Prussia unified the German states and established itself as the dominant power in Europe. Germany then began building alliances, first with Austria-Hungary in the Dual Alliance of 1879, and later with Italy in the Triple Alliance of 1882. However, tensions grew as Germany decided not to renew its Reinsurance Treaty with Russia in 1890. This document provides a timeline of major political, military, and social events in Europe and globally between 1871 and 1914 that established alliances and tensions leading up to World War 1.

1. Pre-
1871 1879
JANUARY OCTOBER
Prussia and the other
German states are unified
as a single nation.
Wilhelm I of Prussia
Dual Alliance signed
between Germany and
Austria-Hungary
1914
becomes Kaiser (Emperor)
of Germany, with Prince Otto
von Bismarck as Chancellor .
1882 1887 1888
MAY JUNE JUNE
Italy joins Germany and Known as ‘The Reinsurance 29-year-old Wilhelm II
Austria-Hungary to form Treaty’, a pact is signed succeeds his father as Kaiser
the Triple Alliance between Germany and of Germany
Russia agreeing not to attack
one another
1890 1894 1898
MARCH JUNE January NOVEMBER MARCH APRIL–AUGUST
Bismarck dismissed as Germany decides not to Alliance signed between Nicholas II becomes Germany passes its first law Spanish-American War.
Chancellor of Germany renew ‘The Reinsurance France and Russia Tsar of Russia to build large numbers of USA defeats Spain, taking
by Kaiser Wilhelm II Treaty’ with Russia warships. This challenge control of Cuba, Puerto Rico
to Britain’s long-standing and the Philippines, and
naval supremacy begins an becoming a major player
arms race between the two on the world stage.
countries. Other laws for the
building of more ships follow
in later years.
1899–1901 1899–1902
Uprising in China by the Anglo-Boer War. After a
‘Boxers’, a nationalist group long struggle, Britain
seeking to end foreign re-establishes control over
domination of the country the Boers in South Africa.
1901 1902 1903
JANUARY DECEMBER JANUARY OCTOBER
Queen Victoria dies. Guglielmo Marconi sends Anglo-Japanese Alliance Women’s Social and Political
Edward VII becomes King the first message across signed, ending Britain’s years Union formed in Manchester
of Great Britain and Ireland. the Atlantic using wireless of ‘splendid isolation’ under the leadership of
telegraphy Emmeline and Christabel
Pankhurst. Begins a militant
campaign for women’s right
to vote.
1904 1904–1905
APRIL JUNE–OCTOBER
Known as the ‘Entente Systematic killing of the Russo-Japanese War
Cordiale’, a political Herero and Nama people by in Manchuria. Japan
understanding is reached the German Army in German defeats Russia.
between Britain and France South-West Africa, the first
ending years of tension recognised genocide of the
and mistrust twentieth century
1905 1906 1907
JANUARY DECEMBER FEBRUARY AUGUST
Revolution in Russia Liberal Party wins the British Britain launches a Anglo-Russian Entente
is fiercely crushed by general election and forms a revolutionary new battleship, announced, demonstrating a
government troops, government led by Sir Henry HMS Dreadnought. Naval new political understanding
but leads to limited Campbell-Bannerman rivalry with Germany between Britain and Russia
political reforms intensifies.
1908 1909
APRIL OCTOBER JULY
Herbert Henry Asquith Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Frenchman Louis Blériot
replaces Sir Henry Balkans is formally annexed makes the first successful
Campbell-Bannerman as by Austria-Hungary cross-channel flight in an
British prime minister aeroplane, vindicating the
Daily Mail’s claim three years
earlier, ‘Britain No Longer
An Island’
1910 1911 1912
MAY DECEMBER APRIL
King Edward VII dies. George V crowned Emperor Asquith introduces the Third
George V becomes King of India at the Delhi Durbar Home Rule Bill into the
of Great Britain and Ireland. British parliament, offering
limited self-government to
Ireland within the United
Kingdom. Nationalist and
Unionist tensions slowly
grow within the country.
SS Titanic sinks after striking
an iceberg in the northern
Atlantic. Over 1500 people
lose their lives.
1912–1913 1913 1914
MARCH JUNE MARCH
First Balkan War. Turkey Woodrow Wilson sworn in Second Balkan War begins. Asquith’s Home Rule Bill
loses most of its remaining as the 28th President of the Further outbreak of fighting threatened when British
European territory. United States in the Balkans which lasts officers, serving at the
until August. Curragh camp in Ireland,
threaten to resign rather
than enforce home rule in
Ireland
Military events
Naval events
Aviation events
Political events
Social events