TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Pre-war page
June 1815
November 15, 1831
April 19, 1839
August 9-11, 1870
October 7, 1879
June 18, 1881
May 20, 1882
June 18, 1887
Congress of Vienna, meeting to reestablish the European balance of power
after the defeat of Napoleon, establishes Switzerland as a Federation and
guarantees its independence and permanent neutrality.
Great powers (Austria, France, Great Britain, Prussia, and Russia)
assembled at the London Conference grant Belgium its independence from
the Netherlands (after Belgium had rebelled against the union established
since the Congress of Vienna); Belgium is declared a neutral state to
prevent it from being annexed by one of the powers
Great powers guarantee the perpetual neutrality and territorial inviolability
of Belgium as established in 1831 and bind Belgium, against its will, to
observe such neutrality toward all other states
France and Germany separately conclude treaties with Great Britain that
supplement but do not invalidate the 1839 Treaty; France and Germany
promise to respect Belgian neutrality during the Franco-Prussian War,
provided the other does as well, and Great Britain promises to defend
Belgium against whichever state might violate its neutrality
Austria-Hungary and Germany sign the secret Dual Alliance, a defensive
alliance by which each side promises its full assistance in case of war with
Russia; the parties also promise benevolent neutrality with respect to either
side’s war with a power other than Russia
Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia secretly form the Three Emperors'
League, an attempt to bring Russia into the Dual Alliance; the parties
promise benevolent neutrality towards any state’s war with a fourth power;
and to avoid discord between them, each side promises to respect the
interests of the others in the Balkans and to come to common agreement on
any modifications in the territorial status quo of Turkey
Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy secretly sign the defensive Triple
Alliance, mutually promising peace and friendship and promising not to
enter into any alliance or engagement directed against any one of their
States; Austria-Hungary and Germany promise to aid Italy if she is attacked
without direct provocation by France, and similarly, if any signatory is
attacked by two or more other powers, the other two signatories will be
bound to give full assistance
Reinsurance Treaty between Russia and Germany replaces the expired
Three Emperors' League; the parties reaffirm their desire to strengthen the
general peace between them, and again bind themselves to benevolent
neutrality toward any war with a third power
August 18, 1892
May-July, 1899
Oct.-Dec., 1901
April 8, 1904
April 30, 1905
1905
June 15, 1907
August 31, 1907
April 1912
December 5, 1912
February 5, 1913
France and Russia secretly sign the Franco-Russian Alliance Military
Convention, a defensive alliance designed to preserve the peace by
deterring the Triple Alliance from any hostilities against either France or
Russia; each side promises to mobilize as soon as any Triple Alliance state
mobilizes and to employ all its available forces against Germany in the
event Germany (directly or through an ally) attacks the other
First Hague Peace Conference takes place, ending with the signature of
July 29, 1899 of the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of
International Disputes and the Convention with Respect to the Laws
and Customs of War on Land (entry into force: September 4, 1900)
Anglo-German alliance negotiations break down; Germany had been trying
to bring Great Britain into the Triple Alliance, to further isolate France in
the European balance of power politics; but competing British and German
interests were too difficult to reconcile
Great Britain and France sign the Entente Cordiale, a simple settlement of
colonial differences in Egypt and Morocco and an agreement to cooperate
on certain issues in North Africa; the rapprochement brought about by this
Entente would later become the basis for increased cooperation and
consultation between the two powers
Military staffs of Great Britain and France engage in conversations as a
result of the Morocco Crisis, a heightening of tensions brought about by
Germany’s attempt to humiliate France and weaken the Entente Cordiale;
Germany’s ploy backfired, though, as the crisis led to further cooperation
between France and Great Britain
General Schlieffen comes up with his plan to attack France via Belgium;
since Germany would face a two-front war, the move through Belgium
would allow the Germans to avoid the heavy French fortresses, securing a
