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[[Main_Page | WWI Document Archive ]] > [[Pre - 1914 Documents]] > '''Timeline of Events'''
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Timeline of Events, 1870-1914
Timeline of Events, 1870-1914
Go to World War I Document Archive Primary Documents, Pre - 1914




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1898 9 September - Kitchener starts for Fashoda <br>
1898 9 September - Kitchener starts for Fashoda <br>
1898 22 September - Battle of Gedaref <br>
1898 22 September - Battle of Gedaref <br>
1898 24 September - Kitchener returns from Fashoda  
1898 24 September - Kitchener returns from Fashoda<br>
1898 October - Wilhem II pays second visit to Ottoman Empire and suggests building the Bagdad railway<br>  
1898 October - Wilhem II pays second visit to Ottoman Empire and suggests building the Bagdad railway<br>  
1898 November - Spanish American War ends with Treaty of Paris; U.S. gains Philipines, the Sulus, and Guam in return for payment of $20 million to Spain; Cuban independance <br>
1898 November - Spanish American War ends with Treaty of Paris; U.S. gains Philipines, the Sulus, and Guam in return for payment of $20 million to Spain; Cuban independance <br>
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1900<br><br>  
1900<br><br>  
Return to Timeline Search Page  
Return to Timeline Search Page<br>
Go to World War I Document Archive Primary Documents, Pre - 1914


1900 January - 'Bunderesrath' Affair  
1900 January - 'Bunderesrath' Affair<br>
1900 29 July - King Humbert of Italy assasinated by Bresci (Italian anarchist); Victor Emmanuel III becomes king  
1900 29 July - King Humbert of Italy assasinated by Bresci (Italian anarchist); Victor Emmanuel III becomes king<br>
1900 February - Relief of Ladysmith  
1900 February - Relief of Ladysmith<br>
1900 8 March - Landsdowne asks Germany to join Britain in imposing on France a localization of any Russo-Japanese War  
1900 8 March - Landsdowne asks Germany to join Britain in imposing on France a localization of any Russo-Japanese War<br>
1900 May - Relief of Mafeking  
1900 May - Relief of Mafeking<br>
1900 Spring-Summer - Peasant uprisings in China leading to Boxer Rebellion  
1900 Spring-Summer - Peasant uprisings in China leading to Boxer Rebellion<br>
1900 14 June - Reichstag accepts Second Navy Law as proposed by Tirpitz (supplementals in 1906, 1908, and 1912)  
1900 14 June - Reichstag accepts Second Navy Law as proposed by Tirpitz (supplementals in 1906, 1908, and 1912)<br>
1900 June-August - Boxer Rebellion spreads  
1900 June-August - Boxer Rebellion spreads<br>
1900 1 October - Churchill elected to Parliament by a margin of 22 votes during the "Khaki Election"  
1900 1 October - Churchill elected to Parliament by a margin of 22 votes during the "Khaki Election"<br>
1900 16 October - Anglo-German agreement over China  
1900 16 October - Anglo-German agreement over China<br>
1900 17 October - Bülow becomes Reich Chancellor (till 14 Jul 1909)  
1900 17 October - Bülow becomes Reich Chancellor (till 14 Jul 1909)<br>
1900 December - Delcassé offers Italians pledge that that French would not encroach in Tripoli  
1900 December - Delcassé offers Italians pledge that that French would not encroach in Tripoli<br>
1900 31 December - Murder of English missionary in China  
1900 31 December - Murder of English missionary in China<br>


1901  
1901 <br><br>


1901 - Germans develop plans for the submarine U-1  
1901 - Germans develop plans for the submarine U-1<br>
1901 20 January - Kaiser Wilhelm arrives in London to visit Queen Victoria as she was dying  
1901 20 January - Kaiser Wilhelm arrives in London to visit Queen Victoria as she was dying<br>
1901 22 January - Death of Queen Victoria; Edward VII becomes King of Great Britain  
1901 22 January - Death of Queen Victoria; Edward VII becomes King of Great Britain<br>
1901 24 March - Japanese demand withdrawal of proposed agreement between Russia and China; Russians back off  
1901 24 March - Japanese demand withdrawal of proposed agreement between Russia and China; Russians back off<br>
1901 31 May - European troops begin landing in China to supress the Boxers  
1901 31 May - European troops begin landing in China to supress the Boxers<br>
1901 20 June - Siege of European legations by Boxers begins  
1901 20 June - Siege of European legations by Boxers begins<br>
1901 September - U.S. President McKinley shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, while attending Pan-American Exposition and dies eight days later  
1901 September - U.S. President McKinley shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, while attending Pan-American Exposition and dies eight days later<br>
1901 October-December - Collapse of Anglo-German alliance negotiations and also Russo-Japanese talks  
1901 October-December - Collapse of Anglo-German alliance negotiations and also Russo-Japanese talks<br>
1901 November - "British Foreign Policy;" article by "A.B.C." published in The National Review  
1901 November - "British Foreign Policy;" article by "A.B.C." published in The National Review <br>
1901 18 November - Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, providing the United States with powers of exclusive regulation and management for the proposed Panama Canal  
1901 18 November - Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, providing the United States with powers of exclusive regulation and management for the proposed Panama Canal<br>
1901 December - Oberst Alfred Redl begins spying on his government for the Russians  
1901 December - Oberst Alfred Redl begins spying on his government for the Russians <br>


1902  
1902<br><br>


1902 30 January - Anglo-Japanese Alliance formed giving Japanese greater prestige in Far East  
1902 30 January - Anglo-Japanese Alliance formed giving Japanese greater prestige in Far East<br>
1902 20 March - Franco-Russian declaration on China (intentions of Franco-Russian protectorate)  
1902 20 March - Franco-Russian declaration on China (intentions of Franco-Russian protectorate)<br>
1902 June - Fisher returns to the Admiralty as Second Sea Lord (staffing ships with officers and men)  
1902 June - Fisher returns to the Admiralty as Second Sea Lord (staffing ships with officers and men)<br>
1902 28 June - Triple Alliance renewed  
1902 28 June - Triple Alliance renewed<br>
1902 September - Turks allow Russians to send four torpedo-boats north through Starits of Mamarra renewing the "straits Question" and creates ending of the Mediterranean Entente  
1902 September - Turks allow Russians to send four torpedo-boats north through Starits of Mamarra renewing the "straits Question" and creates ending of the Mediterranean Entente<br>
1902 November - Franco-Spanish plans to divide Morrocco ruined by British meddling and exposure of treaty terms  
1902 November - Franco-Spanish plans to divide Morrocco ruined by British meddling and exposure of treaty terms <br>
1902 November - German discussions with Turks over Bagdad railway increase and military aid to Turkey begun  
1902 November - German discussions with Turks over Bagdad railway increase and military aid to Turkey begun <br>
1902 22 November - Friedrich Krupp suicides amid charges of homosexuality; business goes to his daughter Bertha  
1902 22 November - Friedrich Krupp suicides amid charges of homosexuality; business goes to his daughter Bertha<br>
1902 December - Widespread revolt in Turkey against Sultan Abdul Aziz marking; revolt suppressed but Sultan's power diminished afterwards  
1902 December - Widespread revolt in Turkey against Sultan Abdul Aziz marking; revolt suppressed but Sultan's power diminished afterwards<br>
1902 25 December - Reichstag accepts higher agricultural tarriffs  
1902 25 December - Reichstag accepts higher agricultural tarriffs<br>


1903  
1903<br><br>


1903 April - Bezobrazov becomes Sec. of State in Russia and his hard-line policies make Far  
1903 April - Bezobrazov becomes Sec. of State in Russia and his hard-line policies make Far  
Eastern compromise impossible; Japanese begin to see talks with Russians as futile  
Eastern compromise impossible; Japanese begin to see talks with Russians as futile<br>
1903 May - Edward VII visits Paris  
1903 May - Edward VII visits Paris<br>
1903 16 June - Reichstag elections with gains for S.P.D.  
1903 16 June - Reichstag elections with gains for S.P.D.<br>
1903 July - Loubet of France visits London  
1903 July - Loubet of France visits London <br>
1903 July until April 1904 Anglo-French talks settling territorial claims between the countries (Siam, Newfoundland, Egpyt, West Africa, Morrocco, etc) eventually leading to the British joining the Entente in April 1904  
1903 July until April 1904 Anglo-French talks settling territorial claims between the countries (Siam, Newfoundland, Egpyt, West Africa, Morrocco, etc) eventually leading to the British joining the Entente in April 1904 <br>
1903 15 August - Gen Karl v Einem becomes German Minister of War (till Aug. 1909)  
1903 15 August - Gen Karl v Einem becomes German Minister of War (till Aug. 1909)<br>


1904  
1904<br><br>


1904 Kaiser tells Leopold II of Belgium that a war between France and  
1904 Kaiser tells Leopold II of Belgium that a war between France and  
Germany would involve Belgium; during another visit in 1910, the Kaiser says otherwise)  
Germany would involve Belgium; during another visit in 1910, the Kaiser says otherwise)<br>
1904 4 February - Russo-Japanese War begins; Japanese attack Port Arthur  
1904 4 February - Russo-Japanese War begins; Japanese attack Port Arthur<br>
1904 31 March - Kaiser makes his Tangier's speech and Morrocan problem  
1904 31 March - Kaiser makes his Tangier's speech and Morrocan problem<br>
1904 8 April - Entente Cordiale between France and Britain (sponsord by Landsdowne, Foreign Secretary, 1900-1905)  
1904 8 April - Entente Cordiale between France and Britain (sponsord by Landsdowne, Foreign Secretary, 1900-1905)<br>
1904 May - Fisher becomes First Sea Lord of the Admiralty (director of operations) till fall of 1906  
1904 May - Fisher becomes First Sea Lord of the Admiralty (director of operations) till fall of 1906<br>
1904 28 July - Russo-German commercial treaty signed  
1904 28 July - Russo-German commercial treaty signed<br>
1904 3 October - French and Spanish agreement on Morrocco and city of Fez  
1904 3 October - French and Spanish agreement on Morrocco and city of Fez<br>
1904 3 October (till 1908) Herrero and Hottentot insurrection in German South-West Africa  
1904 3 October (till 1908) Herrero and Hottentot insurrection in German South-West Africa <br>
1904 21 October - Dogger Bank Incident (Russian fleet fires on British fishing-vessels)  
1904 21 October - Dogger Bank Incident (Russian fleet fires on British fishing-vessels)<br>
1904 November - Theodore Roosevelt elected President of the United States  
1904 November - Theodore Roosevelt elected President of the United States<br>
1904 23 November - Russo-German alliance negotiations following Dogger Bank incident break-down  
1904 23 November - Russo-German alliance negotiations following Dogger Bank incident break-down<br>


1905  
1905<br><br>


1905 22 January -Russian procession to Winter Palace attacked by troops and police (Bloody Sunday)  
1905 22 January -Russian procession to Winter Palace attacked by troops and police (Bloody Sunday)<br>
1905 1 February - German commercial treaties with Russia and Austria-Hungary ratified mid-February Grand Duke Serge assasinated in Moscow  
1905 1 February - German commercial treaties with Russia and Austria-Hungary ratified mid-February Grand Duke Serge assasinated in Moscow <br>
1905 31 March - Wilhelm II visits Tangiers (concurrent with this, the British General Staff was holding theoretical war games on maps -- assuming the Germans might invade France through Belgium)  
1905 31 March - Wilhelm II visits Tangiers (concurrent with this, the British General Staff was holding theoretical war games on maps -- assuming the Germans might invade France through Belgium)<br>
1905 William Haywood and others found the International Workers of the World ('Wobblies')  
1905 William Haywood and others found the International Workers of the World ('Wobblies')<br>
1905 30 April - Anglo-French military conversations begin  
1905 30 April - Anglo-French military conversations begin<br>
1905 27 May - Battle of Tsushima (Russian Navy routed)  
1905 27 May - Battle of Tsushima (Russian Navy routed)<br>
1905 6 June - Declassé falls from power  
1905 6 June - Declassé falls from power<br>
1905 23 July - Treaty of Björkö  
1905 23 July - Treaty of Björkö<br>
1905 28 September - Morocco Conference agreed  
1905 28 September - Morocco Conference agreed<br>
1905 5 October - H.M.S. Dreadnought keel laid down  
1905 5 October - H.M.S. Dreadnought keel laid down <br>
1905 October - (middle) Russia affected by a general strike  
1905 October - (middle) Russia affected by a general strike<br>
1905 30 October - Tsar issues Imperial Manifesto creating a semi-constituional monarchy  
1905 30 October - Tsar issues Imperial Manifesto creating a semi-constituional monarchy<br>
1905 1 November - Rasputin first meets the Romanov family  
1905 1 November - Rasputin first meets the Romanov family<br>
1905 December - Schlieffen plan developed  
1905 December - Schlieffen plan developed<br>
1905 December - Churchill becomes under secreatry in British Colonial Office  
1905 December - Churchill becomes under secreatry in British Colonial Office <br>
1905 5 December - Campbell-Bannerman forms Liberal ministry  
1905 5 December - Campbell-Bannerman forms Liberal ministry<br>


1906  
1906<br><br>


1906 1 January - Moltke succeds Schlieffen as Chief of German General Staff (till 14  
1906 1 January - Moltke succeds Schlieffen as Chief of German General Staff (till 14  
Septeber 1914)  
Septeber 1914)<br>
1906 12 January Landslide victory of Liberals in British elections  
1906 12 January Landslide victory of Liberals in British elections<br>
1906 16 January Algerciras Conference opens  
1906 16 January Algerciras Conference opens<br>
1906 31 January Anglo-French military conversations authorized by Grey (who at this time thinks England has a moral obligation to France against Germany); Wilson sent to France; Cabinet not informed of these talks until 1911  
1906 31 January Anglo-French military conversations authorized by Grey (who at this time thinks England has a moral obligation to France against Germany); Wilson sent to France; Cabinet not informed of these talks until 1911<br>
1906 March - London Daily Mail begins serializing "The Invasion of 1910" by William Le Queux (plot: Germans invade England and win); the story is made into a play that ran for 18 months  
1906 March - London Daily Mail begins serializing "The Invasion of 1910" by William Le Queux (plot: Germans invade England and win); the story is made into a play that ran for 18 months<br>
1906 5 April - Bülow has heart attack in Reichstag and is unable to work for several months  
1906 5 April - Bülow has heart attack in Reichstag and is unable to work for several months<br>
1906 8 April - Algecrias Act signed  
1906 8 April - Algecrias Act signed<br>
1906 1 May beginning of Eulenberg scandal in German (Kaiser's close friend accused of homosexuality); accusations by Hardin  
1906 1 May beginning of Eulenberg scandal in German (Kaiser's close friend accused of homosexuality); accusations by Hardin<br>
1906 May - Tax reform passes Reichstag  
1906 May - Tax reform passes Reichstag <br>
1906 May - Russian Duma meets for the first time  
1906 May - Russian Duma meets for the first time<br>
1906 5 June - Third German Navy Law (Novelle 1906) ratified  
1906 5 June - Third German Navy Law (Novelle 1906) ratified<br>
1906 7 July - Tsar asks Stolypin to become Prime Minister and shortly thereafter he dissolves the Duma  
1906 7 July - Tsar asks Stolypin to become Prime Minister and shortly thereafter he dissolves the Duma <br>
1906 August - Bertha Krupp marries Gustav (Krupp) von Bohlen und Halbach, he taking part of her surname to maintain firm's continuity  
1906 August - Bertha Krupp marries Gustav (Krupp) von Bohlen und Halbach, he taking part of her surname to maintain firm's continuity<br>
1906 8 September - Churchill meets the Kaiser while undersecretary at Colonial Office, discussing German colonial affairs in southern Africa  
1906 8 September - Churchill meets the Kaiser while undersecretary at Colonial Office, discussing German colonial affairs in southern Africa <br>
1906 13 December - Bülow dissolves Reichstag  
1906 13 December - Bülow dissolves Reichstag<br><br>


1907  
1907<br><br>


1907 (Sinn Féin founded in Dublin)  
1907 (Sinn Féin founded in Dublin)<br>
1907 1 January Eyre Crowe's (British Foreign Office) memorandum on English interest in preserving balance of power and joining 2nd most powerful country in Europe (France); comments on German foreign policy and confrontation possible  
1907 1 January Eyre Crowe's (British Foreign Office) memorandum on English interest in preserving balance of power and joining 2nd most powerful country in Europe (France); comments on German foreign policy and confrontation possible
February - Russian Second Duma meets for the first time; dissolved three months later by the Tsar  
February - Russian Second Duma meets for the first time; dissolved three months later by the Tsar  
1907 25 January Reichstag elections  
1907 25 January Reichstag elections<br>
1907 February - Bülow Bloc formed  
1907 February - Bülow Bloc formed<br>
1907 April - Eulenberg scandal spreads, Hardin accuses three of the Kaiser's aides-de-camp of homosexuality  
1907 April - Eulenberg scandal spreads, Hardin accuses three of the Kaiser's aides-de-camp of homosexuality<br>
1907 15 June - Second Hague Peace Conference Opens  
1907 15 June - Second Hague Peace Conference Opens<br>
1907 30 July - Russo-Japanese War ends; Russia begins focusing on Balkans instead of Far East for influence peddling  
1907 30 July - Russo-Japanese War ends; Russia begins focusing on Balkans instead of Far East for influence peddling<br>
1907 31 August - Anglo-Russian Entente; agreement over Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet  
1907 31 August - Anglo-Russian Entente; agreement over Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet<br>
1907 23 October - Trial of Hardin (Moltke-Hardin trial) for libel begins in Berlin (dropped on technicality); Kaiser upset by trial and implications  
1907 23 October - Trial of Hardin (Moltke-Hardin trial) for libel begins in Berlin (dropped on technicality); Kaiser upset by trial and implications<br>
1907 11 November - Kaiser reluctantly vists England during Eulenberg scandal and interviewed by Haldane of the Daily Telegraph  
1907 11 November - Kaiser reluctantly vists England during Eulenberg scandal and interviewed by Haldane of the Daily Telegraph<br><br>


1908  
1908<br><br>


1908 3 January Hardin's second trial ends with a conviction for libel; ordered to prison but set  
1908 3 January Hardin's second trial ends with a conviction for libel; ordered to prison but set  
free on bond  
free on bond<br>
1908 16 February - Wilhelm II writes to Lord Tweedmouth  
1908 16 February - Wilhelm II writes to Lord Tweedmouth<br>
1908 8 April - Asquith becomes Prime Minister and shortly after Churchill is part of Cabinet  
1908 8 April - Asquith becomes Prime Minister and shortly after Churchill is part of Cabinet<br>
1908 8 June - Eulenberg charged with perjury in Hardin case and arrested  
1908 8 June - Eulenberg charged with perjury in Hardin case and arrested<br>
1908 14 June - Fourth German Navy Law (Novelle 1908) ratified  
1908 14 June - Fourth German Navy Law (Novelle 1908) ratified<br>
1908 29 June - Hardin's second libel trial begins but is suspended in September, resumed the summer of 1909 and then postponed indefinitely again due to Eulenberg being too ill to stand trial  
1908 29 June - Hardin's second libel trial begins but is suspended in September, resumed the summer of 1909 and then postponed indefinitely again due to Eulenberg being too ill to stand trial <br>
1908 July - Young Turks come to power and offer to become allies with Britain but are rebuked by Churchill  
1908 July - Young Turks come to power and offer to become allies with Britain but are rebuked by Churchill<br>
1908 2 July - Izvolski of Russia offers to support Austria annexation of Bosnia and Hercegovina if Austria would support Russian intentions on the "Straits"  
1908 2 July - Izvolski of Russia offers to support Austria annexation of Bosnia and Hercegovina if Austria would support Russian intentions on the "Straits" <br>
1908 12-13 August - Hardinge visits Wilhelm II at Kronberg  
1908 12-13 August - Hardinge visits Wilhelm II at Kronberg<br>
1908 19 August - Austrian Government decides to annex Bosnia and Hercegovina  
1908 19 August - Austrian Government decides to annex Bosnia and Hercegovina<br>
1908 15 September - Meeting at Buchlau (Buchlov) between Izvolski and Aehrenthal (of Austria) to discuss Balkans and Straits  
1908 15 September - Meeting at Buchlau (Buchlov) between Izvolski and Aehrenthal (of Austria) to discuss Balkans and Straits<br>
1908 2 October - Details of Buchlau Agreement given to Russian Council of Ministers; Council upset  
1908 2 October - Details of Buchlau Agreement given to Russian Council of Ministers; Council upset<br>
1908 5 October - Bulgaria declares itself independant of Turkey  
1908 5 October - Bulgaria declares itself independant of Turkey<br>
1908 6 October - Austria proclaims annexation of Bosnia and Hercgovina; Izvolsky feels humiliiated following blunt German diplomatic rebuttals that follow  
1908 6 October - Austria proclaims annexation of Bosnia and Hercgovina; Izvolsky feels humiliiated following blunt German diplomatic rebuttals that follow<br>
1908 6 October - Haldane's Daily Telegraph publishes interview with Kaiser  
1908 6 October - Haldane's Daily Telegraph publishes interview with Kaiser<br>
1908 28 October - Daily Telegraph interview of Wilhelm II published creates backlash in Germany  
1908 28 October - Daily Telegraph interview of Wilhelm II published creates backlash in Germany<br>
1908 10-11 November - Reichstag debates on Daily Telegraph Affair  
1908 10-11 November - Reichstag debates on Daily Telegraph Affair<br><br>


1909  
1909<br><br>


1909 January Conrad (of Austria) writes Moltke asking what Germany would do if Austria attacked Serbia and Russians intervened over Bosnia  
1909 January Conrad (of Austria) writes Moltke asking what Germany would do if Austria attacked Serbia and Russians intervened over Bosnia <br>
1909 21 January Moltke writes Conrad, replying if Russia mobilizes, Germany will as well, using Bosnia as justification  
1909 21 January Moltke writes Conrad, replying if Russia mobilizes, Germany will as well, using Bosnia as justification <br>
1909 9 February - H.M.S. Dreadnaught launched  
1909 9 February - H.M.S. Dreadnaught launched<br>
1909 9 Februrary Franco-German Agreement over Morocco recognizing French political and German economic rights there  
1909 9 Februrary Franco-German Agreement over Morocco recognizing French political and German economic rights there<br>
1909 26 February - French Ambassador to Russia tells Russian Government that the Bosnian situation should not be any of Russia or France's concern  
1909 26 February - French Ambassador to Russia tells Russian Government that the Bosnian situation should not be any of Russia or France's concern <br>
1909 12 March - British Navy bill accepted after "Navy Scare"  
1909 12 March - British Navy bill accepted after "Navy Scare"<br>
1909 24 March - Collapse of Bülow Bloc  
1909 24 March - Collapse of Bülow Bloc<br>
1909 12 June - Hansabund founded  
1909 12 June - Hansabund founded <br>
1909 24 June - Bülow tax reform bill defeated  
1909 24 June - Bülow tax reform bill defeated<br>
1909 14 July - Theobold v Bethmann-Hollweg becomes German Chancellor (till July 1917)  
1909 14 July - Theobold v Bethmann-Hollweg becomes German Chancellor (till July 1917)<br>
1909 25 July - Louis Bleriot first man to fly across the Channel from France to England  
1909 25 July - Louis Bleriot first man to fly across the Channel from France to England<br>
1909 11 August - von Herringen becomes German Minister of War (till 7 Jun 1913)  
1909 11 August - von Herringen becomes German Minister of War (till 7 Jun 1913)<br>
1909 December - British General Wilson visits Foch and listens to lectures followed by private talks; invites Foch to London; Wilson tours Franco-German border for 10 days by train and bicycle and concludes Germans would invade France through Belgium  
1909 December - British General Wilson visits Foch and listens to lectures followed by private talks; invites Foch to London; Wilson tours Franco-German border for 10 days by train and bicycle and concludes Germans would invade France through Belgium<br><br>


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1910  
1910<br>
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Return to Timeline Search Page  


1910 January General Wilson goes back to France and revisits Foch in Paris for further talks; Foch visits Wilson and General Staff in London later in the year. (Wilson asks Foch what the smallest British military force that would be of value to France if Germany attacked, prompting the reply of "one British soldier")  
1910 January General Wilson goes back to France and revisits Foch in Paris for further talks; Foch visits Wilson and General Staff in London later in the year. (Wilson asks Foch what the smallest British military force that would be of value to France if Germany attacked, prompting the reply of "one British soldier")<br>
1910 15 January British general elections  
1910 15 January British general elections<br>
1910 14 February - Churchill becomes Home Secretary  
1910 14 February - Churchill becomes Home Secretary <br>
1910 6 May - Edward VII dies suddenly and succeeded by George V  
1910 6 May - Edward VII dies suddenly and succeeded by George V<br>
1910 27 May - Reform of Prussian three-class voting system fails  
1910 27 May - Reform of Prussian three-class voting system fails<br><br>


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1911  
1911<br>
Go to World War I Document Archive Primary Documents, Pre - 1914
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Return to Timeline Search Page  


1911 9 February - Churchill speech declaring British fleet a necessity and a German fleet a luxury  
1911 9 February - Churchill speech declaring British fleet a necessity and a German fleet a luxury  
1911 March - British plans for B.E.F. mobilization in event of British intervention in general contintental war ready (schedule of mobilization)  
1911 March - British plans for B.E.F. mobilization in event of British intervention in general contintental war ready (schedule of mobilization)<br>
1911 21 May - French occupy Fez (Morocco)  
1911 21 May - French occupy Fez (Morocco)<br>
1911 30 June - Messiny named French War Minister  
1911 30 June - Messiny named French War Minister<br>
1911 July - during the Agasir crisis, Hoseph Cailloux (then French Premier) begins secret negotiations with the Germans concurrent with Cambon's public ones; these private negotiations are discovered by the French who have broken one of the German diplomatic codes (the "Green Dispatches") and Cailloux is forced to resign when Poincare is alerted to this information  
1911 July - during the Agasir crisis, Hoseph Cailloux (then French Premier) begins secret negotiations with the Germans concurrent with Cambon's public ones; these private negotiations are discovered by the French who have broken one of the German diplomatic codes (the "Green Dispatches") and Cailloux is forced to resign when Poincare is alerted to this information <br>
1911 1 July - Panther at port of Agadir  
1911 1 July - Panther at port of Agadir<br>
1911 July - Asquith appoints Chruchill to Cabinet's Committee of Imperial Defense (formed  
1911 July - Asquith appoints Chruchill to Cabinet's Committee of Imperial Defense (formed 1904)<br>
1904)  
1911 20 July - Dubail-Wilson agreement signed agreeing to British mobilization following intervention, specifiying 150,000 men and 67,000 horses to be landed at Havre, Boulogne and Rouen between 4th-12th day of mobilization and be sent to Mauberge region and ready for action on 13th day<br>
1911 20 July - Dubail-Wilson agreement signed agreeing to British mobilization following intervention, specifiying 150,000 men and 67,000 horses to be landed at Havre, Boulogne and Rouen between 4th-12th day of mobilization and be sent to Mauberge region and ready for action on 13th day  
1911 21 July - Lloyd George warns Germany in his "Mansion House speech", stiffening German opinion towards his ideas; speech primarily meant as support for the French; during "crisis" period British make some preparations for war against Germany<br>
1911 21 July - Lloyd George warns Germany in his "Mansion House speech", stiffening German opinion towards his ideas; speech primarily meant as support for the French; during "crisis" period British make some preparations for war against Germany  
1911 13 August - Churchill sends Asquith a memorandum analyzing a Euopean war in which Germany atacks France through Belgium and recommends use of British Army to aid France<br>
1911 13 August - Churchill sends Asquith a memorandum analyzing a Euopean war in which Germany atacks France through Belgium and recommends use of British Army to aid France  
1911 23 August - Asquith calls a secret meeting of Imperial Defense Committee asking for prepartion of war plans (Grey, Lloyd George and Churchill present among others) Gen. Henry Wilson discusses Anglo-French "plans" against German invasion of Belgium and France<br>
1911 23 August - Asquith calls a secret meeting of Imperial Defense Committee asking for prepartion of war plans (Grey, Lloyd George and Churchill present among others) Gen. Henry Wilson discusses Anglo-French "plans" against German invasion of Belgium and France  
1911 6 September - Stolypin assasinated in the Kiev Opera House in front of the Tsar<br>
1911 6 September - Stolypin assasinated in the Kiev Opera House in front of the Tsar  
1911 29 Spetember Tripoli War between Italy and Turkey begins<br>
1911 29 Spetember Tripoli War between Italy and Turkey begins  
1911 10 October - (until 1912) Chinese Revoltion begins at Wuhan<br>
1911 10 October - (until 1912) Chinese Revoltion begins at Wuhan  
1911 25 October - Churchill becomes First Lord of the Admiralty and invites Fisher to meet him<br>
1911 25 October - Churchill becomes First Lord of the Admiralty and invites Fisher to meet him  
1911 (till 1914) Mexican revolution; fighting begins in November<br>
1911 (till 1914) Mexican revolution; fighting begins in November  
1911 4 November - Morocco Agreement signed<br>
1911 4 November - Morocco Agreement signed  
1911 4 November - Charykov (of Russia) offers Turks a guarantee of the status quo if Straits open to Russian warships<br>
1911 4 November - Charykov (of Russia) offers Turks a guarantee of the status quo if Straits open to Russian warships  
1911 9-10 November - Reichstag debates Morocco Agreement<br><br>
1911 9-10 November - Reichstag debates Morocco Agreement  


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1912  
1912<br>
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1912-1913 Irish Home Rule problem occupies British domestic politics  
1912-1913 Irish Home Rule problem occupies British domestic politics<br>
1912-1913 Krupp "Kornwalzer"stolen secret militiary documents scandal emerges and trials; Krupp not penalized  
1912-1913 Krupp "Kornwalzer"stolen secret militiary documents scandal emerges and trials; Krupp not penalized<br>
1912 January British War Staff established  
1912 January British War Staff established<br>
1912 January Caillaux ousted in France and followed by Poincaré  
1912 January Caillaux ousted in France and followed by Poincaré<br>
1912 - French Army General Staff makes the offensive à outrance official French military doctrine in it's Regulations for the Conduct of Large Units  
1912 - French Army General Staff makes the offensive à outrance official French military doctrine in it's Regulations for the Conduct of Large Units<br>
1912 January - French Senate initiates an investigative committee into Cailloux's role in the Agadir Crisis and suspicions about Calloux's "Germanophilia" became widespread; these sentiments led to the fall of the "Cailloux" government during 1912; Cailloux still maintained enough political power that he was back in his "old" post of Minister of Finance  
1912 January - French Senate initiates an investigative committee into Cailloux's role in the Agadir Crisis and suspicions about Calloux's "Germanophilia" became widespread; these sentiments led to the fall of the "Cailloux" government during 1912; Cailloux still maintained enough political power that he was back in his "old" post of Minister of Finance<br>
1912 January - Reichstag elections with S.P.D. emerging as the strongest party  
1912 January - Reichstag elections with S.P.D. emerging as the strongest party<br>
1912 February - Joffre tells (French) Supreme War Council that he was counting on British for 6 infantry and 1 cavalry divisions to be ready for action in Mauberge area by 15th day of mobilization  
1912 February - Joffre tells (French) Supreme War Council that he was counting on British for 6 infantry and 1 cavalry divisions to be ready for action in Mauberge area by 15th day of mobilization<br>
1912 7 February - Kaiser announces Army and Navy Bills  
1912 7 February - Kaiser announces Army and Navy Bills<br>
1912 8 February - Haldane arrives in Berlin for talks  
1912 8 February - Haldane arrives in Berlin for talks<br>
1912 March - Churchill announces enlarging the RN, and removal of fleet from Malta to home waters (and with the French realigning their fleet)  
1912 March - Churchill announces enlarging the RN, and removal of fleet from Malta to home waters (and with the French realigning their fleet)<br>
1912 13 March - Balkan League between Serbia and Bulgaria formed  
1912 13 March - Balkan League between Serbia and Bulgaria formed<br>
1912 22 March - New German naval program begun marking failure of Anglo-German talks on naval forces  
1912 22 March - New German naval program begun marking failure of Anglo-German talks on naval forces<br>
1912 April - (2 week period) Turks close Straits fearing Italian attack with economic results in southern Russia creating tensions there  
1912 April - (2 week period) Turks close Straits fearing Italian attack with economic results in southern Russia creating tensions there<br>
1912 15 April - Cambon proposes to Nicholson a renewal of Landsdowne's "May 1905 offer" of an alliance; Grey writes Cambon with promises but no formal arrangement  
1912 15 April - Cambon proposes to Nicholson a renewal of Landsdowne's "May 1905 offer" of an alliance; Grey writes Cambon with promises but no formal arrangement<br>
1912 21 May - Military bills and Lex Bassermann-Erzberger passed by Reichstag  
1912 21 May - Military bills and Lex Bassermann-Erzberger passed by Reichstag<br>
1912 29 May - Greece joins Balkan League  
1912 29 May - Greece joins Balkan League  
1912 17 August - Poincaré tells Sazonov (of Russia) of verbal agreement by England to aid France if Germany attacked France (possibly posturing)  
1912 17 August - Poincaré tells Sazonov (of Russia) of verbal agreement by England to aid France if Germany attacked France (possibly posturing)<br>
1912 15 October - Peace between Italy and Turkey completed  
1912 15 October - Peace between Italy and Turkey completed <br>
1912 17 October - First Balkan War begins; Montenegro declares war on Turkey, soon joined by Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia  
1912 17 October - First Balkan War begins; Montenegro declares war on Turkey, soon joined by Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia<br>
1912 17 November - Poincaré tells Izvolski that France will back Russia in a war against Austria (which he said was backed by Germany)  
1912 17 November - Poincaré tells Izvolski that France will back Russia in a war against Austria (which he said was backed by Germany)<br>
1912 December - Haldane tells German Ambassador that England would aid France if attacked by Germany and could not allow the balance of power to be changed  
1912 December - Haldane tells German Ambassador that England would aid France if attacked by Germany and could not allow the balance of power to be changed<br>
1912 8 December - Wilhelm II calls military conference at Potsdam (over Haldane's comment) note: Some scholars (i.e., Fisher) see this as the turning point when Germany formulated plans for a war with Britain, but there was no follow-up on this.  
1912 8 December - Wilhelm II calls military conference at Potsdam (over Haldane's comment) note: Some scholars (i.e., Fisher) see this as the turning point when Germany formulated plans for a war with Britain, but there was no follow-up on this.<br><br>


