Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Invasion of France

Germany enters France near Lille

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Gold Redemption Suspended

Germany suspends gold redemption at the outbreak of the First World War, ending the convertibility that had supported the imperial gold mark.

Role range: 1909-1917

Will not invade France if Britain remains neutral

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Blockade of Great Britain

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Great Britain War Zone Declared

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Submarine Warfare

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Blockade of Great Britain

A German submarine blockade of Great Britain begins

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Great Britain Submarine Blockade Begins

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Neutrality

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Reprisals Order

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Sinking of RMS Lusitania - Diplomatic Crisis

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Sinking of RMS Lusitania

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Blockade of Great Britain

Allied aircraft bombs Karlsruhe in retaliation for German bombing of London

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Great Britain Submarine Pressure Context

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Triple Offensive

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Triple Offensive

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

After American outrage, Germany officially stops sinking passenger vessels without

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Capture of Germany

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Black Yellow Offensive

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Peace

Offers an immediate peace to Russia

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Peace

The Kaiser rejects Bethmanns peace policy

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Resignation of Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Peace Mediation

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1917

Trial

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Death of Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg

Death of Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg