1. Chapter 15—Miles, Allison, Ryan, Tom, Rachel Joseph Nationalism Triumphs in Europe (1800–1914) World History
2. Nationalism Triumphs in Europe (1800–1914) Section 2: Building a German Nation Section 3: Strengthening Germany Section 1: Unifying Italy Section 5: Nationalism Threatens Old Empires Section 4: Russia: Reform and Reaction World History
30. This time, however, Annie had no sooner made her announcement then Kaiser Wilhelm himself leaped out of the royal box and strutted into the arena . Annie was stunned and horrified but could not retract her dare without losing face. She paced off her usual distance while Wilhelm extracted a cigar from a gold case and lit it with flourish. Several German policeman, suddenly realizing that this was not one of Kaiser's little jokes, tried to preempt the stunt, but were waved off by His All-Highest Majesty. Sweating profusely under her buckskin, and regretful that she had consumed more than her usual amount of whiskey the night before, Annie raised her Colt, took aim, and blew away Wilhelm's ashes. Had the sharpshooter from Cincinnati creased the Kaiser's head rather than his cigar, one of Europe's most ambitious and volatile rulers would have been removed from the scene. Germany might not have pursued its policy of aggressive Weltpolitik that culminated in war twenty-five years later. Annie herself seemed to realize her mistake later on. After World War I began, she wrote to the Kaiser asking for a second shot. He did not respond.
53. Crisis and Revolution War broke out between Russia and Japan. (Russo-Japanese War) The Russians suffered repeated military defeats. News of the military disasters unleashed pent-up discontent created by years of oppression. The czar’s troops fired on protesters on “Bloody Sunday,” destroying the people’s trust and faith in the czar. Discontent and revolution spread throughout Russia. Czar Nicholas was forced to announce sweeping reforms. In the October Manifesto , he agreed to summon a Duma, or elected national legislature. 5
