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1871 10 May French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine annexed by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War. They had been the subject of dispute between the two countries before they were ceded to France in 1648 as part of the Peace of Westphalia.

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1888 15 June Wilhelm II becomes Emperor of Germany.

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1890 20 March Chancellor Otto von Bismarck forced to resign by Emperor Wilhelm II.

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1894 4 January Franco-Russian Alliance finalised. This was a mutual defence arrangement against fears of future agression.

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1907 7 August Triple Entente, originating in a series of 'colonial understandings', concluded by signing ofAnglo-Russian Entente. This drew Britain in to the series of military alliances.

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1913 1 June (ended) First Balkan War: most remaining colonies in Ottoman Empire were lost by Turkey.

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1913 31 July (ended) Second Balkan War: Bulgaria attacked its former allies Serbia and Greece. Enlarged Serbia left as Russia's only ally in the region after break-up of Russian-Bulgarian alliance.

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1914 28 June Assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Hapsburg Empire, by the 'Black Hand', a group of Serbian terrorists.

 

1914 6 July Germany tells Austria-Hungary that it count on German support for whatever action is decided. This is often described as the 'blank cheque'.

 

1914 23 July Austro-Hungarian ultimatum to Serbia.

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1914 25 July Austria-Hungary breaks off relations with Serbia.

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1914 28 July Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

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1914 30 July Russia orders general mobilisation.

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1914 31 July Germany sends ultimatum to Russia and France.

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1914 1 August Germany declares war on Russia.

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1914 2 August Germany invades Luxembourg and sends ultimatum to Belgium.

 

1914 3 August Germany invades Belgium and declares war on France.

 

1914 4 August Britain declares war on Germany.

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