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1913 Go to World War I Document Archive Primary Documents, Pre - 1914
1913 <br><br>
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1913 - Edison develops first talking motion pictures  
1913 - Edison develops first talking motion pictures<br>
1913 - Wilson visits French General Staff every other month and reviews Foch's manoeuvres of XX Corp guarding the border)  
1913 - Wilson visits French General Staff every other month and reviews Foch's manoeuvres of XX Corp guarding the border)<br>
1913 5 January Jagow succeds Kidelen-Wächter in the German Foreign Office  
1913 5 January Jagow succeds Kidelen-Wächter in the German Foreign Office<br>
1913 February - Russian celebrations for 300 years of Romanovs  
1913 February - Russian celebrations for 300 years of Romanovs<br>
1913 26 March - Churchill proposes Naval Holiday  
1913 26 March - Churchill proposes Naval Holiday<br>
1913 May - Treaty of London ending First Balkan War and Albania given international recognition; various territorial adjustments  
1913 May - Treaty of London ending First Balkan War and Albania given international recognition; various territorial adjustments <br>
1913 May - French General Staff adopts Plan 17  
1913 May - French General Staff adopts Plan 17<br>
1913 24 May - Oberst Alfred Redl, Deputy Chief of the Austrian Inteligence Bureau comitts suicide prior to being arrested as a Russian spy  
1913 24 May - Oberst Alfred Redl, Deputy Chief of the Austrian Inteligence Bureau comitts suicide prior to being arrested as a Russian spy<br>
1913 4 June Prussian Diet elections  
1913 4 June Prussian Diet elections<br>
1913 7 June - Erich v Falkenhayn becomes German Minister of War (till 21 Jan 1915)  
1913 7 June - Erich v Falkenhayn becomes German Minister of War (till 21 Jan 1915)<br>
1913 30 June - Second Balkan War begins with Bulgarian attack on Greece and Serbia  
1913 30 June - Second Balkan War begins with Bulgarian attack on Greece and Serbia<br>
1913 30 June - German Army Bill and Tax Compromise accepted  
1913 30 June - German Army Bill and Tax Compromise accepted<br>
1913 29 July - Anglo-Turkish understanding supporting German efforts in Turkey to build Bagdad railway  
1913 29 July - Anglo-Turkish understanding supporting German efforts in Turkey to build Bagdad railway<br>
1913 August - Lusitania undergoes extensive modifications permitting guns to be mounted and ammunition holds and ammo elevators installed prior to registration as a Reserve RN cruiser  
1913 August - Lusitania undergoes extensive modifications permitting guns to be mounted and ammunition holds and ammo elevators installed prior to registration as a Reserve RN cruiser<br>
1913 7 August - French Army bill ratified ("Three Year Law")  
1913 7 August - French Army bill ratified ("Three Year Law")<br>
1913 10 August Peace of Bucharest ends Second Balkan War and marked by territorial adjustments  
1913 10 August Peace of Bucharest ends Second Balkan War and marked by territorial adjustments<br>
1913 23 August - Churchill prepares contingency plans paper for Britain to send troops to aid France in war against Germany  
1913 23 August - Churchill prepares contingency plans paper for Britain to send troops to aid France in war against Germany<br>
1913 28 August "Kartell der schaffenden Stände" proclaimed  
1913 28 August "Kartell der schaffenden Stände" proclaimed<br>
1913 30 August - Churchill writes Grey that Britain should aid Russia and France in a war with Germany  
1913 30 August - Churchill writes Grey that Britain should aid Russia and France in a war with Germany<br>
1913 1 October - Greatest German Army increase since 1871; peace strength increased by 136,000 to 760,908 NCO's and men  
1913 1 October - Greatest German Army increase since 1871; peace strength increased by 136,000 to 760,908 NCO's and men<br>
1913 18 October - Churchill again proposes a Naval Holiday  
1913 18 October - Churchill again proposes a Naval Holiday<br>
1913 18 October - Berchtold (Austria) sends an ultimatum to Serbia demanding withdrawal of forces that crossed into Albania; Serbs withdrew  
1913 18 October - Berchtold (Austria) sends an ultimatum to Serbia demanding withdrawal of forces that crossed into Albania; Serbs withdrew<br>
1913 26 October - Kaiser meets Berchtold (Austrian Foregin Minister) in Vienna discussing possible Germanic-Slav (Serb) confrontation  
1913 26 October - Kaiser meets Berchtold (Austrian Foregin Minister) in Vienna discussing possible Germanic-Slav (Serb) confrontation<br>
1913 October-November - Zabern Affair in Germany  
1913 October-November - Zabern Affair in Germany<br>
1913 October - French Army adopts new field regulations calling for offensive  
1913 October - French Army adopts new field regulations calling for offensive<br>
1913 November - Miguel Almereyda begins publication of Le Bonnet Rouge, a weekly newspaper for the militant left in France; during 1914 it begins to appear daily  
1913 November - Miguel Almereyda begins publication of Le Bonnet Rouge, a weekly newspaper for the militant left in France; during 1914 it begins to appear daily<br>
1913 November - Liman von Sanders given total command of Turkish army and in charge at Istanbul resulting in open Russian animosity towards Germans in Turkey; Russia becoming increasingly more anti-German and belligerent  
1913 November - Liman von Sanders given total command of Turkish army and in charge at Istanbul resulting in open Russian animosity towards Germans in Turkey; Russia becoming increasingly more anti-German and belligerent<br>
1913 9 December - Liman von Sanders Commission to Turkey seen off by Kaiser  
1913 9 December - Liman von Sanders Commission to Turkey seen off by Kaiser<br>
1913 November - King Albert of Belgium invited to Berlin; Kaiser tells King that he feels war with France inevitable; similar statements by Moltke  
1913 November - King Albert of Belgium invited to Berlin; Kaiser tells King that he feels war with France inevitable; similar statements by Moltke<br>
1913 9 December - Liman von Sanders Commission to Turkey seen off by Kaiser  
1913 9 December - Liman von Sanders Commission to Turkey seen off by Kaiser<br>
1913 14 December - Liman von Sanders arrives in Constantinople  
1913 14 December - Liman von Sanders arrives in Constantinople<br><br>


