Build up to World War 1

There were many factors that led to the outbreak of war in 1914 the causes of the war can be traced back 31 years before the war.

Although World war 1 didn't start until 1914 political movements that led to the war started in May 1883 when Germany,Austria-Hungary and Italy signed the Triple alliance.

In October 1883,Rumania and Austria-Hungary signed a secret alliance to which Germany adhered.

The reinsurance treaty which previously been signed by Russia and Germany lapsed in October 1883 and Germany refused to resign it.

France and Russia signed a defensive alliance in January 1890.

In January 1896 Kruger recieved a telegram from William II of Germany congratulating him on repulsing Jamiesons raid in the Transvaal,which provoked brittish disapproval.

Between March and April 1898 talks between Britain and Germany, on how to resist Russian expansion in the far east,broke down.

Also in March 1898 Germany introduced their first Naval law.

Between May and June 1899 at the first Hague peace conference talks failed to agree on disarmament.

Germany introduced it's second Naval law in June 1900.

Between March and May 1901 alliance negotiations with Germany and Britain failed.

In January 1902 a defensive alliance was signed by Britain and Japan.

Britain and France signed the "Entente Cordiale" (cordial agreement) after settling colonial differencies in April 1904.

The Schlieffen Plan was drawn up for an attack on France through Belgium in December 1905.

Between January and April 1906 Britain and France held military talks at the Algeciras conference which settled the first Morroco crisis,Britain considered sending an expeditionary force to the continent.

1907 The Germans rejected any disarmament schemes at the second peace conference at the hague between June and October.

The triple alliance was renewed for a further 6 years in July.

Britain and Russia signed a convention which led to the Triple Entente with France also in July 1907.

Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina,ended their gentlemans agreement with Russia,that both would maintain the status quo in the Balkans,The annexation inflamed Serbian Nationalism IN october 1908.

The Agadir crisis was peacefully resolved between France and Germany between June and December 1911,During the crisis Britain made preperations for war.

Haldane went to Berlin and failed in an effort to end the Naval race between Britain and Germany in February 1912.

Germany introduced it's third Naval law in march 1912.

The first Balkan War led to Russia and Austria-Hungary mobilising but the crisis subsided when Russia withdrew its support for Serbian territorial claims, in october 1912.

1913 June Germany introduces a new tax to finance the doubling of their armies.

The french increase military service from two years to three years in August.

The second balkan war was ended by the treaty of constantinople in september.

1914

(June 28th) Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand was assasinated in Sarajevo.

(July 23rd) Austria-Hungary sent Serbia an ultimatum.

(24th July) Russia decide to defend Serbia against Austria-Hungary.

(July 25th) Austria-hungary assured Russia that no Serbian land would be annexed;Austria-Hungary did not accept the Serbian repy to its ultimatum and ordered mobilisation against Serbia.

(26th July) Germany and Austria-hungary reject Greys suggestion for an international conference to settle the Austria-hungary / Serbian dispute.

(July 28th) Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

(30th July) Russia began mobilisation.

(July 31st) Germany sent Russia an ultimatum to stop all military movement on the Russian/German border.

(1st August) Having recieved no reply from Russia regarding the ultimatum,Germany declare war on Russia.

(August 3rd) Germany declared war on France and initiating the Schlieffen Plan, invaded Belgium. Italy announced that she would remain neutral.

(3rd August) Britain declared war on Germany.

(August 6TH) Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia; Serbia declared war on Germany.

(8TH August) Montenegro declared war on Germany.