The annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Austro-Hungarians is another humiliation for Russia, and leaves the Serbs seething toward the Habsburg monarch.

I know I had stated there would be no episode this week, but unfortunately the long weekend plans fell through. -Dan

Beyond the Foxholes Podcast: http://www.breakthroughassault.co.uk/p/beyond-foxholes-podcast.html

The Russo-Japanese War provides us with a chilling glimpse into the nature of industrial warfare.

After nearly coming to blows at Fashoda, the French and English decide to put aside their grievances. In the Far East, Japan and Russia declare war.

With events in Asia threatening the status quo, Great Britain would find itself in desperate need of an ally.

* I apologize for this episode being behind schedule. We'll be back on track for Monday!*

In 1890 Wilhelm II dismissed Bismarck, allowing the French to break out of isolation; the British face a looming crisis in the years after 1894.

After the formation of Germany, Bismarck's primary concern was finding a place for the Second Reich in Europe; events in the Balkans would drive the Austro-Hungarians into a military alliance by 1879.

The revolts of 1848 paved the way for the formation of Germany under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck. The events surrounding German unification play a major role in the political atmosphere leading up to 1890.

**I have added some introductory music and changed my recording software so I hope you will hear an improvement.

Episode 1 overviews 19th century European politics after the Napoleonic War and the creation of the alliance systems.

This is my first ever podcast and am currently ironing out the kinks in my audio software so if the edits seem a bit off that is simply growing pains.