quick victory in the west (42 days was the projected delay) before moving
all the troops east to face the Russian giant
Second Hague Peace Conference opens and is signed on October 18,
1907 (entry into force: January 26, 1910); this conference produced
many more conventions, relating to laws of war, rights and duties of
neutral powers in naval war and war on land, conversion of merchant
ships into war ships, laying of anti-submarine mines, and others
Great Britain and Russia improve relations and agree to Anglo-Russian
Entente; very similar to the Entente Cordiale, the two sides merely settle
their differences with regard to Persia in order to prevent conflict between
them, making no reference to cooperation or support for any other issues
France and Great Britain conclude a naval agreement by which France
concentrates her fleet in the Mediterranean, and Britain will protect
France’s northern coastline
Triple Alliance is renewed for the third time, extended by an agreement that
in all cases of common participation in a war, the parties will not conclude
any armistice, peace, or treaty, except by common agreement among
themselves; the treaty also states that if Italy would find itself at war with
France to protect its colonial interests in the Mediterranean, AustriaHungary and Germany would be obligated to assist Italy against France
Austria-Hungary and Romania extend their defensive alliance treaty of July
25, 1892, and commit to maintain mutual peace and friendship between
them; they agree not to enter into any contrary agreement or alliance, and
if either side is attacked, the other promises to provide its full assistance
1914 page
June 28
July 5
July 19
July 23
July 24
July 25
July 26
July 26
July 27
July 28
July 29
Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip, member of the rebel group Black Hand,
assassinates Austro-Hungarian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife at
Sarajevo
Kaiser Wilhelm II issues "blank check" to Austria-Hungary, authorizing Vienna to
make harsh demands on Serbia, and promising Germany’s "full support," even if
“matters went to the length of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia.”
Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council approves ultimatum on Serbia; sends text to
Berlin for review on July 21
Austro-Hungarian ultimatum delivered to Serbia, alleging that the assassination of
Archduke Ferdinand was ordered from Belgrade, and mandating that the Serbian
government no longer tolerate the separatist actions of its people (and particularly
the Black Hand) toward the Austro-Hungarian monarchy; to that end, AustriaHungary demands that Serbia take serious measures to suppress any propaganda
that may incite opposition to the monarchy
Austria-Hungary informs France, Russia and Britain of ultimatum; British Foreign
Minister Grey makes first proposal to mediate the situation; Russian Council of
Ministers considers partial mobilization
Serbia responds to the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum, denying any government
involvement in the Sarajevo assassination, but promising its cooperation with all
the other demands of the ultimatum; Vienna breaks off diplomatic relations with
Belgrade; Grey again proposes mediation; Russian Tsar Nicholas II orders
preparations for mobilization to be made
Russia asks Germany to exert moderating influence on Austria-Hungary; Grey
proposes Four-Power conference of ambassadors in London; Austria mobilizes on
Russian frontier; France takes precautionary military measures
German General Moltke first drafts ultimatum to Belgium demanding free passage,
then sending it to the German ambassador in Brussels, who is directed to hold it
under seal until further instructions arrive
Austria-Hungary decides to declare war on Serbia; France accepts Grey's
proposals to mediate; German Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg rejects idea of FourPower conference
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, declaring that Serbia’s response to its
ultimatum was unsatisfactory; Kaiser appeals to Tsar's monarchical solidarity in
allowing Austria-Hungary to punish the rebel assassins and preserve the
monarchy; Russia orders mobilization of four western military districts; Grey still
hopes that Austria-Hungary and Russia can be brought to negotiate
Vienna refuses to enter into negotiations with Serbia; bombs Belgrade; Germany is
informed of Russian partial mobilization; Germany warns Russia; Moltke demands
general mobilization; Bethmann Hollweg attempts to keep Britain neutral; Grey
tells German Ambassador Lichnowsky that Britain could not remain neutral in a