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1914  
1914<br>
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1914 5 January - Gaston Calmette, editor of Le Figaro begins running a series of political and personal exposés on Cailloux  
1914 5 January - Gaston Calmette, editor of Le Figaro begins running a series of political and personal exposés on Cailloux<br>
1914 20 January Sazonov and Tsar discuss Liman von Sanders in Turkey and competeing with Austria over binding Poles to the Russian state  
1914 20 January Sazonov and Tsar discuss Liman von Sanders in Turkey and competeing with Austria over binding Poles to the Russian state<br>
1914 February - Durnovo (Russian State Council member) writes memo to Tsar regarding Russian role in war against Germany; assumes that Britain wouldn't be able to help much and territorial gains wouldn't be worthwhile and predicted a war would lead to social revolution  
1914 February - Durnovo (Russian State Council member) writes memo to Tsar regarding Russian role in war against Germany; assumes that Britain wouldn't be able to help much and territorial gains wouldn't be worthwhile and predicted a war would lead to social revolution<br>
1914 16 March - Joseph Caillaux's wife buys a Browning automatic pistol in the morning and late that afternoon shoots Gaston Calmette the editor of Le Figaro; Cailloux resigns his political post in the Cabinet; Calmette dies that evening  
1914 16 March - Joseph Caillaux's wife buys a Browning automatic pistol in the morning and late that afternoon shoots Gaston Calmette the editor of Le Figaro; Cailloux resigns his political post in the Cabinet; Calmette dies that evening<br>
1914 April - (till March 1916) U.S. troops stationed on U.S./Mexico border during Mexican Civil War; Villa's raid on Columbus, N.M., 1916, and subsequent U.S. incursion into Mexico; 1916-1917; U.S. forces begin Veracruz expedition in April, lasts until November 1914.  
1914 April - (till March 1916) U.S. troops stationed on U.S./Mexico border during Mexican Civil War; Villa's raid on Columbus, N.M., 1916, and subsequent U.S. incursion into Mexico; 1916-1917; U.S. forces begin Veracruz expedition in April, lasts until November 1914.<br>
1914 Spring; according to Tuchman, the Anglo-French military arrangements are completed even to point of details on billeting arrangements for British troops)  
1914 Spring; according to Tuchman, the Anglo-French military arrangements are completed even to point of details on billeting arrangements for British troops)<br>
1914 May - Anglo-Russian naval talks begin attempting to determine co-operation between fleets  
1914 May - Anglo-Russian naval talks begin attempting to determine co-operation between fleets<br>
1914 12 May - Moltke and Conrad (of Austria) meet in Karlsbad)  
1914 12 May - Moltke and Conrad (of Austria) meet in Karlsbad)<br>
1914 13 June - Kaiser Wilhelm II and Franz Ferdinand meet for the last time at Konopischt, Serbia and Russia discussed  
1914 13 June - Kaiser Wilhelm II and Franz Ferdinand meet for the last time at Konopischt, Serbia and Russia discussed<br>
1914 28 June - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife at Sarajevo  
1914 28 June - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife at Sarajevo<br>
1914 30 June - German Ambassador in Vienna advises Austrians against taking hasty steps  
1914 30 June - German Ambassador in Vienna advises Austrians against taking hasty steps<br>
1914 July - Trial of Madame Cailloux for the murder of Gaston Calmette; French public absorbed and distracted by details of the trial and surrounding scandals; on July 28th, the verdict of "not guilty" was rendered  
1914 July - Trial of Madame Cailloux for the murder of Gaston Calmette; French public absorbed and distracted by details of the trial and surrounding scandals; on July 28th, the verdict of "not guilty" was rendered<br>
1914 4 July - Hoyos mission to Berlin taking two notes; one being Austrian plans for Balkans (primarily Roumania) and a note from Franz Josef  
1914 4 July - Hoyos mission to Berlin taking two notes; one being Austrian plans for Balkans (primarily Roumania) and a note from Franz Josef<br>
1914 5 July - Austrian Ambassador in Berlin delivers handwritten note from Franz Josef to Kaiser, over luncheon; the Kaiser`s 'blank cheque'  
1914 5 July - Austrian Ambassador in Berlin delivers handwritten note from Franz Josef to Kaiser, over luncheon; the Kaiser`s 'blank cheque'<br>
1914 6 July - German Ambassador informs Grey that the crisis would be serious since Austria with German support was planning to act against Serbia  
1914 6 July - German Ambassador informs Grey that the crisis would be serious since Austria with German support was planning to act against Serbia<br>
1914 6 July - Wilhelm talks with Krupp and says he will not "chicken out" this time  
1914 6 July - Wilhelm talks with Krupp and says he will not "chicken out" this time<br>
1914 6 July - Wilhelm II leaves for Norwegian cruise (until 27 July)  
1914 6 July - Wilhelm II leaves for Norwegian cruise (until 27 July)<br>
1914 7 July - Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council meets  
1914 7 July - Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council meets<br>
1914 8 July - Ultimatum to Serbia being prepared  
1914 8 July - Ultimatum to Serbia being prepared<br>
1914 11 July - German Naval HQ sends telegram to Admiral Spee on Scharnhorst in pacific adivisory that England would probably be hostile in event of war  
1914 11 July - German Naval HQ sends telegram to Admiral Spee on Scharnhorst in pacific adivisory that England would probably be hostile in event of war<br>
1914 14 July - Tisza (Hungarian Prime Minister) concedes to military action against Serbia thereby  
1914 14 July - Tisza (Hungarian Prime Minister) concedes to military action against Serbia thereby<br>
1914 14 July - Tschirschky tells Bethmann-Hollweg the Austrian note is composed to preclude acceptance by the Serbs  
1914 14 July - Tschirschky tells Bethmann-Hollweg the Austrian note is composed to preclude acceptance by the Serbs<br>
1914 15 July - Conrad goes on holiday  
1914 15 July - Conrad goes on holiday<br>
1914 15 July - Poincaré and Viviani leave for St. Petersburg  
1914 15 July - Poincaré and Viviani leave for St. Petersburg<br>
1914 16 July - Grey tells Russian Ambassador that Germans can no longer be counted on as peacemakers under all circumstances  
1914 16 July - Grey tells Russian Ambassador that Germans can no longer be counted on as peacemakers under all circumstances<br>
1914 18 July - Admiralty Grand Review of the First Fleet (223 ships)  
1914 18 July - Admiralty Grand Review of the First Fleet (223 ships)<br>
1914 19 July - Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council meets and approves ultimatum to be handed over on 23 July; course of action planned  
1914 19 July - Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council meets and approves ultimatum to be handed over on 23 July; course of action planned<br>
1914 19 July - Jagow plants article in Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung advocating localisation of Austro-Serb conflict  
1914 19 July - Jagow plants article in Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung advocating localisation of Austro-Serb conflict<br>
1914 20 July - Poincaré and Viviania arrive in St Peterburg  
1914 20 July - Poincaré and Viviania arrive in St Peterburg<br>
1914 20 July - Churchill orders First Fleet not to disperse  
1914 20 July - Churchill orders First Fleet not to disperse<br>
1914 21 July - Franz Josef approves ultimatum at Bad Ischl; text of ultimatum sent to Berlin  
1914 21 July - Franz Josef approves ultimatum at Bad Ischl; text of ultimatum sent to Berlin<br>
1914 21 July - Cambon asks Jagow if he knows anything of the Austrian notes contents  
1914 21 July - Cambon asks Jagow if he knows anything of the Austrian notes contents<br>
1914 21 July - Sazonov tells Austrian Ambassador that Russia will try to persuade Serbs to make reasonable amends  
1914 21 July - Sazonov tells Austrian Ambassador that Russia will try to persuade Serbs to make reasonable amends<br>
1914 21 July - George V summons all parties to a conference at Buckingham Palace to discus the Irish situation; Grey reports to Cabinet and discussion of European situation follows  
1914 21 July - George V summons all parties to a conference at Buckingham Palace to discus the Irish situation; Grey reports to Cabinet and discussion of European situation follows<br>
1914 23 July - Austria delivers ulitmatum to Serbia at 6 PM; limited Austrian mobilization at Temesvar and Austrian fleet gathers at Semlin  
1914 23 July - Austria delivers ulitmatum to Serbia at 6 PM; limited Austrian mobilization at Temesvar and Austrian fleet gathers at Semlin<br>
1914 23 July - Poincaré and Viviani leave St. Petersburg for state visit to Oslo and Copenhagen  
1914 23 July - Poincaré and Viviani leave St. Petersburg for state visit to Oslo and Copenhagen<br>
1914 23 July - Lloyd George tells House of Commons that relations with Germany were better than they have been for years  
1914 23 July - Lloyd George tells House of Commons that relations with Germany were better than they have been for years<br>
1914 24 July - Asquith writes a friend that he expected a war between Austria and Germany on one side, and France and Russia on the other ( "a real Armageddon") and hopes Britain can remain out of it  
1914 24 July - Asquith writes a friend that he expected a war between Austria and Germany on one side, and France and Russia on the other ( "a real Armageddon") and hopes Britain can remain out of it<br>
1914 24 July - Austria-Hungary informs France, Russia, and Britain of ultimatum at 9 AM; Grey informed at 2 PM  
1914 24 July - Austria-Hungary informs France, Russia, and Britain of ultimatum at 9 AM; Grey informed at 2 PM<br>
1914 24 July - Grey informs Cabinet of contents of ultimatum and proposes to mediate among the powers  
1914 24 July - Grey informs Cabinet of contents of ultimatum and proposes to mediate among the powers <br>
1914 24 July - German ambassadors transmit note in Paris, London, and St Petersburg that conflict be localised  
1914 24 July - German ambassadors transmit note in Paris, London, and St Petersburg that conflict be localised<br>
1914 24 July - Paul Cambon proposes conference and announces support of Russia in case of Russians at war with Austria  
1914 24 July - Paul Cambon proposes conference and announces support of Russia in case of Russians at war with Austria <br>
1914 24 July - Delbrück meets Reich and Prussian authourities  
1914 24 July - Delbrück meets Reich and Prussian authourities<br>
1914 24 July - Russian Council of Ministers considers partial mobilization and asks Austria to extend the time for the ultimatum to Serbia; Sazanov says Serbia would become a protectorate of the Central Powers, loss of Russia's historic mission, and loss of prestige of Russia in Balkans  
1914 24 July - Russian Council of Ministers considers partial mobilization and asks Austria to extend the time for the ultimatum to Serbia; Sazanov says Serbia would become a protectorate of the Central Powers, loss of Russia's historic mission, and loss of prestige of Russia in Balkans<br>
1914 24 July - Churchill sends Fleet advisory notice of crisis, but not a full alert  
1914 24 July - Churchill sends Fleet advisory notice of crisis, but not a full alert<br>
1914 24 July - Italian Government takes conciliatory stance towards crisis and attempts to maintain interests in Balkans and Adriatic without war  
1914 24 July - Italian Government takes conciliatory stance towards crisis and attempts to maintain interests in Balkans and Adriatic without war<br>
1914 25 July - Serbian Parliament meets in special session and sends reply to ultimatum  
1914 25 July - Serbian Parliament meets in special session and sends reply to ultimatum<br>
1914 25 July - King Peter of Serbia moves capital from Belgrade to Kraguyavatz  
1914 25 July - King Peter of Serbia moves capital from Belgrade to Kraguyavatz<br>
1914 25 July - Vienna breaks off diplomatic relations with Belgrade and Serbian envoy  
1914 25 July - Vienna breaks off diplomatic relations with Belgrade and Serbian envoy dismissed<br>
dismissed  
1914 25 July - Austro-Hungarian Government declares martial law and war measures begun<br>
1914 25 July - Austro-Hungarian Government declares martial law and war measures begun  
1914 25 July - Moltke and Falkenhayn return to Berlin; Wilhelm II leaves Norway to return to Berlin<br>
1914 25 July - Moltke and Falkenhayn return to Berlin; Wilhelm II leaves Norway to return to Berlin  
1914 25 July - Wilhelm II orders return of Fleet<br>
1914 25 July - Wilhelm II orders return of Fleet  
1914 25 July - French Ministerial Council urges immediate return of Poincaré and Vivianni<br>
1914 25 July - French Ministerial Council urges immediate return of Poincaré and Vivianni  
1914 25 July - Paris and Berlin crowds demonstrate in favor of war<br>
1914 25 July - Paris and Berlin crowds demonstrate in favor of war  
1914 25 July - Grey again proposes mediation<br>
1914 25 July - Grey again proposes mediation  
1914 25 July - Jagow forwards Grey's proposal to Vienna<br>
1914 25 July - Jagow forwards Grey's proposal to Vienna  
1914 25 July - Russian Crown Council meets with Tsar and approves resolutions of Ministerial Council; Tsar orders preparations for mobilization<br>
1914 25 July - Russian Crown Council meets with Tsar and approves resolutions of Ministerial Council; Tsar orders preparations for mobilization  
1914 25 July - Italian Government shows no interest in suporting Austria<br>
1914 25 July - Italian Government shows no interest in suporting Austria  
1914 26 July - Royal Navy holds test mobilization for one day and plans to disperse next morning (27th)<br>
1914 26 July - Royal Navy holds test mobilization for one day and plans to disperse next morning (27th)  
1914 26 July - Serbian army begins mobilizing and panic in Belgrade<br>
1914 26 July - Serbian army begins mobilizing and panic in Belgrade  
1914 26 July - Russians begin preparatory measure for war (not mobilization)<br>
1914 26 July - Russians begin preparatory measure for war (not mobilization)  
1914 26 July - Russia asks Germany to exert moderating influence on Austria-Hungary; Germans try to localize war<br>
1914 26 July - Russia asks Germany to exert moderating influence on Austria-Hungary; Germans try to localize war  
1914 26 July - Grey proposes Four-Power conference of Ambassadors in London<br>
1914 26 July - Grey proposes Four-Power conference of Ambassadors in London  
1914 26 July - Austria mobilises on Russian frontier<br>
1914 26 July - Austria mobilises on Russian frontier  
1914 26 July - Austrian reservist in U.S. are warned to return for service; some Serbs in New York make ready to return home<br>
1914 26 July - Austrian reservist in U.S. are warned to return for service; some Serbs in New York make ready to return home  
1914 26 July - Emergency meeting of French Cabinet<br>
1914 26 July - Emergency meeting of French Cabinet  
1914 26 July - France takes precautionary military measures and French fleet order to prepare; French officers and men excused for harvesting recalled to their units<br>
1914 26 July - France takes precautionary military measures and French fleet order to prepare; French officers and men excused for harvesting recalled to their units  
1914 26 July - Italy masses its fleet<br>
1914 26 July - Italy masses its fleet  
1914 26 July - Belgium increases its army to enforce neutrality<br>
1914 26 July - Belgium increases its army to enforce neutrality  
1914 27 July - Wilhelm II returns to Potsdam/ Berlin<br>
1914 27 July - Wilhelm II returns to Potsdam/ Berlin  
1914 27 July - France accepts Grey's proposals of mediation while telling Russians the French army would fully stand by Russia militarily<br>
1914 27 July - France accepts Grey's proposals of mediation while telling Russians the French army would fully stand by Russia militarily  
1914 27 July - French units in Morocco ordered to France<br>
1914 27 July - French units in Morocco ordered to France  
1914 27 July - Bethmann-Hollweg rejects idea of Four Power conference<br>
1914 27 July - Bethmann-Hollweg rejects idea of Four Power conference  
1914 27 July - (AM) Churchill orders Royal Navy to be kept together and not disperse as planned and later informs Grey of his action <br>
1914 27 July - (AM) Churchill orders Royal Navy to be kept together and not disperse as planned and later informs Grey of his action  
1914 27 July - Poincaré cancels visit to Copenhagen and Oslo and starts to return home<br>
1914 27 July - Poincaré cancels visit to Copenhagen and Oslo and starts to return home  
1914 27 July - Anti-war demonstrations in Paris<br>
1914 27 July - Anti-war demonstrations in Paris  
1914 28 July - Churchill orders fleet to sail to its war base at Scapa Flow<br>
1914 28 July - Churchill orders fleet to sail to its war base at Scapa Flow  
1914 28 July - Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia; Austrian reservists in U.S. are ordered to return to Austria<br>
1914 28 July - Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia; Austrian reservists in U.S. are ordered to return to Austria  
1914 28 July - King Peter of Serbia goes to Nish<br>
1914 28 July - King Peter of Serbia goes to Nish  
1914 28 July - Prince Henry of Prussia reports to Wilhem II on his conversations with George V<br>
1914 28 July - Prince Henry of Prussia reports to Wilhem II on his conversations with George V  
1914 28 July - Wilhelm issues 'Halt-in-Belgrade' appeal shortly after seeing the Serb reply to the Austrian ultimatum<br>
1914 28 July - Wilhelm issues 'Halt-in-Belgrade' appeal shortly after seeing the Serb reply to the Austrian ultimatum  
1914 28 July - Wilhelm II appeals to Tsar's monarchial solidarity; crosses the Tsar's telegram to him<br>
1914 28 July - Wilhelm II appeals to Tsar's monarchial solidarity; crosses the Tsar's telegram to him  
1914 28 July - Russia orders mobilization of four western military districts and Black Sea coastline black-out<br>
1914 28 July - Russia orders mobilization of four western military districts and Black Sea coastline black-out  
1914 28 July - Grey hopes that Austria-Hungary and Russia can be brought to negotiate<br>
1914 28 July - Grey hopes that Austria-Hungary and Russia can be brought to negotiate  
1914 28 July - Bethmann-Hollweg meets Südekem (S.P.D.)<br>
1914 28 July - Bethmann-Hollweg meets Südekem (S.P.D.)  
1914 28 July - French General Staff informs Russian military attache in Paris that French Army is fully ready and active to do her duty as an ally of Russia<br>
1914 28 July - French General Staff informs Russian military attache in Paris that French Army is fully ready and active to do her duty as an ally of Russia  
1914 28 July - French Army moves to the frontier areas<br>
1914 28 July - French Army moves to the frontier areas  
1914 28 July - French Socialists demonstrate against war; German Socialist anti-war rallies<br>
1914 28 July - French Socialists demonstrate against war; German Socialist anti-war rallies  
1914 28 July - Italian Government orders concentration of 1st and 2nd naval squadrons at Gaeta and Italian vessels ordered home<br>
1914 28 July - Italian Government orders concentration of 1st and 2nd naval squadrons at Gaeta and Italian vessels ordered home  
1914 29 July - Churchill persuades Asquith to authorize "Warning Telegram" to fleet<br>
1914 29 July - Churchill persuades Asquith to authorize "Warning Telegram" to fleet  
1914 29 July - Nicholas II telegrams Kaiser, start of "Willy-Nicky" telegrams in English over next three days<br>
1914 29 July - Nicholas II telegrams Kaiser, start of "Willy-Nicky" telegrams in English over next three days  
1914 29 July - Vienna refuses to negotiate with Serbia, Belgrade shelled by Austrian artillery<br>
1914 29 July - Vienna refuses to negotiate with Serbia, Belgrade shelled by Austrian artillery  
1914 29 July - Franz Josef sends letter to Tsar Nicholas<br>
1914 29 July - Franz Josef sends letter to Tsar Nicholas  
1914 29 July - Austrian forces repulsed at Losnitza<br>
1914 29 July - Austrian forces repulsed at Losnitza  
1914 29 July - Montenegrins occupy Cattaro<br>
1914 29 July - Montenegrins occupy Cattaro  
1914 29 July - Serbs blow up bridges at Semlin<br>
1914 29 July - Serbs blow up bridges at Semlin  
1914 29 July - Belgian army reserves called up<br>
1914 29 July - Belgian army reserves called up  
1914 29 July - Trade in Antwerp "paralyzed"<br>
1914 29 July - Trade in Antwerp "paralyzed"  
1914 29 July - Tschirischky transmits Kaiser's 'Halt-in-Belgrade" proposal<br>
1914 29 July - Tschirischky transmits Kaiser's 'Halt-in-Belgrade" proposal  
1914 29 July - Poincaré and Vivianni return to Paris and hold Cabinet council meeting<br>
1914 29 July - Poincaré and Vivianni return to Paris and hold Cabinet council meeting  
1914 29 July - Business in Paris almost at standstill<br>
1914 29 July - Business in Paris almost at standstill  
1914 29 July - Kaiser holds military councils and issues German warnings to Russia<br>
1914 29 July - Kaiser holds military councils and issues German warnings to Russia  
1914 29 July - Moltke sends a memorandum to Chancellor and demands general mobilization of German Armed forces; Moltke also send telegram to Conrad suggesting Austria begin full mobilization and Germany would follow<br>
1914 29 July - Moltke sends a memorandum to Chancellor and demands general mobilization of German Armed forces; Moltke also send telegram to Conrad suggesting Austria begin full mobilization and Germany would follow  
1914 29 July - Bethmann-Hollweg makes moves to keep Britain neutral; final draft of ultimatum to Belgian Government sent to German ambassador in Brussels<br>
1914 29 July - Bethmann-Hollweg makes moves to keep Britain neutral; final draft of ultimatum to Belgian Government sent to German ambassador in Brussels  
1914 29 July - Grey informs Lichnowsky (German Ambassador) that Britain could not remain neutral in the event of a continental war; proposes mediation<br>
1914 29 July - Grey informs Lichnowsky (German Ambassador) that Britain could not remain neutral in the event of a continental war; proposes mediation  
1914 29 July - Grey and Cabinet begin meeting daily, sometimes twice or more a day over next several days; following this meeting "Warning Telegram" sent to all British naval, military and colonial stations warning that war was possible<br>
1914 29 July - Grey and Cabinet begin meeting daily, sometimes twice or more a day over next several days; following this meeting "Warning Telegram" sent to all British naval, military and colonial stations warning that war was possible  
1914 29 July - (and 30th) R.N. leaves Portsmouth <br>
1914 29 July - (and 30th) R.N. leaves Portsmouth  
1914 29 July - British and German fleets in Far East begin mobilizing<br>
1914 29 July - British and German fleets in Far East begin mobilizing  
1914 29 July - King of Montenegro's yacht evades capture by Austrian destroyers<br>
1914 29 July - King of Montenegro's yacht evades capture by Austrian destroyers  
1914 29 July - Russian general mobilization ordered, but revoked by Tsar later that same evening; Russian hopes for Serb victory; Russians black-out Baltic coastline<br>
1914 29 July - Russian general mobilization ordered, but revoked by Tsar later that same evening; Russian hopes for Serb victory; Russians black-out Baltic coastline  
1914 29 July - Kaiser holds Crown Council at Potsdam over possibility of British involvement over France<br>
1914 29 July - Kaiser holds Crown Council at Potsdam over possibility of British involvement over France  
1914 30 July - Bethmann-Hollweg unsuccessfully tries to reverse German policy<br>
1914 30 July - Bethmann-Hollweg unsuccessfully tries to reverse German policy  
1914 30 July - Belgian forts provisioned and Belgian Government forbids export of horses or vehicles<br>
1914 30 July - Belgian forts provisioned and Belgian Government forbids export of horses or vehicles  
1914 30 July - Holland declares neutrality<br>
1914 30 July - Holland declares neutrality  
1914 30 July - Austria-Hungary agrees to negotiations with Russia but refuses to delay operations against Serbia<br>
1914 30 July - Austria-Hungary agrees to negotiations with Russia but refuses to delay operations against Serbia  
1914 30 July - Austria expels newspaper correspondants from Semlin<br>
1914 30 July - Austria expels newspaper correspondants from Semlin  
1914 30 July - Moltke presses for general mobilization<br>
