Entente between Britain and Russia

An agreement between Britain and Russia.

1908:  Bosnia

Austria-Hungary annexed (took over) Bosnia from the Turks.

1908:  Daily Telegraph Article

In a Daily Telegraph interview, Kaiser Wilhelm said that the German people disliked Britain, but he liked Britain. The British people were angry.

1911:  Agadir Crisis

Germany sent a gunboat, The Panther, to the Moroccan port of Agadir. Kaiser Wilhelm demanded a 'place in the sun' for Germany. France and Britain prepared for war. Germany backed, down.

1912-1913:  Balkan Wars

Turkey was almost driven out of the Balkans (south-east Europe). The Serbian Prime Minister warned, 'The first round is won. Now for the second round – against Austria'.  

After you have studied this webpage, answer the question sheet by clicking on the 'Time to Work' icon at the top of the page.

Links:

The following websites will help you research further:

1   Murder at Sarajevo

The First World War began with an assassination (political murder).  These pictures tell the story of the 'spark' that started the war.