Timeline (The Boulanger Era)

1888
General Georges Boulanger (often nicknamed "General Revenge") was a french officer and Minister of War in 1886 and 1887.

In 1888, he managed to group an anti-governmental coalition of monarchists, bonapartists and radical conservative to oppose the ruling republican coaltion. While the members oppinion varied on any future government, they joined up due to some or all of the following:

  a desire for revenge against germany  preference for a strong single leader instead of a democraticaly elected coalition.  subordination of all to the country irrespective of class or occupation  eventual restoration of some type of monarchy (Bourbon or Bonarparte) 

1889
On the 27 of January 1889, he was elected representative of Paris and his supporters of the League of Patriots asked him to overthrow the government during his victory celebration. He did so, simply by marching on the Assembly at the head of his followers and declaring himself "Interim President of the Constituant Assembly". Fearing for their safety, many of the representatives resigned or simply fled. Part of this fear came from the immediate support the General received from the lower echelons of the army, some of which spontaneously converged on the Constituant Assembly to defend it against a possible backlash.

Now in control, the General began his reforms. A Constituent assembly is called that lack any legal power. Laws are passed curbing the freedom of the press and of assembly.

1890
Bismarck is removed from office by the Kaiser who prefer a "treaty-less" foreign policy based.

1891
Italy renew its membership in the Triple Alliance.

Russia, for its part, had tried to renew its treaty of defence with Germany but its rejection had made it fear a secret treaty with Austria-Hungary (a fear purposefuly heightened by the french). Through agressive diplomacy, France and russia ended up signing a secret treaty of mutual support in the event of an agression by Germany on France or Austria on Russia.

In France, anarchist attacks rise.

In germany, Alfred von Schlieffen becomes the army's chief of staff. He devise a plan whereby in the event of a war with France, german troops would disregard belgium's neutrality and go through it to attack the french.

1892
The secret franco-russian treaty is changed into a public convention of immediate mobilision in case of conflict and promise not to sign a separate peace treaty.

In Russia, jews lose the right to vote in the douma. While de jure considered equal citizens, jew in France are victims of antisemitic attacks.

After signing a concordat, the Pope send a bulle requiring french catholics to support the current regime.

1893
With France and Russia seen as clear threats, the german reichstag agrees to raise the army's effective to 80 000

A fight between french and italian workers in Aigues-Mortes (france) result in over a hundred injured and dozens of deaths. Violent demonstration in Italy, often instigated by members of the Fasci Movement, calls for reparation from France. Giovanni Giolitti, the president of the council, use this crisis to take attention away from a scandal in which he has been implicated. Anti-french sentiments are on the rise.

3rd International congress of Socialists in zurich (switzerland).

In the USA, the stock market crashs causing an economical depression. The anti-trust law is invoked to curtail workers strikes.

Early months
Germany pass a law against groups dubbed "revolutionary parties"

"Nations' Crongress" is held in hungary by the representatives of various minority groups.

Nicolas II becomes czar of Russia

Sadi Carno, a member of the the constituent assembly, is assassinated by an italian anarchist in lyon. The Chancelor declare a state of emmergnecy and order the deportation of all non-native born italians from the departments.

As a counter measure for the deportation, the italien president of the council declare french citizens to be personna non grata in italy.

Later months
The italian government send troops in various part of the country to quel revolt by the fascis. The french government demand that the concentration of troops been withdraw from the the north or otherwise their presence will be considered an act of beligerence.

The Italians refuse to back seeing the french utlimatum as ingerance into the internal affairs of Italy. the French government, call up troops.