Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg Biography

Appointed President of the Province of Brandenburg

Appointed Prussian Minister of Interior

Appointed Vice Chancellor

Appointed Prime Minister of Prussia

Directs government policy during negotiations with France over Morocco.

Seeks colonial compensation while attempting to contain the international crisis.

Uses naval pressure to strengthen Germany's colonial bargaining position.

Supports sending the gunboat Panther to Agadir.

Recognizes French predominance in Morocco in exchange for African territory.

Supports the Franco-German agreement transferring parts of French Equatorial Africa to German Cameroon.

Loses a vote of confidence in the Reichstag over the Zabern

Loses a vote of confidence in the Reichstag over the Zabern

Will not invade France if Britain remains neutral but Edward Grey refuses such a deal

Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Bethmann Hollweg and Foreign Secretary Gottlieb von Jagow are instrumental in urging the Austrians to take a tough stand against Serbia

Informs the Austria Germany will support Austria against Serbia, the "blank cheque". Assures Francis-Joseph Germany will not desert Austria during its conflict with Serbia

Informs the Austria Germany will support Austria against Serbia, the "blank cheque". Assures Francis-Joseph Germany will not desert Austria during its conflict with Serbia

Encourages Austro-Hungarian aggression against Serbia with unconditional support

The German Government submit a note to Entente Governments approving Austrian ultimatum to Serbia

The German Government submit a note to Entente Governments approving Austrian ultimatum to Serbia

Proposes a neutrality agreement to Britain guaranteeing France's territory. Advises Vienna to mediate

Proposes a neutrality agreement to Britain guaranteeing France's territory

Learns of Russias mobilization. Declares a "state of imminent war"

Telegrams Count Berchtold asking the Auastrians not to mobilize against Russia

Germany declares war on Russia

Germany declares war on Russia. Demands that France abandon the Francon alliance

Germany demands free passage through Belgium

Germany demands free passage through Belgium

Belgium is asked to accept German protection from a non-existent French attack

Germany calls for a free passage across Belgium but this is refused the following day. Belgium rejects Germany's demand for troop access

German troops cross the Belgian frontier at Vise in the province of Liege

Germany declares war on France

Germany calls for a free passage across Belgium but this is refused the following day. Belgium rejects Germany's demand for troop access

German troops cross the Belgian frontier at Vise in the province of Liege

Germany declares war on France

Makes an address in the Reichstag about the Russian "firebrand"

Bethmann Hollweg protests Britain's decision to uphold Belgian neutrality and dismisses the 1839 guarantee as a 'scrap of paper' during the crisis over Germany's invasion.

Germany declares war on Belgium

Germany suspends the Reichsbank's obligation to redeem banknotes in gold.

Serbia declares war on Germany. Montenegro declares war on Germany

Germany captures Brussels

Japan declares war on Germany

Germany enters France near Lille

Germany declares submarine blockade of Britain, with all approaching ships considered targets, the start of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany treats ships approaching Britain as potential targets after declaring a submarine war zone around the islands.

Germany declares submarine blockade of Britain, with all approaching ships considered targets, the start of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

A German submarine blockade of Great Britain begins

German submarines begin operating against shipping bound for Britain as the declared blockade takes effect.

The Reprisals Order, in which Britain bans all neutral parties from trading with Germany

The Reprisals Order, in which Britain bans all neutral parties from trading with Germany

Germany sinks the Cunard liner Lusitania, 1152 lives are lost including 102 Americans

The sinking intensified diplomatic pressure on Germany because 128 United States citizens were among roughly 1,200 people killed.

Allied aircraft bombs Karlsruhe in retaliation for German bombing of London

The blockade context reflects Germany's submarine campaign against shipping approaching the British Isles.

The German Triple Offensive begins, aiming to destroy the Russian army

The Great Retreat is ordered - Russian forces pull back out of Poland (currently part of Russia), taking machinery and equipment with them

After American outrage, Germany officially stops sinking passenger vessels without warning

German, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian forces push the Serbian army into exile; Serbia falls

After the failure of the Austrian Black Yellow offensive, Germany takes over ultimate control of Austro-Hungarian forces

Hopes for President Woodrow Wilson's mediation come to nothing, and, over Bethmann Hollwegs objections, Hindenburg and Ludendorff force the adoption of unrestricted submarine warfare bringing the US into the war in 1917

Offers an immediate peace to Russia

The Kaiser rejects Bethmanns peace policy

The passage of the Peace Resolution by an alliance of the Social Democratic, Progressive, and Center parties, forces his resignation and replacement by the political nonentity Georg Michaelis

Formally asks the Allied and associated powers to place him on trial instead of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Supreme Council decides to ignore his request

Death of Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg