The First World War begins

Source: e-papyrus.de General Mobilization in Berlin, August 1914

Russia has rejected the call of the German Reich to stop the General Mobilization of its troops. In response on the evening of August 1st Berlin declares war on St Petersburg. Russia's most important ally is France on which Germany's convinced of an upcoming invasion of its western frontier declares war on August 3rd. After the German invasion of the neutral state of Belgium the next day England declares war on Germany. The war in Europe will expand into the First World War and completely change the political map of the Old Continent. For the first time in history new weapons like maschine guns, tanks, airplanes and poisonous gas will be used. Until November 1918 more than ten million people will lose their lives.