1914 30 July - Moltke presses for general mobilization  
1914 30 July - Berliner Lokalanzeiger announces German mobilization but issue is withdrawn; official denial<br>
1914 30 July - Berliner Lokalanzeiger announces German mobilization but issue is withdrawn; official denial  
1914 30 July - Prussian State Ministry meets at Potsdam<br>
1914 30 July - Prussian State Ministry meets at Potsdam  
1914 30 July - Austria-Hungary orders general mobilization including men up to 50 years old<br>
1914 30 July - Austria-Hungary orders general mobilization including men up to 50 years old  
1914 30 July - Russian general monilization ordered for 31 July; Russian Government takes control of railways<br>
1914 30 July - Russian general monilization ordered for 31 July; Russian Government takes control of railways  
1914 30 July - Unionist papers in England call for Britain to go to war against Germany if France attacked<br>
1914 30 July - Unionist papers in England call for Britain to go to war against Germany if France attacked  
1914 30 July - Halifax garrison in Canada begins preparations<br>
1914 30 July - Halifax garrison in Canada begins preparations  
1914 30 July - French troops guard railways; French Army withdraws 10 kilmeters along entire border with Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany; Germans covering troops along border. In Paris, nothing yet known of Austrian and Russian mobilization.<br>
1914 30 July - French troops guard railways; French Army withdraws 10 kilmeters along entire border with Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany; Germans covering troops along border. In Paris, nothing yet known of Austrian and Russian mobilization.  
1914 30 July - Guiseppe Garibaldi says he will fight for Serbia if Italy remains neutral<br>
1914 30 July - Guiseppe Garibaldi says he will fight for Serbia if Italy remains neutral  
1914 31 July - Vienna rejects international conference and orders general mobilization <br>
1914 31 July - Vienna rejects international conference and orders general mobilization  
1914 31 July - Austrian Government assures Italy Government that more territory is not wanted<br>
1914 31 July - Austrian Government assures Italy Government that more territory is not wanted  
1914 31 July - Russian general mobilization becomes known in Berlin at noon <br>
1914 31 July - Russian general mobilization becomes known in Berlin at noon  
1914 31 July - Russian Council of Ministers meet at Peterhof and Government does not reply to German note <br>
1914 31 July - Russian Council of Ministers meet at Peterhof and Government does not reply to German note  
1914 31 July - Russian reserves called up<br>
1914 31 July - Russian reserves called up  
1914 31 July - Russians blow up railway bridge on Vienna-Warsaw line<br>
1914 31 July - Russians blow up railway bridge on Vienna-Warsaw line  
1914 31 July - Serbs halt Austrians at Semendria and on Bosnia frontier <br>
1914 31 July - Serbs halt Austrians at Semendria and on Bosnia frontier  
1914 31 July - 10 AM London Stock Exchange closes in a wave of financial panic (Monday a Bank Holiday) started in New York <br>
1914 31 July - 10 AM London Stock Exchange closes in a wave of financial panic (Monday a Bank Holiday) started in New York  
1914 31 July - Reichstag summoned<br>
1914 31 July - Reichstag summoned  
1914 31 July - Kaiser proclaims 'state of imminent war' at 1 PM (one hour after Russian mobilization learned of); martial law declared and Kaiser makes speeches<br>
1914 31 July - Kaiser proclaims 'state of imminent war' at 1 PM (one hour after Russian mobilization learned of); martial law declared and Kaiser makes speeches  
1914 31 July - Crown Prince Wilhelm assigned military command <br>
1914 31 July - Crown Prince Wilhelm assigned military command  
1914 31 July - Germany refuses to mediate and issues ultimatum to Russia to halt demobilization within 24 hours<br>
1914 31 July - Germany refuses to mediate and issues ultimatum to Russia to halt demobilization within 24 hours  
1914 31 July - Germans send ultimatum to Paris demanding to know if France will stay neutral and if so, to hand over forts at Toul and Verdun; given 18 hours to reply<br>
1914 31 July - Germans send ultimatum to Paris demanding to know if France will stay neutral and if so, to hand over forts at Toul and Verdun; given 18 hours to reply  
1914 31 July - French Government prepares to refuse German ultimatum; Paul Cambon goes to see Grey for British committment<br>
1914 31 July - French Government prepares to refuse German ultimatum; Paul Cambon goes to see Grey for British committment  
1914 31 July - Churchill orders confiscation of Turkish ships Sultan Osman and Reshadieh cancelling delivery<br>
1914 31 July - Churchill orders confiscation of Turkish ships Sultan Osman and Reshadieh cancelling delivery  
1914 31 July - French socialist leader Jean Jaurès assassinated in Paris<br>
1914 31 July - French socialist leader Jean Jaurès assassinated in Paris  
1914 31 July - French Ministerial Council decides to order mobilization for 1 August<br>
1914 31 July - French Ministerial Council decides to order mobilization for 1 August  
1914 31 July - Grey asks French and German Governments if they will respect Belgian neutrality; France agrees, Germans<br> evasive; British Cabinet close to abandoning France; Tory leaders be called to London to confer on crisis<br>
1914 31 July - Grey asks French and German Governments if they will respect Belgian neutrality; France agrees, Germans evasive; British Cabinet close to abandoning France; Tory leaders be called to London to confer on crisis  
1914 31 July - French answer to German note about Russia<br>
1914 31 July - French answer to German note about Russia  
1914 31 July - French Government mobilizes steamship La France for Government service<br>
1914 31 July - French Government mobilizes steamship La France for Government service  
1914 31 July - Belgian Army mobilizes<br>
1914 31 July - Belgian Army mobilizes  
1914 31 July - Dutch Army ordered to mobilize<br>
1914 31 July - Dutch Army ordered to mobilize  
1914 31 July - Belgian State Railway schedule of trains into Germany suspended<br>
1914 31 July - Belgian State Railway schedule of trains into Germany suspended  
1914 31 July - Italian Council of Ministers votes to remain neutral<br>
1914 31 July - Italian Council of Ministers votes to remain neutral  
1914 1 August - 2AM Izvolsky (Russian Ambassador) awakens Poincaré, who had retired for the night, and asks what France plans to do<br>
1914 1 August - 2AM Izvolsky (Russian Ambassador) awakens Poincaré, who had retired for the night, and asks what France plans to do  
1914 1 August - (morning) Governor of Bank of England visits Lloyd George to tell him that Bank was opposed to British intervention; Asquith gets similar messages from others in financial community<br>
1914 1 August - (morning) Governor of Bank of England visits Lloyd George to tell him that Bank was opposed to British intervention; Asquith gets similar messages from others in financial community  
1914 1 August - French Army ordered to begin mobilization at 3:40 PM; French Government says it will respect Belgian neutrality<br>
1914 1 August - French Army ordered to begin mobilization at 3:40 PM; French Government says it will respect Belgian neutrality  
1914 1 August - Cambon asks Grey if Britain will intervene and asks if "honor" was erased from the British dictionary<br>
1914 1 August - Cambon asks Grey if Britain will intervene and asks if "honor" was erased from the British dictionary  
1914 1 August - Delcassé becomes War Minister in France<br>
1914 1 August - Delcassé becomes War Minister in France  
1914 1 August - German Ambassador prepares to leave Paris and American Ambassador and Council will look after German affairs there<br>
1914 1 August - German Ambassador prepares to leave Paris and American Ambassador and Council will look after German affairs there  
1914 1 August - War rallies in Vienna and pressure on Austrian Government to keep war localized and to negotiate with Russia<br>
1914 1 August - War rallies in Vienna and pressure on Austrian Government to keep war localized and to negotiate with Russia  
1914 1 August - German ultimatum to Russia expires at noon; Germany declares war on Russia at 12:52 PM and begins mobilization at 5 PM when announcement made to crowd at Imperial palace gates<br>
1914 1 August - German ultimatum to Russia expires at noon; Germany declares war on Russia at 12:52 PM and begins mobilization at 5 PM when announcement made to crowd at Imperial palace gates  
1914 1 August - German ultimatum to France expires at 1 PM<br>
1914 1 August - German ultimatum to France expires at 1 PM  
1914 1 August - (ca 7 PM) Kaiser orders troops planning to invade Luxemburg to halt and tells Molke that it may be possible to prevent war with France and Moltke says that once mobilization began stopping war with France was no longer possible<br>
1914 1 August - (ca 7 PM) Kaiser orders troops planning to invade Luxemburg to halt and tells Molke that it may be possible to prevent war with France and Moltke says that once mobilization began stopping war with France was no longer possible  
1914 1 August - Reichstag convened<br>
1914 1 August - Reichstag convened  
1914 ! August - German reservists in China begin concentrating at Tsing-tau; German officals in South Africa begin returning home<br>
1914 ! August - German reservists in China begin concentrating at Tsing-tau; German officals in South Africa begin returning home  
1914 1 August - Russian forces fire on German patrol near Prostken<br>
1914 1 August - Russian forces fire on German patrol near Prostken  
1914 1 August - Continued hopes in Berlin that Britain might stay neutral<br>
1914 1 August - Continued hopes in Berlin that Britain might stay neutral  
1914 1 August - Belgian Government buys the entire wheat supply on market in Antwerp<br>
1914 1 August - Belgian Government buys the entire wheat supply on market in Antwerp  
1914 1 August - Special meeting of British Cabinet (night session); Churchill asks to mobilize the fleet and call up reserves and is turned down; Grey asks to use fleet to support French in event of Germans in Channel (as promised to French); Lloyd Geroge not in favor of war; on leaving the meeting, Grey tells Churchill he will honor pledge to Cambon and close the Channel with RN<br>
1914 1 August - Special meeting of British Cabinet (night session); Churchill asks to mobilize the fleet and call up reserves and is turned down; Grey asks to use fleet to support French in event of Germans in Channel (as promised to French); Lloyd Geroge not in favor of war; on leaving the meeting, Grey tells Churchill he will honor pledge to Cambon and close the Channel with RN  
1914 1 August - King George appeals to the Tsar for peace<br>
1914 1 August - King George appeals to the Tsar for peace  
1914 1 August - London Times denunciation of Germany<br>
1914 1 August - London Times denunciation of Germany  
1914 1 August - Canadian Cabinet meets and agrees to send its offer of Canadian troops to England<br>
1914 1 August - Canadian Cabinet meets and agrees to send its offer of Canadian troops to England  
1914 1 August - Italian Government tells Germany that Triple Alliance agreement only applied to a defensive war<br>
1914 1 August - Italian Government tells Germany that Triple Alliance agreement only applied to a defensive war  
1914 1 August - Japanese navy prepares for war<br>
1914 1 August - Japanese navy prepares for war  
1914 2 August - German troops occupy Luxembourg<br>
1914 2 August - German troops occupy Luxembourg  
1914 2 August - Ambassador Cambon blames Germany for cause of conflict<br>
1914 2 August - Ambassador Cambon blames Germany for cause of conflict  
1914 2 August - French Government declares a state of siege in France and Algiers<br>
1914 2 August - French Government declares a state of siege in France and Algiers  
1914 2 August - French Socialists desplay patriotism in support of war<br>
1914 2 August - French Socialists desplay patriotism in support of war  
1914 2 August - French cut railway communications with Germany and Belgium<br>
1914 2 August - French cut railway communications with Germany and Belgium  
1914 2 August - Russian Ambassador in Berlin given passport<br>
1914 2 August - Russian Ambassador in Berlin given passport  
1914 2 August - (afternoon) Tsar formally declares war on Germany<br>
1914 2 August - (afternoon) Tsar formally declares war on Germany  
1914 2 August - Russians cross German frontier and seize railroad station<br>
1914 2 August - Russians cross German frontier and seize railroad station  
1914 2 August - fighting between Russian and German cruisers near Libau; German ships at sea ordered to seek neutral ports<br>
1914 2 August - fighting between Russian and German cruisers near Libau; German ships at sea ordered to seek neutral ports  
1914 2 August - Germans in Kiao-Chau declare martial law<br>
1914 2 August - Germans in Kiao-Chau declare martial law  
1914 2 August - German High Seas Fleet captures Wilson Liner Castro and a collier<br>
1914 2 August - German High Seas Fleet captures Wilson Liner Castro and a collier  
1914 2 August - Montenegrin King signs mobilization order<br>
1914 2 August - Montenegrin King signs mobilization order  
1914 2 August - Austrian military cadets commissioned<br>
1914 2 August - Austrian military cadets commissioned  
1914 2 August - Germans and French recall all military reserves at home and abroad<br>
1914 2 August - Germans and French recall all military reserves at home and abroad  
1914 2 August - Two British Cabinet meetings (11AM-2PM and 6:30 PM-8PM); during second meeting Cabinet agrees that if Belgium invaded Britain would declare war<br>
1914 2 August - Two British Cabinet meetings (11AM-2PM and 6:30 PM-8PM); during second meeting Cabinet agrees that if Belgium invaded Britain would declare war  
1914 2 August - Trafalgar Square anti-war demonstration evaporates and pro-war sentiments spread in Britain<br>
1914 2 August - Trafalgar Square anti-war demonstration evaporates and pro-war sentiments spread in Britain  
1914 2 August - German ambassador in Brussels delivers ultimatum to Belgian Government at 8 PM; 12 hour period to reply<br>
1914 2 August - German ambassador in Brussels delivers ultimatum to Belgian Government at 8 PM; 12 hour period to reply  
1914 2 August - Belgian King holds Council of State at 9 PM-midnight to discuss ultimatum <br>
1914 2 August - Belgian King holds Council of State at 9 PM-midnight to discuss ultimatum  
1914 2 August - Invasion fears in Holland result in plans to flood the country to prevent it<br>
1914 2 August - Invasion fears in Holland result in plans to flood the country to prevent it  
1914 2 August - Belgian guards posted at bridges at Liege and Namur and Belgian "civic guard" called out<br>
1914 2 August - Belgian guards posted at bridges at Liege and Namur and Belgian "civic guard" called out  
1914 2 August - Kitchener orders military censorship for British papers<br>
1914 2 August - Kitchener orders military censorship for British papers  
1914 2 August - Canadian volunteers enlisting for possible war<br>
1914 2 August - Canadian volunteers enlisting for possible war  
1914 2 August - Canadian Royal Naval reserve called up<br>
1914 2 August - Canadian Royal Naval reserve called up  
1914 2 August - Italian Cabinet ratifies neutrality declaration but troops called to colors as precautionary measure<br>
1914 2 August - Italian Cabinet ratifies neutrality declaration but troops called to colors as precautionary measure  
1914 2 August - Japanese Emporer summons Council and asks for report on army; Japanese navy warships readied<br>
1914 2 August - Japanese Emporer summons Council and asks for report on army; Japanese navy warships readied  
1914 3 August - 2:30 AM Belgian Council of State re-convenes to approve reply to German ultimatum, over at 4:00 AM; reply given at 7 AM<br>
1914 3 August - 2:30 AM Belgian Council of State re-convenes to approve reply to German ultimatum, over at 4:00 AM; reply given at 7 AM  
1914 3 August - Bank Holiday in England; crowds in Whitehall<br>
1914 3 August - Bank Holiday in England; crowds in Whitehall  
1914 3 August - British Cabinet meets at 11AM (still unaware of Belgium's plans to refuse ultimatum) and learns of Belgian reply during session; King Albert sends George V telegram asking for Britain to back its treaty obligations towards Belgium; Cabinet sanctions mobilization of Fleet and Army but no decision to send BEF to France yet; Grey says Britain will keep the German Navy out of the Channel<br>
1914 3 August - British Cabinet meets at 11AM (still unaware of Belgium's plans to refuse ultimatum) and learns of Belgian reply during session; King Albert sends George V telegram asking for Britain to back its treaty obligations towards Belgium; Cabinet sanctions mobilization of Fleet and Army but no decision to send BEF to France yet; Grey says Britain will keep the German Navy out of the Channel  
1914 3 August - Haldane sending out mobilization telegrams calling up Reservists and Territorials<br>
1914 3 August - Haldane sending out mobilization telegrams calling up Reservists and Territorials  
1914 3 August - Dense crowds in Whitehall in support of war<br>
1914 3 August - Dense crowds in Whitehall in support of war  
1914 3 August - Italy declares neutrality<br>
1914 3 August - Italy declares neutrality  
1914 3 August - Germans seize three towns in Russian Poland<br>
1914 3 August - Germans seize three towns in Russian Poland  
1914 3 August - Tsar calls Russians to war and issues paper on causes of war<br>
1914 3 August - Tsar calls Russians to war and issues paper on causes of war  
1914 3 August - Austrians and Serbs fighting along the Drona River<br>
1914 3 August - Austrians and Serbs fighting along the Drona River  
1914 3 August - Germany declares war on France and German Ambassador leaves Paris; French Ambassador leaves Berlin<br>
1914 3 August - Germany declares war on France and German Ambassador leaves Paris; French Ambassador leaves Berlin  
1914 3 August - American Ambassador in Moscow will look after German interests in Russia and Eastern Europe<br>
1914 3 August - American Ambassador in Moscow will look after German interests in Russia and Eastern Europe  
1914 3 August - Belgium rejects German demands<br>
1914 3 August - Belgium rejects German demands  
1914 3 August - German-Turkish Treaty concluded<br>
1914 3 August - German-Turkish Treaty concluded  
1914 3 August - German Ambassador sees Grey and asks about British intentions and decisions regarding the war<br>
1914 3 August - German Ambassador sees Grey and asks about British intentions and decisions regarding the war  
1914 3 August - Grey addresses House of Commons (ca. 3 PM) and debate follows with dinner break; German ultimatum to Belgium becomes known; Redmond promises Irish support<br>
1914 3 August - Grey addresses House of Commons (ca. 3 PM) and debate follows with dinner break; German ultimatum to Belgium becomes known; Redmond promises Irish support  
1914 3 August - British ultimatum contemplated being sent to Germany regarding Belgian neutrality<br>
1914 3 August - British ultimatum contemplated being sent to Germany regarding Belgian neutrality  
1914 3 August - German declaration of war on France (ca. 5:30 PM)<br>
1914 3 August - German declaration of war on France (ca. 5:30 PM)  
1914 3 August - Canadian ports of Quebec and Montreal put in charge of military authorities<br>
1914 3 August - Canadian ports of Quebec and Montreal put in charge of military authorities  
1914 3 August - Canadian militia called up and reserves prepared to sail for England<br>
1914 3 August - Canadian militia called up and reserves prepared to sail for England  
1914 4 August - Serbs ban the sending of press dispatches<br>
1914 4 August - Serbs ban the sending of press dispatches  
1914 4 August - German ambassador in Brussel delivers German response to Belgian reply at 6 AM<br>
1914 4 August - German ambassador in Brussel delivers German response to Belgian reply at 6 AM  
1914 4 August - 8:02 AM Germans invade Belgium<br>
1914 4 August - 8:02 AM Germans invade Belgium  
1914 4 August - 9 AM King Alfred meets Belgian parliament<br>
1914 4 August - 9 AM King Alfred meets Belgian parliament  
1914 4 August - German troops cross French border near Mars-La-Tour and Moineville<br>
1914 4 August - German troops cross French border near Mars-La-Tour and Moineville  
1914 4 August - Joffre leaves for the frontier<br>
1914 4 August - Joffre leaves for the frontier  
1914 4 August - Riots in Paris<br>
1914 4 August - Riots in Paris  
1914 4 August - Noon. King Alfred appeals to Britain and France for military support regarding Belgian neutrality<br>
1914 4 August - Noon. King Alfred appeals to Britain and France for military support regarding Belgian neutrality  
1914 4 August - British Cabinet meets at 11 AM after hearing of Belgian invasion and issues ultimatum to expire at midnight<br>
1914 4 August - British Cabinet meets at 11 AM after hearing of Belgian invasion and issues ultimatum to expire at midnight  
1914 4 August - Whitehall filled with crowds in support of British intervention in war<br>
1914 4 August - Whitehall filled with crowds in support of British intervention in war  
1914 4 August - British ulitmatum transmitted to Berlin and British Ambassador prepares to leave Berlin<br>
1914 4 August - British ulitmatum transmitted to Berlin and British Ambassador prepares to leave Berlin  
1914 4 August - German Government appeals to Italians to honor treaty go unheeded<br>
1914 4 August - German Government appeals to Italians to honor treaty go unheeded  
1914 4 August - Reichstag opens; speech by Kaiser (morning), stops for church services, reconvenes for German Chancellor speech (3 PM); Reichstag support of war and votes for war credits then adjourns (Socialists agree to set diferences aside and vote in support).<br>
1914 4 August - Reichstag opens; speech by Kaiser (morning), stops for church services, reconvenes for German Chancellor speech (3 PM); Reichstag support of war and votes for war credits then adjourns (Socialists agree to set diferences aside and vote in support).  
1914 4 August - (circa 2 PM and concurrent with Bethmann-Hollweg in Reichstag) Asquith announces to House of Commons that he has a message from King (Mobilization Proclamation) and reads terms of British ultimatum to Germany.<br>
1914 4 August - (circa 2 PM and concurrent with Bethmann-Hollweg in Reichstag) Asquith announces to House of Commons that he has a message from King (Mobilization Proclamation) and reads terms of British ultimatum to Germany.  
1914 4 August - 7 PM British ultimatum (two parts) becomes known in Berlin; British Amabassador presents it to Bethmann-Hollweg<br>
1914 4 August - 7 PM British ultimatum (two parts) becomes known in Berlin; British Amabassador presents it to Bethmann-Hollweg  
1914 4 August - circa 9 PM, British intercept German message from Berlin that Germany considers itself at war with Britain the moment the British Ambassador asked for his passport (during delivery of British ultimatum)<br>
1914 4 August - circa 9 PM, British intercept German message from Berlin that Germany considers itself at war with Britain the moment the British Ambassador asked for his passport (during delivery of British ultimatum)  
1914 4 August - Japanese Government proclamation preparing country for war on behalf of England (war on 23 Aug)<br>
1914 4 August - Japanese Government proclamation preparing country for war on behalf of England (war on 23 Aug)  
1914 4 August - Canadian Cabinet meeting and mobilzation of Canadian Expeditionary Force begins; reservists sail<br>
1914 4 August - Canadian Cabinet meeting and mobilzation of Canadian Expeditionary Force begins; reservists sail  
1914 4 August - Message of appreciation sent to Canada by King George<br>
1914 4 August - Message of appreciation sent to Canada by King George  
1914 4 August - Rival warship off Port of New York; Foreign consulates in U.S. busy with returning nationals<br>
1914 4 August - Rival warship off Port of New York; Foreign consulates in U.S. busy with returning nationals  
1914 6 August - Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
1914 6 August - Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
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[[Main_Page | WWI Document Archive ]] > [[Pre - 1914 Documents]] > '''Timeline of Events'''
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Latest revision as of 19:02, 28 May 2009

