Chapter I: Period of Authentic Discovery and Exploration, From 1492 to 1607 (8)

December 12.--Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg announced to the
Reichstag that Germany and her allies proposed to enter forthwith
into peace negotiations.

=1917=

February.--The chief occurrences in the opening months of this year
were the blockade declared by Germany against the Entente Allies,
and the announcement of unrestricted submarine warfare upon neutral
shipping to the nations composing that alliance. This course was
justified by the German government as a retaliation against the
starvation blockade instituted by Great Britain and her allies.

GREAT AMERICAN AND FOREIGN BATTLES.

This table includes those battles of decisive or far-reaching
importance upon the destinies of the contestants. The dates are
according to the Old Style, or Julian, calendar down to 1582; after
that date, according to the New Style, or Gregorian, calendar. The
victors in the various battles are printed in =bold-face= type.
Details of minor American battles will be found in connection with
the Outline Tables of American History. †Naval battles. *Indecisive
results.