continental war; Grey again proposes mediation; Russia orders general
mobilization, then Tsar revokes the order that same evening; Tsar Nicholas
appeals to Kaiser to restrain his allies in the name of peace
July 30
July 31
August 1
August 2
August 2
August 3
August 3
August 4
August 4
August 5
August 6
August 12
August 14
August 19
September 4
Austria-Hungary agrees to negotiations with Russia but refuses to delay operations
against Serbia; Moltke presses for general mobilization; Austria-Hungary orders
general mobilization for July 31; Russian general mobilization ordered for July 31
Austria-Hungary rejects international conference and mobilizes; Russian general
mobilization becomes known in Berlin at noon; Kaiser proclaims "state of
imminent war" one hour later; Germany refuses to mediate and issues ultimatum to
Russia; French Ministerial Council orders mobilization for August 1
German ultimatum to Russia expires; Germany declares war on Russia, alleging
that Russia’s decision to mobilize while Germany was trying to mediate between
the Austro-Hungarian and Serbian governments provoked this measure, and that
Germany had no choice but to protect itself; Germany mobilizes; Belgium
mobilizes
Germany requests free passage through Belgium, alleging discovery of a French
plan to invade Belgium; given that Belgium cannot defend itself, Germany claims
the necessity to anticipate the French attack; but Germany promises to restore
Belgian neutrality at the conclusion of hostilities, hoping that Belgium will
maintain friendly neutrality toward the German advance; if it does not, however,
Germany will consider it an enemy
German troops occupy Luxembourg; Germany and Turkey sign a secret treaty of
alliance: Turkey pledges its neutrality with regard to the conflict between AustriaHungary and Serbia, but if Russia intervenes militarily, both Germany and Turkey
bind themselves to defend Austria-Hungary; furthermore, Germany binds itself to
defend the Ottoman Empire in the event it is threatened
Belgium refuses German request for free passage, defending its strict adherence to
the neutrality status, denying the allegation of France’s intention to invade the
territory, and declaring Germany’s proposed advance a flagrant violation of
international law; German troops invade anyway; Grey goes to Parliament to ask
for its support for war
Germany declares war on France; Italy declares its neutrality, citing the defensive
nature of the Triple Alliance treaty, and arguing that Austria-Hungary’s actions
with regard to Serbia make it the aggressor, thus relieving Italy of the treaty
obligation to provide its assistance; Britain mobilizes army; Cabinet decides to
issue ultimatum to Germany
Germany declares war on Belgium; troops invade Belgium en masse; BethmannHollweg speaks to Reichstag defending the necessity of invading Belgium; British
ultimatum transmitted to Berlin
British ultimatum expires at midnight; British Ambassador asks for passport
Britain at war with Germany; Serbia declares war on Germany
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
Great Britain and France declare war on Austria-Hungary; Austria invades Serbia
An agitated Bethmann-Hollweg utters “scrap of paper” phrase to British
Ambassador in Berlin, alleging that Britain was going to war against a friendly
nation just because of a word, “neutrality, a word which in war time had so often
been disregarded”
President Wilson's declares U.S. Neutrality, calling all Americans to put aside the
partisanship that arises from taking sides and instead to be neutral in spirit and in
fact
Triple Entente Allies declare they will not conclude a separate peace, nor will they
demand terms of peace without the prior agreement of the Allies
October
October 29
October 30
November 1
November 2
November 5
Germany discovers Anglo-Belgian military conversations in Brussels archives
Turkey declares war on Allies
Russia and Britain send ultimatums to Turkey
Britain and France commence hostilities against Turkey; Russia declares war
against Turkey
Serbia declares war on Turkey
Britain and France declare war on Turkey
Post-1914 page
April 26, 1915
May 23, 1915
August 27, 1916
August 28, 1916
August 30, 1916
September 1, 1916
Italians sign Secret Treaty of London after having been promised territorial
gains at the hands of Austria-Hungary; Italy thus joins the Entente Allies
despite their Triple Alliance treaty obligation not to make any contrary
agreement or alliance
Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
Romania declares war on Austria-Hungary; Italy declares war on Germany
Germany declares war on Romania
Turkey declares war on Romania
Bulgaria declares war on Romania