WWI Document Archive > Pre - 1914 Documents > Timeline of Events


Timeline of Events, 1870-1914


1890 Return to Timeline Search Page Go to World War I Document Archive Primary Documents, Pre - 1914

1890 - "Ghost Dance" revival movement among American Plains Indians culminating in Battle of Wounded Knee on 28 December(1890); Pershing involved in campaign as junior officer
1890 - A.T. Mahan publishes "The Influence of Sea Power on History, 1660-1783" arguing that Britain's status rested on naval supremacy which controlled the Eurasian balance of power
1890 4 March - Caprivi becomes German Chancellor (till 28 October 1894)
1890 18 March - Dismissal/Resignation of Bismarck
1890 May - French unsuccessfully try to get Russians to jon them in a military alliance against Germany
1890 18 June - Reinsurance Treaty lapses
1890 1 July - Heligoland Treaty; Germany gives up its claims to Zanzibar to Britain, in exchange for Heligoland
1890 October - Reichstag elections with S. P. D. holding 35 seats (out of 397)
1890 1 October - German anti-socialist laws not renewed

1891

1891 - Italian government agrees to a commercial treaty with Germany and Austria
1891 - Diplomatic relations with United States broken off by Italy following dispute over the murder of 11 Italians in New Orlans; indemnities paid the following year by the U.S. and relations resumed
1891 7 February - Schlieffen appointed Chief of German General Staff (till 1 Jan, 1906)
1891 July - French naval squadron visits Russian port of Kronstadt; greeted with cheers by Russians
1891 27 August - Franco-Russian Entente

1892

1892 1 February - Germany signs commercial treaties with Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria-Hungary
1892 May - "Jackie" Fisher becomes Third Lord of the Admiralty for 5 and half years (ship design and construction)
1892 17 August - Franco-Russian Military Convention
1892 17 August - Schlieffen begins formulating concept of two-front war plan to counter Franco-Russian alliance

1893

1893 17 January - Franco-Russian Alliance signed
1893 18 February - Founding of Agrarian League in Germany
1893 13 July - Germany Army bill accepted
1893 August - Clemenceau runs for re-election from the Var district, but looses and is out of political office for the first time in almost 20 years
1893 30 August - Report reaches London that French ordered British vessels out of Gulf of Siam; creates war scare
1893 October - Russian naval visit to French port of Toulon
1893 19 October - General Bronsart v Schellendorf becomes German Minister of War (till 14 Aug 1896)
1893 December - Italian forces Mahdists under Ahmad wad-Ali at Agordat

1894

1894 10 February - Russo-German commercial treaty signed
1894 12 May - Anglo-Congolese (Free State) treaty signed with Britian hoping to bar French from the Nile Valley
1894 July - German General Staff develops a new strategic plan for two-front war
1894 July - Italians capture Kassala
1894 September - Japan goes to war with China over Korea (First Korean War) with British attempts at intervention against Japan failing
1894 26 September - A French intelligence agent steals papers from the German Embassy in Paris that reveal a French officer is spying for the Germans, leading to the Drefyus affair: repercussions throughout France's army and government; Drefus accused, tried and convicted on flimsy (and fabricated) evidence, and then sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island
1894 26 October - Hohenlohe becomes German Chancellor (till Oct 1900)
1894 1 November - Tsar Alexander II dies and Nicoholas II becomes Tsar

1895

1895 - Cuban Revolution led by Rizal against Spain ends in failure
1885 - British army Chitral Expedition
1895 April - Japanese and Chinese conclude Treaty of Shimonoseki among various European powers expressing self-interests and resulting in recognition of Korean independance and surrendering Port Arthur and Liaotung Peninsula to Japan; Russians upset over Japanese gains
1895 June - Opening of Kiel Canal in Germany
1895 21 June - Salisbury returns to power in Britain
1895 August - Kaiser Wilhelm visits England for Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations
1895 December - Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) arrested jailed in St Petersburg and exiled to Siberia for three years
1895 29 December - Jameson Raid into the Transavaal
1895 - Armenian massacres in Turkey, during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II

1896

1896 - Philipine Revolution led by Aguinaldo against Spain begins
1896 - Charles E. Callwell, British Army, publishes Small Wars - Their Principles and Practice as a practical treatise on guerrilla and 'small wars' conflict
1896 3 January - Wilhelm II sends telegram to Kruger congratulating him on preserving independance of Transvaal
1896 1 March - Italian disaster at Battle of Adowa (Ethiopia); Italians appeal for British aid unsuccessfully
1896 13 March - British Government decides to retake Khartoum and Sudan and funding voted (British decision to keep Egypt and not evacuate soon followed)
1896 14 August - Gossler becomes German Minister of War (till 15 Aug 1903)

1897

1897 Greco-Turkish War
1897 22 January - Waldersee's memorandum on coup d`etat for Wiliam II against the Reichstag
1897 January-February - Russian attempt to set up anti-German coalition with British in Far East and attempt fails
1897 17 March - Russians formally demand lease of Port Arthur
1897 5 May - Austro-Russian "agreement"to maintain status-quo in Balkans for next ten years
1897 15 June - Tirpitz nominated State Secretary for the I.G. Navy
1897 20 October - Bülow nominated State Secretary in the German Foreign Office
1897 November - Germans occupy Chinese port of Kaio-Chow for coaling station following murder of two German missionaries there
1897 December - Zwartberg Hottentots revolt against Germans and are suppressed
1897 25 December - Italians hand Kassala over to Egyptian Army

1898

1898 25 March - British demand China leases Wei-hai-wei for port facilities; beginning of Chinese partition. Increasing Russian concerns over Far East/China (and becomes a feature of each springtime over the next half-dozen years)
1898 26 March - Germany's "Naval Bill" passes the Reichstag
1898 1 April - Chamberlain suggests an alliance with Germany
1898 8 April - Battle of the Atbara
1898 10 April - Reichstag ratifies First Navy Law
1898 25 April - Spanish American War begins
1898 30 April - German Navy League Founded
1898 13 August - U.S. Army captures Manila
1898 30 August - Anglo-German agreement over Portuguese colonies
1898 September-November - Fashoda Crisis (Anglo-French confrontation and possibility of war over French attempts to claim Sudan)
1898 4 September - Funeral of Gordon at Khartoum
1898 9 September - Kitchener starts for Fashoda
1898 22 September - Battle of Gedaref
1898 24 September - Kitchener returns from Fashoda
1898 October - Wilhem II pays second visit to Ottoman Empire and suggests building the Bagdad railway
1898 November - Spanish American War ends with Treaty of Paris; U.S. gains Philipines, the Sulus, and Guam in return for payment of $20 million to Spain; Cuban independance
1898 December - Moro revolt against U.S. occupation of Philipines, lasts until 1903, with sporadic fighting until 1914

1899

1899 4 February - Aguinaldo leads Philipine Insurrection against U.S. forces in Philipines
1899 16 February - French President Faure suffers a heart attack during a tryst with the wife of a French painter (Steinheil); his wife called - Faure dies later that evening
1899 April - Anglo-French agreement on Meditteranean spheres on influence
1899 May-July - First Hague Peace Conference
1899 Summer - Churchill runs for Parliament and loses
1899 September - Dreyfus pardoned after French Army yields to public pressure but repercussions continued with the public being suspicious of the army's role in the matter; French Army funds are subsequently cut back over the years
1899 November - The Hay 'Open Door' Note on China
1899 12 October - Boer War begins
1899 20-29 November - Wilhelm II visits England


1900

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1900 January - 'Bunderesrath' Affair
1900 29 July - King Humbert of Italy assasinated by Bresci (Italian anarchist); Victor Emmanuel III becomes king
1900 February - Relief of Ladysmith
1900 8 March - Landsdowne asks Germany to join Britain in imposing on France a localization of any Russo-Japanese War
1900 May - Relief of Mafeking
1900 Spring-Summer - Peasant uprisings in China leading to Boxer Rebellion
1900 14 June - Reichstag accepts Second Navy Law as proposed by Tirpitz (supplementals in 1906, 1908, and 1912)
1900 June-August - Boxer Rebellion spreads
1900 1 October - Churchill elected to Parliament by a margin of 22 votes during the "Khaki Election"
1900 16 October - Anglo-German agreement over China
1900 17 October - Bülow becomes Reich Chancellor (till 14 Jul 1909)
1900 December - Delcassé offers Italians pledge that that French would not encroach in Tripoli
1900 31 December - Murder of English missionary in China

1901

1901 - Germans develop plans for the submarine U-1
1901 20 January - Kaiser Wilhelm arrives in London to visit Queen Victoria as she was dying
1901 22 January - Death of Queen Victoria; Edward VII becomes King of Great Britain
1901 24 March - Japanese demand withdrawal of proposed agreement between Russia and China; Russians back off
1901 31 May - European troops begin landing in China to supress the Boxers
1901 20 June - Siege of European legations by Boxers begins
1901 September - U.S. President McKinley shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, while attending Pan-American Exposition and dies eight days later
1901 October-December - Collapse of Anglo-German alliance negotiations and also Russo-Japanese talks
1901 November - "British Foreign Policy;" article by "A.B.C." published in The National Review
1901 18 November - Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, providing the United States with powers of exclusive regulation and management for the proposed Panama Canal
1901 December - Oberst Alfred Redl begins spying on his government for the Russians

1902

1902 30 January - Anglo-Japanese Alliance formed giving Japanese greater prestige in Far East
1902 20 March - Franco-Russian declaration on China (intentions of Franco-Russian protectorate)
1902 June - Fisher returns to the Admiralty as Second Sea Lord (staffing ships with officers and men)
1902 28 June - Triple Alliance renewed
1902 September - Turks allow Russians to send four torpedo-boats north through Starits of Mamarra renewing the "straits Question" and creates ending of the Mediterranean Entente
1902 November - Franco-Spanish plans to divide Morrocco ruined by British meddling and exposure of treaty terms
1902 November - German discussions with Turks over Bagdad railway increase and military aid to Turkey begun
1902 22 November - Friedrich Krupp suicides amid charges of homosexuality; business goes to his daughter Bertha
1902 December - Widespread revolt in Turkey against Sultan Abdul Aziz marking; revolt suppressed but Sultan's power diminished afterwards
1902 25 December - Reichstag accepts higher agricultural tarriffs

1903

1903 April - Bezobrazov becomes Sec. of State in Russia and his hard-line policies make Far Eastern compromise impossible; Japanese begin to see talks with Russians as futile
1903 May - Edward VII visits Paris
1903 16 June - Reichstag elections with gains for S.P.D.
1903 July - Loubet of France visits London
1903 July until April 1904 Anglo-French talks settling territorial claims between the countries (Siam, Newfoundland, Egpyt, West Africa, Morrocco, etc) eventually leading to the British joining the Entente in April 1904
1903 15 August - Gen Karl v Einem becomes German Minister of War (till Aug. 1909)

1904

1904 Kaiser tells Leopold II of Belgium that a war between France and Germany would involve Belgium; during another visit in 1910, the Kaiser says otherwise)
1904 4 February - Russo-Japanese War begins; Japanese attack Port Arthur
1904 31 March - Kaiser makes his Tangier's speech and Morrocan problem
1904 8 April - Entente Cordiale between France and Britain (sponsord by Landsdowne, Foreign Secretary, 1900-1905)
1904 May - Fisher becomes First Sea Lord of the Admiralty (director of operations) till fall of 1906
1904 28 July - Russo-German commercial treaty signed
1904 3 October - French and Spanish agreement on Morrocco and city of Fez
1904 3 October (till 1908) Herrero and Hottentot insurrection in German South-West Africa
1904 21 October - Dogger Bank Incident (Russian fleet fires on British fishing-vessels)
1904 November - Theodore Roosevelt elected President of the United States
1904 23 November - Russo-German alliance negotiations following Dogger Bank incident break-down

1905

1905 22 January -Russian procession to Winter Palace attacked by troops and police (Bloody Sunday)
1905 1 February - German commercial treaties with Russia and Austria-Hungary ratified mid-February Grand Duke Serge assasinated in Moscow
1905 31 March - Wilhelm II visits Tangiers (concurrent with this, the British General Staff was holding theoretical war games on maps -- assuming the Germans might invade France through Belgium)
1905 William Haywood and others found the International Workers of the World ('Wobblies')
1905 30 April - Anglo-French military conversations begin
1905 27 May - Battle of Tsushima (Russian Navy routed)
1905 6 June - Declassé falls from power
1905 23 July - Treaty of Björkö
1905 28 September - Morocco Conference agreed
1905 5 October - H.M.S. Dreadnought keel laid down
1905 October - (middle) Russia affected by a general strike
1905 30 October - Tsar issues Imperial Manifesto creating a semi-constituional monarchy
1905 1 November - Rasputin first meets the Romanov family
1905 December - Schlieffen plan developed
1905 December - Churchill becomes under secreatry in British Colonial Office
1905 5 December - Campbell-Bannerman forms Liberal ministry

1906

1906 1 January - Moltke succeds Schlieffen as Chief of German General Staff (till 14 Septeber 1914)
1906 12 January Landslide victory of Liberals in British elections
1906 16 January Algerciras Conference opens
1906 31 January Anglo-French military conversations authorized by Grey (who at this time thinks England has a moral obligation to France against Germany); Wilson sent to France; Cabinet not informed of these talks until 1911
1906 March - London Daily Mail begins serializing "The Invasion of 1910" by William Le Queux (plot: Germans invade England and win); the story is made into a play that ran for 18 months
1906 5 April - Bülow has heart attack in Reichstag and is unable to work for several months
1906 8 April - Algecrias Act signed
1906 1 May beginning of Eulenberg scandal in German (Kaiser's close friend accused of homosexuality); accusations by Hardin
1906 May - Tax reform passes Reichstag
1906 May - Russian Duma meets for the first time
1906 5 June - Third German Navy Law (Novelle 1906) ratified
1906 7 July - Tsar asks Stolypin to become Prime Minister and shortly thereafter he dissolves the Duma
1906 August - Bertha Krupp marries Gustav (Krupp) von Bohlen und Halbach, he taking part of her surname to maintain firm's continuity
1906 8 September - Churchill meets the Kaiser while undersecretary at Colonial Office, discussing German colonial affairs in southern Africa
1906 13 December - Bülow dissolves Reichstag

1907

1907 (Sinn Féin founded in Dublin)
1907 1 January Eyre Crowe's (British Foreign Office) memorandum on English interest in preserving balance of power and joining 2nd most powerful country in Europe (France); comments on German foreign policy and confrontation possible February - Russian Second Duma meets for the first time; dissolved three months later by the Tsar 1907 25 January Reichstag elections
1907 February - Bülow Bloc formed
1907 April - Eulenberg scandal spreads, Hardin accuses three of the Kaiser's aides-de-camp of homosexuality
1907 15 June - Second Hague Peace Conference Opens
1907 30 July - Russo-Japanese War ends; Russia begins focusing on Balkans instead of Far East for influence peddling
1907 31 August - Anglo-Russian Entente; agreement over Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet
1907 23 October - Trial of Hardin (Moltke-Hardin trial) for libel begins in Berlin (dropped on technicality); Kaiser upset by trial and implications
1907 11 November - Kaiser reluctantly vists England during Eulenberg scandal and interviewed by Haldane of the Daily Telegraph

1908

1908 3 January Hardin's second trial ends with a conviction for libel; ordered to prison but set free on bond
1908 16 February - Wilhelm II writes to Lord Tweedmouth
1908 8 April - Asquith becomes Prime Minister and shortly after Churchill is part of Cabinet
1908 8 June - Eulenberg charged with perjury in Hardin case and arrested
1908 14 June - Fourth German Navy Law (Novelle 1908) ratified
1908 29 June - Hardin's second libel trial begins but is suspended in September, resumed the summer of 1909 and then postponed indefinitely again due to Eulenberg being too ill to stand trial
1908 July - Young Turks come to power and offer to become allies with Britain but are rebuked by Churchill
1908 2 July - Izvolski of Russia offers to support Austria annexation of Bosnia and Hercegovina if Austria would support Russian intentions on the "Straits"
1908 12-13 August - Hardinge visits Wilhelm II at Kronberg
1908 19 August - Austrian Government decides to annex Bosnia and Hercegovina
1908 15 September - Meeting at Buchlau (Buchlov) between Izvolski and Aehrenthal (of Austria) to discuss Balkans and Straits
1908 2 October - Details of Buchlau Agreement given to Russian Council of Ministers; Council upset
1908 5 October - Bulgaria declares itself independant of Turkey
1908 6 October - Austria proclaims annexation of Bosnia and Hercgovina; Izvolsky feels humiliiated following blunt German diplomatic rebuttals that follow
1908 6 October - Haldane's Daily Telegraph publishes interview with Kaiser
1908 28 October - Daily Telegraph interview of Wilhelm II published creates backlash in Germany
1908 10-11 November - Reichstag debates on Daily Telegraph Affair

1909

1909 January Conrad (of Austria) writes Moltke asking what Germany would do if Austria attacked Serbia and Russians intervened over Bosnia
1909 21 January Moltke writes Conrad, replying if Russia mobilizes, Germany will as well, using Bosnia as justification
1909 9 February - H.M.S. Dreadnaught launched
1909 9 Februrary Franco-German Agreement over Morocco recognizing French political and German economic rights there
1909 26 February - French Ambassador to Russia tells Russian Government that the Bosnian situation should not be any of Russia or France's concern
1909 12 March - British Navy bill accepted after "Navy Scare"
1909 24 March - Collapse of Bülow Bloc
1909 12 June - Hansabund founded
1909 24 June - Bülow tax reform bill defeated
1909 14 July - Theobold v Bethmann-Hollweg becomes German Chancellor (till July 1917)
1909 25 July - Louis Bleriot first man to fly across the Channel from France to England
1909 11 August - von Herringen becomes German Minister of War (till 7 Jun 1913)
1909 December - British General Wilson visits Foch and listens to lectures followed by private talks; invites Foch to London; Wilson tours Franco-German border for 10 days by train and bicycle and concludes Germans would invade France through Belgium


1910
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1910 January General Wilson goes back to France and revisits Foch in Paris for further talks; Foch visits Wilson and General Staff in London later in the year. (Wilson asks Foch what the smallest British military force that would be of value to France if Germany attacked, prompting the reply of "one British soldier")
1910 15 January British general elections
1910 14 February - Churchill becomes Home Secretary
1910 6 May - Edward VII dies suddenly and succeeded by George V
1910 27 May - Reform of Prussian three-class voting system fails


1911
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1911 9 February - Churchill speech declaring British fleet a necessity and a German fleet a luxury 1911 March - British plans for B.E.F. mobilization in event of British intervention in general contintental war ready (schedule of mobilization)
1911 21 May - French occupy Fez (Morocco)
1911 30 June - Messiny named French War Minister
1911 July - during the Agasir crisis, Hoseph Cailloux (then French Premier) begins secret negotiations with the Germans concurrent with Cambon's public ones; these private negotiations are discovered by the French who have broken one of the German diplomatic codes (the "Green Dispatches") and Cailloux is forced to resign when Poincare is alerted to this information
1911 1 July - Panther at port of Agadir
1911 July - Asquith appoints Chruchill to Cabinet's Committee of Imperial Defense (formed 1904)
1911 20 July - Dubail-Wilson agreement signed agreeing to British mobilization following intervention, specifiying 150,000 men and 67,000 horses to be landed at Havre, Boulogne and Rouen between 4th-12th day of mobilization and be sent to Mauberge region and ready for action on 13th day
1911 21 July - Lloyd George warns Germany in his "Mansion House speech", stiffening German opinion towards his ideas; speech primarily meant as support for the French; during "crisis" period British make some preparations for war against Germany
1911 13 August - Churchill sends Asquith a memorandum analyzing a Euopean war in which Germany atacks France through Belgium and recommends use of British Army to aid France
1911 23 August - Asquith calls a secret meeting of Imperial Defense Committee asking for prepartion of war plans (Grey, Lloyd George and Churchill present among others) Gen. Henry Wilson discusses Anglo-French "plans" against German invasion of Belgium and France
1911 6 September - Stolypin assasinated in the Kiev Opera House in front of the Tsar
1911 29 Spetember Tripoli War between Italy and Turkey begins
1911 10 October - (until 1912) Chinese Revoltion begins at Wuhan
1911 25 October - Churchill becomes First Lord of the Admiralty and invites Fisher to meet him
1911 (till 1914) Mexican revolution; fighting begins in November
1911 4 November - Morocco Agreement signed
1911 4 November - Charykov (of Russia) offers Turks a guarantee of the status quo if Straits open to Russian warships
1911 9-10 November - Reichstag debates Morocco Agreement


1912
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1912-1913 Irish Home Rule problem occupies British domestic politics
1912-1913 Krupp "Kornwalzer"stolen secret militiary documents scandal emerges and trials; Krupp not penalized
1912 January British War Staff established
1912 January Caillaux ousted in France and followed by Poincaré
1912 - French Army General Staff makes the offensive à outrance official French military doctrine in it's Regulations for the Conduct of Large Units
1912 January - French Senate initiates an investigative committee into Cailloux's role in the Agadir Crisis and suspicions about Calloux's "Germanophilia" became widespread; these sentiments led to the fall of the "Cailloux" government during 1912; Cailloux still maintained enough political power that he was back in his "old" post of Minister of Finance
1912 January - Reichstag elections with S.P.D. emerging as the strongest party
1912 February - Joffre tells (French) Supreme War Council that he was counting on British for 6 infantry and 1 cavalry divisions to be ready for action in Mauberge area by 15th day of mobilization
1912 7 February - Kaiser announces Army and Navy Bills
1912 8 February - Haldane arrives in Berlin for talks
1912 March - Churchill announces enlarging the RN, and removal of fleet from Malta to home waters (and with the French realigning their fleet)
1912 13 March - Balkan League between Serbia and Bulgaria formed
1912 22 March - New German naval program begun marking failure of Anglo-German talks on naval forces
1912 April - (2 week period) Turks close Straits fearing Italian attack with economic results in southern Russia creating tensions there
1912 15 April - Cambon proposes to Nicholson a renewal of Landsdowne's "May 1905 offer" of an alliance; Grey writes Cambon with promises but no formal arrangement
1912 21 May - Military bills and Lex Bassermann-Erzberger passed by Reichstag
1912 29 May - Greece joins Balkan League 1912 17 August - Poincaré tells Sazonov (of Russia) of verbal agreement by England to aid France if Germany attacked France (possibly posturing)
1912 15 October - Peace between Italy and Turkey completed
1912 17 October - First Balkan War begins; Montenegro declares war on Turkey, soon joined by Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia
1912 17 November - Poincaré tells Izvolski that France will back Russia in a war against Austria (which he said was backed by Germany)
1912 December - Haldane tells German Ambassador that England would aid France if attacked by Germany and could not allow the balance of power to be changed
1912 8 December - Wilhelm II calls military conference at Potsdam (over Haldane's comment) note: Some scholars (i.e., Fisher) see this as the turning point when Germany formulated plans for a war with Britain, but there was no follow-up on this.


1913

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1913 - Edison develops first talking motion pictures
1913 - Wilson visits French General Staff every other month and reviews Foch's manoeuvres of XX Corp guarding the border)
1913 5 January Jagow succeds Kidelen-Wächter in the German Foreign Office
1913 February - Russian celebrations for 300 years of Romanovs
1913 26 March - Churchill proposes Naval Holiday
1913 May - Treaty of London ending First Balkan War and Albania given international recognition; various territorial adjustments
1913 May - French General Staff adopts Plan 17
1913 24 May - Oberst Alfred Redl, Deputy Chief of the Austrian Inteligence Bureau comitts suicide prior to being arrested as a Russian spy
1913 4 June Prussian Diet elections
1913 7 June - Erich v Falkenhayn becomes German Minister of War (till 21 Jan 1915)
1913 30 June - Second Balkan War begins with Bulgarian attack on Greece and Serbia
1913 30 June - German Army Bill and Tax Compromise accepted
1913 29 July - Anglo-Turkish understanding supporting German efforts in Turkey to build Bagdad railway
1913 August - Lusitania undergoes extensive modifications permitting guns to be mounted and ammunition holds and ammo elevators installed prior to registration as a Reserve RN cruiser
1913 7 August - French Army bill ratified ("Three Year Law")
1913 10 August Peace of Bucharest ends Second Balkan War and marked by territorial adjustments
1913 23 August - Churchill prepares contingency plans paper for Britain to send troops to aid France in war against Germany
1913 28 August "Kartell der schaffenden Stände" proclaimed
1913 30 August - Churchill writes Grey that Britain should aid Russia and France in a war with Germany
1913 1 October - Greatest German Army increase since 1871; peace strength increased by 136,000 to 760,908 NCO's and men
1913 18 October - Churchill again proposes a Naval Holiday
1913 18 October - Berchtold (Austria) sends an ultimatum to Serbia demanding withdrawal of forces that crossed into Albania; Serbs withdrew
1913 26 October - Kaiser meets Berchtold (Austrian Foregin Minister) in Vienna discussing possible Germanic-Slav (Serb) confrontation
1913 October-November - Zabern Affair in Germany
1913 October - French Army adopts new field regulations calling for offensive
1913 November - Miguel Almereyda begins publication of Le Bonnet Rouge, a weekly newspaper for the militant left in France; during 1914 it begins to appear daily
1913 November - Liman von Sanders given total command of Turkish army and in charge at Istanbul resulting in open Russian animosity towards Germans in Turkey; Russia becoming increasingly more anti-German and belligerent
1913 9 December - Liman von Sanders Commission to Turkey seen off by Kaiser
1913 November - King Albert of Belgium invited to Berlin; Kaiser tells King that he feels war with France inevitable; similar statements by Moltke
1913 9 December - Liman von Sanders Commission to Turkey seen off by Kaiser
1913 14 December - Liman von Sanders arrives in Constantinople


1914
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1914 5 January - Gaston Calmette, editor of Le Figaro begins running a series of political and personal exposés on Cailloux
1914 20 January Sazonov and Tsar discuss Liman von Sanders in Turkey and competeing with Austria over binding Poles to the Russian state
1914 February - Durnovo (Russian State Council member) writes memo to Tsar regarding Russian role in war against Germany; assumes that Britain wouldn't be able to help much and territorial gains wouldn't be worthwhile and predicted a war would lead to social revolution
1914 16 March - Joseph Caillaux's wife buys a Browning automatic pistol in the morning and late that afternoon shoots Gaston Calmette the editor of Le Figaro; Cailloux resigns his political post in the Cabinet; Calmette dies that evening
1914 April - (till March 1916) U.S. troops stationed on U.S./Mexico border during Mexican Civil War; Villa's raid on Columbus, N.M., 1916, and subsequent U.S. incursion into Mexico; 1916-1917; U.S. forces begin Veracruz expedition in April, lasts until November 1914.
1914 Spring; according to Tuchman, the Anglo-French military arrangements are completed even to point of details on billeting arrangements for British troops)
1914 May - Anglo-Russian naval talks begin attempting to determine co-operation between fleets
1914 12 May - Moltke and Conrad (of Austria) meet in Karlsbad)
1914 13 June - Kaiser Wilhelm II and Franz Ferdinand meet for the last time at Konopischt, Serbia and Russia discussed
1914 28 June - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife at Sarajevo
1914 30 June - German Ambassador in Vienna advises Austrians against taking hasty steps
1914 July - Trial of Madame Cailloux for the murder of Gaston Calmette; French public absorbed and distracted by details of the trial and surrounding scandals; on July 28th, the verdict of "not guilty" was rendered
1914 4 July - Hoyos mission to Berlin taking two notes; one being Austrian plans for Balkans (primarily Roumania) and a note from Franz Josef
1914 5 July - Austrian Ambassador in Berlin delivers handwritten note from Franz Josef to Kaiser, over luncheon; the Kaiser`s 'blank cheque'
1914 6 July - German Ambassador informs Grey that the crisis would be serious since Austria with German support was planning to act against Serbia
1914 6 July - Wilhelm talks with Krupp and says he will not "chicken out" this time
1914 6 July - Wilhelm II leaves for Norwegian cruise (until 27 July)
1914 7 July - Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council meets
1914 8 July - Ultimatum to Serbia being prepared
1914 11 July - German Naval HQ sends telegram to Admiral Spee on Scharnhorst in pacific adivisory that England would probably be hostile in event of war
1914 14 July - Tisza (Hungarian Prime Minister) concedes to military action against Serbia thereby
1914 14 July - Tschirschky tells Bethmann-Hollweg the Austrian note is composed to preclude acceptance by the Serbs
1914 15 July - Conrad goes on holiday
1914 15 July - Poincaré and Viviani leave for St. Petersburg
1914 16 July - Grey tells Russian Ambassador that Germans can no longer be counted on as peacemakers under all circumstances
1914 18 July - Admiralty Grand Review of the First Fleet (223 ships)
1914 19 July - Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council meets and approves ultimatum to be handed over on 23 July; course of action planned
1914 19 July - Jagow plants article in Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung advocating localisation of Austro-Serb conflict
1914 20 July - Poincaré and Viviania arrive in St Peterburg
1914 20 July - Churchill orders First Fleet not to disperse
1914 21 July - Franz Josef approves ultimatum at Bad Ischl; text of ultimatum sent to Berlin
1914 21 July - Cambon asks Jagow if he knows anything of the Austrian notes contents
1914 21 July - Sazonov tells Austrian Ambassador that Russia will try to persuade Serbs to make reasonable amends
1914 21 July - George V summons all parties to a conference at Buckingham Palace to discus the Irish situation; Grey reports to Cabinet and discussion of European situation follows
1914 23 July - Austria delivers ulitmatum to Serbia at 6 PM; limited Austrian mobilization at Temesvar and Austrian fleet gathers at Semlin
1914 23 July - Poincaré and Viviani leave St. Petersburg for state visit to Oslo and Copenhagen
1914 23 July - Lloyd George tells House of Commons that relations with Germany were better than they have been for years
1914 24 July - Asquith writes a friend that he expected a war between Austria and Germany on one side, and France and Russia on the other ( "a real Armageddon") and hopes Britain can remain out of it
1914 24 July - Austria-Hungary informs France, Russia, and Britain of ultimatum at 9 AM; Grey informed at 2 PM
1914 24 July - Grey informs Cabinet of contents of ultimatum and proposes to mediate among the powers
1914 24 July - German ambassadors transmit note in Paris, London, and St Petersburg that conflict be localised
1914 24 July - Paul Cambon proposes conference and announces support of Russia in case of Russians at war with Austria
1914 24 July - Delbrück meets Reich and Prussian authourities
1914 24 July - Russian Council of Ministers considers partial mobilization and asks Austria to extend the time for the ultimatum to Serbia; Sazanov says Serbia would become a protectorate of the Central Powers, loss of Russia's historic mission, and loss of prestige of Russia in Balkans
1914 24 July - Churchill sends Fleet advisory notice of crisis, but not a full alert
1914 24 July - Italian Government takes conciliatory stance towards crisis and attempts to maintain interests in Balkans and Adriatic without war
1914 25 July - Serbian Parliament meets in special session and sends reply to ultimatum
1914 25 July - King Peter of Serbia moves capital from Belgrade to Kraguyavatz
1914 25 July - Vienna breaks off diplomatic relations with Belgrade and Serbian envoy dismissed
1914 25 July - Austro-Hungarian Government declares martial law and war measures begun
1914 25 July - Moltke and Falkenhayn return to Berlin; Wilhelm II leaves Norway to return to Berlin
1914 25 July - Wilhelm II orders return of Fleet
1914 25 July - French Ministerial Council urges immediate return of Poincaré and Vivianni
1914 25 July - Paris and Berlin crowds demonstrate in favor of war
1914 25 July - Grey again proposes mediation
1914 25 July - Jagow forwards Grey's proposal to Vienna
1914 25 July - Russian Crown Council meets with Tsar and approves resolutions of Ministerial Council; Tsar orders preparations for mobilization
1914 25 July - Italian Government shows no interest in suporting Austria
1914 26 July - Royal Navy holds test mobilization for one day and plans to disperse next morning (27th)
1914 26 July - Serbian army begins mobilizing and panic in Belgrade
1914 26 July - Russians begin preparatory measure for war (not mobilization)
1914 26 July - Russia asks Germany to exert moderating influence on Austria-Hungary; Germans try to localize war
1914 26 July - Grey proposes Four-Power conference of Ambassadors in London
1914 26 July - Austria mobilises on Russian frontier
1914 26 July - Austrian reservist in U.S. are warned to return for service; some Serbs in New York make ready to return home
1914 26 July - Emergency meeting of French Cabinet
1914 26 July - France takes precautionary military measures and French fleet order to prepare; French officers and men excused for harvesting recalled to their units
1914 26 July - Italy masses its fleet
1914 26 July - Belgium increases its army to enforce neutrality
1914 27 July - Wilhelm II returns to Potsdam/ Berlin
1914 27 July - France accepts Grey's proposals of mediation while telling Russians the French army would fully stand by Russia militarily
1914 27 July - French units in Morocco ordered to France
1914 27 July - Bethmann-Hollweg rejects idea of Four Power conference
1914 27 July - (AM) Churchill orders Royal Navy to be kept together and not disperse as planned and later informs Grey of his action
1914 27 July - Poincaré cancels visit to Copenhagen and Oslo and starts to return home
1914 27 July - Anti-war demonstrations in Paris
1914 28 July - Churchill orders fleet to sail to its war base at Scapa Flow
1914 28 July - Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia; Austrian reservists in U.S. are ordered to return to Austria
1914 28 July - King Peter of Serbia goes to Nish
1914 28 July - Prince Henry of Prussia reports to Wilhem II on his conversations with George V
1914 28 July - Wilhelm issues 'Halt-in-Belgrade' appeal shortly after seeing the Serb reply to the Austrian ultimatum
1914 28 July - Wilhelm II appeals to Tsar's monarchial solidarity; crosses the Tsar's telegram to him
1914 28 July - Russia orders mobilization of four western military districts and Black Sea coastline black-out
1914 28 July - Grey hopes that Austria-Hungary and Russia can be brought to negotiate
1914 28 July - Bethmann-Hollweg meets Südekem (S.P.D.)
1914 28 July - French General Staff informs Russian military attache in Paris that French Army is fully ready and active to do her duty as an ally of Russia
1914 28 July - French Army moves to the frontier areas
1914 28 July - French Socialists demonstrate against war; German Socialist anti-war rallies
1914 28 July - Italian Government orders concentration of 1st and 2nd naval squadrons at Gaeta and Italian vessels ordered home
1914 29 July - Churchill persuades Asquith to authorize "Warning Telegram" to fleet
1914 29 July - Nicholas II telegrams Kaiser, start of "Willy-Nicky" telegrams in English over next three days
1914 29 July - Vienna refuses to negotiate with Serbia, Belgrade shelled by Austrian artillery
1914 29 July - Franz Josef sends letter to Tsar Nicholas
1914 29 July - Austrian forces repulsed at Losnitza
1914 29 July - Montenegrins occupy Cattaro
1914 29 July - Serbs blow up bridges at Semlin
1914 29 July - Belgian army reserves called up
1914 29 July - Trade in Antwerp "paralyzed"
1914 29 July - Tschirischky transmits Kaiser's 'Halt-in-Belgrade" proposal
1914 29 July - Poincaré and Vivianni return to Paris and hold Cabinet council meeting
1914 29 July - Business in Paris almost at standstill
1914 29 July - Kaiser holds military councils and issues German warnings to Russia
1914 29 July - Moltke sends a memorandum to Chancellor and demands general mobilization of German Armed forces; Moltke also send telegram to Conrad suggesting Austria begin full mobilization and Germany would follow
1914 29 July - Bethmann-Hollweg makes moves to keep Britain neutral; final draft of ultimatum to Belgian Government sent to German ambassador in Brussels
1914 29 July - Grey informs Lichnowsky (German Ambassador) that Britain could not remain neutral in the event of a continental war; proposes mediation
1914 29 July - Grey and Cabinet begin meeting daily, sometimes twice or more a day over next several days; following this meeting "Warning Telegram" sent to all British naval, military and colonial stations warning that war was possible
1914 29 July - (and 30th) R.N. leaves Portsmouth
1914 29 July - British and German fleets in Far East begin mobilizing
1914 29 July - King of Montenegro's yacht evades capture by Austrian destroyers
1914 29 July - Russian general mobilization ordered, but revoked by Tsar later that same evening; Russian hopes for Serb victory; Russians black-out Baltic coastline
1914 29 July - Kaiser holds Crown Council at Potsdam over possibility of British involvement over France
1914 30 July - Bethmann-Hollweg unsuccessfully tries to reverse German policy
1914 30 July - Belgian forts provisioned and Belgian Government forbids export of horses or vehicles
1914 30 July - Holland declares neutrality
1914 30 July - Austria-Hungary agrees to negotiations with Russia but refuses to delay operations against Serbia
1914 30 July - Austria expels newspaper correspondants from Semlin
1914 30 July - Moltke presses for general mobilization
1914 30 July - Berliner Lokalanzeiger announces German mobilization but issue is withdrawn; official denial
1914 30 July - Prussian State Ministry meets at Potsdam
1914 30 July - Austria-Hungary orders general mobilization including men up to 50 years old
1914 30 July - Russian general monilization ordered for 31 July; Russian Government takes control of railways
1914 30 July - Unionist papers in England call for Britain to go to war against Germany if France attacked
1914 30 July - Halifax garrison in Canada begins preparations
1914 30 July - French troops guard railways; French Army withdraws 10 kilmeters along entire border with Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany; Germans covering troops along border. In Paris, nothing yet known of Austrian and Russian mobilization.
1914 30 July - Guiseppe Garibaldi says he will fight for Serbia if Italy remains neutral
1914 31 July - Vienna rejects international conference and orders general mobilization
1914 31 July - Austrian Government assures Italy Government that more territory is not wanted
1914 31 July - Russian general mobilization becomes known in Berlin at noon
1914 31 July - Russian Council of Ministers meet at Peterhof and Government does not reply to German note
1914 31 July - Russian reserves called up
1914 31 July - Russians blow up railway bridge on Vienna-Warsaw line
1914 31 July - Serbs halt Austrians at Semendria and on Bosnia frontier
1914 31 July - 10 AM London Stock Exchange closes in a wave of financial panic (Monday a Bank Holiday) started in New York
1914 31 July - Reichstag summoned
1914 31 July - Kaiser proclaims 'state of imminent war' at 1 PM (one hour after Russian mobilization learned of); martial law declared and Kaiser makes speeches
1914 31 July - Crown Prince Wilhelm assigned military command
1914 31 July - Germany refuses to mediate and issues ultimatum to Russia to halt demobilization within 24 hours
1914 31 July - Germans send ultimatum to Paris demanding to know if France will stay neutral and if so, to hand over forts at Toul and Verdun; given 18 hours to reply
1914 31 July - French Government prepares to refuse German ultimatum; Paul Cambon goes to see Grey for British committment
1914 31 July - Churchill orders confiscation of Turkish ships Sultan Osman and Reshadieh cancelling delivery
1914 31 July - French socialist leader Jean Jaurès assassinated in Paris
1914 31 July - French Ministerial Council decides to order mobilization for 1 August
1914 31 July - Grey asks French and German Governments if they will respect Belgian neutrality; France agrees, Germans
evasive; British Cabinet close to abandoning France; Tory leaders be called to London to confer on crisis
1914 31 July - French answer to German note about Russia
1914 31 July - French Government mobilizes steamship La France for Government service
1914 31 July - Belgian Army mobilizes
1914 31 July - Dutch Army ordered to mobilize
1914 31 July - Belgian State Railway schedule of trains into Germany suspended
1914 31 July - Italian Council of Ministers votes to remain neutral
1914 1 August - 2AM Izvolsky (Russian Ambassador) awakens Poincaré, who had retired for the night, and asks what France plans to do
1914 1 August - (morning) Governor of Bank of England visits Lloyd George to tell him that Bank was opposed to British intervention; Asquith gets similar messages from others in financial community
1914 1 August - French Army ordered to begin mobilization at 3:40 PM; French Government says it will respect Belgian neutrality
1914 1 August - Cambon asks Grey if Britain will intervene and asks if "honor" was erased from the British dictionary
1914 1 August - Delcassé becomes War Minister in France
1914 1 August - German Ambassador prepares to leave Paris and American Ambassador and Council will look after German affairs there
1914 1 August - War rallies in Vienna and pressure on Austrian Government to keep war localized and to negotiate with Russia
1914 1 August - German ultimatum to Russia expires at noon; Germany declares war on Russia at 12:52 PM and begins mobilization at 5 PM when announcement made to crowd at Imperial palace gates
1914 1 August - German ultimatum to France expires at 1 PM
1914 1 August - (ca 7 PM) Kaiser orders troops planning to invade Luxemburg to halt and tells Molke that it may be possible to prevent war with France and Moltke says that once mobilization began stopping war with France was no longer possible
1914 1 August - Reichstag convened
1914 ! August - German reservists in China begin concentrating at Tsing-tau; German officals in South Africa begin returning home
1914 1 August - Russian forces fire on German patrol near Prostken
1914 1 August - Continued hopes in Berlin that Britain might stay neutral
1914 1 August - Belgian Government buys the entire wheat supply on market in Antwerp
1914 1 August - Special meeting of British Cabinet (night session); Churchill asks to mobilize the fleet and call up reserves and is turned down; Grey asks to use fleet to support French in event of Germans in Channel (as promised to French); Lloyd Geroge not in favor of war; on leaving the meeting, Grey tells Churchill he will honor pledge to Cambon and close the Channel with RN
1914 1 August - King George appeals to the Tsar for peace
1914 1 August - London Times denunciation of Germany
1914 1 August - Canadian Cabinet meets and agrees to send its offer of Canadian troops to England
1914 1 August - Italian Government tells Germany that Triple Alliance agreement only applied to a defensive war
1914 1 August - Japanese navy prepares for war
1914 2 August - German troops occupy Luxembourg
1914 2 August - Ambassador Cambon blames Germany for cause of conflict
1914 2 August - French Government declares a state of siege in France and Algiers
1914 2 August - French Socialists desplay patriotism in support of war
1914 2 August - French cut railway communications with Germany and Belgium
1914 2 August - Russian Ambassador in Berlin given passport
1914 2 August - (afternoon) Tsar formally declares war on Germany
1914 2 August - Russians cross German frontier and seize railroad station
1914 2 August - fighting between Russian and German cruisers near Libau; German ships at sea ordered to seek neutral ports
1914 2 August - Germans in Kiao-Chau declare martial law
1914 2 August - German High Seas Fleet captures Wilson Liner Castro and a collier
1914 2 August - Montenegrin King signs mobilization order
1914 2 August - Austrian military cadets commissioned
1914 2 August - Germans and French recall all military reserves at home and abroad
1914 2 August - Two British Cabinet meetings (11AM-2PM and 6:30 PM-8PM); during second meeting Cabinet agrees that if Belgium invaded Britain would declare war
1914 2 August - Trafalgar Square anti-war demonstration evaporates and pro-war sentiments spread in Britain
1914 2 August - German ambassador in Brussels delivers ultimatum to Belgian Government at 8 PM; 12 hour period to reply
1914 2 August - Belgian King holds Council of State at 9 PM-midnight to discuss ultimatum
1914 2 August - Invasion fears in Holland result in plans to flood the country to prevent it
1914 2 August - Belgian guards posted at bridges at Liege and Namur and Belgian "civic guard" called out
1914 2 August - Kitchener orders military censorship for British papers
1914 2 August - Canadian volunteers enlisting for possible war
1914 2 August - Canadian Royal Naval reserve called up
1914 2 August - Italian Cabinet ratifies neutrality declaration but troops called to colors as precautionary measure
1914 2 August - Japanese Emporer summons Council and asks for report on army; Japanese navy warships readied
1914 3 August - 2:30 AM Belgian Council of State re-convenes to approve reply to German ultimatum, over at 4:00 AM; reply given at 7 AM
1914 3 August - Bank Holiday in England; crowds in Whitehall
1914 3 August - British Cabinet meets at 11AM (still unaware of Belgium's plans to refuse ultimatum) and learns of Belgian reply during session; King Albert sends George V telegram asking for Britain to back its treaty obligations towards Belgium; Cabinet sanctions mobilization of Fleet and Army but no decision to send BEF to France yet; Grey says Britain will keep the German Navy out of the Channel
1914 3 August - Haldane sending out mobilization telegrams calling up Reservists and Territorials
1914 3 August - Dense crowds in Whitehall in support of war
1914 3 August - Italy declares neutrality
1914 3 August - Germans seize three towns in Russian Poland
1914 3 August - Tsar calls Russians to war and issues paper on causes of war
1914 3 August - Austrians and Serbs fighting along the Drona River
1914 3 August - Germany declares war on France and German Ambassador leaves Paris; French Ambassador leaves Berlin
1914 3 August - American Ambassador in Moscow will look after German interests in Russia and Eastern Europe
1914 3 August - Belgium rejects German demands
1914 3 August - German-Turkish Treaty concluded
1914 3 August - German Ambassador sees Grey and asks about British intentions and decisions regarding the war
1914 3 August - Grey addresses House of Commons (ca. 3 PM) and debate follows with dinner break; German ultimatum to Belgium becomes known; Redmond promises Irish support
1914 3 August - British ultimatum contemplated being sent to Germany regarding Belgian neutrality
1914 3 August - German declaration of war on France (ca. 5:30 PM)
1914 3 August - Canadian ports of Quebec and Montreal put in charge of military authorities
1914 3 August - Canadian militia called up and reserves prepared to sail for England
1914 4 August - Serbs ban the sending of press dispatches
1914 4 August - German ambassador in Brussel delivers German response to Belgian reply at 6 AM
1914 4 August - 8:02 AM Germans invade Belgium
1914 4 August - 9 AM King Alfred meets Belgian parliament
1914 4 August - German troops cross French border near Mars-La-Tour and Moineville
1914 4 August - Joffre leaves for the frontier
1914 4 August - Riots in Paris
1914 4 August - Noon. King Alfred appeals to Britain and France for military support regarding Belgian neutrality
1914 4 August - British Cabinet meets at 11 AM after hearing of Belgian invasion and issues ultimatum to expire at midnight
1914 4 August - Whitehall filled with crowds in support of British intervention in war
1914 4 August - British ulitmatum transmitted to Berlin and British Ambassador prepares to leave Berlin
1914 4 August - German Government appeals to Italians to honor treaty go unheeded
1914 4 August - Reichstag opens; speech by Kaiser (morning), stops for church services, reconvenes for German Chancellor speech (3 PM); Reichstag support of war and votes for war credits then adjourns (Socialists agree to set diferences aside and vote in support).
1914 4 August - (circa 2 PM and concurrent with Bethmann-Hollweg in Reichstag) Asquith announces to House of Commons that he has a message from King (Mobilization Proclamation) and reads terms of British ultimatum to Germany.
1914 4 August - 7 PM British ultimatum (two parts) becomes known in Berlin; British Amabassador presents it to Bethmann-Hollweg
1914 4 August - circa 9 PM, British intercept German message from Berlin that Germany considers itself at war with Britain the moment the British Ambassador asked for his passport (during delivery of British ultimatum)
1914 4 August - Japanese Government proclamation preparing country for war on behalf of England (war on 23 Aug)
1914 4 August - Canadian Cabinet meeting and mobilzation of Canadian Expeditionary Force begins; reservists sail
1914 4 August - Message of appreciation sent to Canada by King George
1914 4 August - Rival warship off Port of New York; Foreign consulates in U.S. busy with returning nationals
1914 6 August - Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia


WWI Document Archive > Pre - 1914 Documents > Timeline of Events