1902
The Martian invasion described in H.G. Wells' novel takes place, and, as in the novel, is defeated by Martian weakness to Earth microbes.
The devestation wreaked on Britain leads to chaos within the Empire: Ireland and South Africa successfully break away, while an adventurer called Nemo, claiming to be a deposed prince, attempts to lead a revolution for independence in India.
This apparent weakness on the part of Britain has a dramatic effect on international affairs. France and Russia decide not to settle their colonial disputes with Britain, meaning that the "Triple Entente" is not formed. Germany, meanwhile, sees this as a chance to achieve world-power status.
A major arms race to reverse-engineer Martian technology begins. Britain has a huge advantage in this as landings occurred only in the U.K., and the pioneering work of Professor Cavor soon yields interesting results.
1905
Germany and Russia sign a friendship pact. Russia is allowed to annexe Afghanistan in exchange for neutrality in a European war and German influence in Northern Persia.
1908
An unusual explosion occurs in Siberia, causing some speculation that it is a Martian attack. Nikola Tesla comes to England at Cavor's invitation and begins to examine the Martian heat-ray.
1913
A Serbian attempt to annexe Montenegro sparks off a major European war. In such circumstances, the threat of further Martian invasions is pushed into the background.
Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary enjoy great initial success, and appeasr to be about to defeat France in April 1914. However, landings at Calais led by a daring young Lieutenant Ritchie Hook and utilising Heath-Robinson's new "Land Dreadnoughts", with their Martian heat-rays, allow a peace to be swiftly reached as Paris is relieved in a matter of weeks.
This peace Treaty, signed in Paris, allows Germany to keep its colonies, but returns Alsac-Lorraine to France and reduces the German armed forces to less than that at the start of the conflict.
1915
The Russian revolution takes place, in part caused by the "Rasputin Scandal", when it emerges that Rasputin is a High Priest of Shub-Niggurath.
Germany invades Russia and deposes the Bolshevik Government, restoring Nicholas II and essentially making the country a military dictatorship under Marshal Kuervi-Tasch.
1919
The Austo-Hungarian Empire falls apart after an attempted coup by Michael of Ruritania. Emperor Karl does, however, remain King of Austria.
1928
Special Investigators Drummond and Barton are sent to the Caribbean to see if rumours of a strange Cthulhu-cult amongst the natives are true. They are.
1930
Belgian astronomer Professor Phostle discovers a new Planet on the edge of the Solar System, which is named Pluto.
1933
In Germany, Adolph Hitler and Adenoid Hynkel found the "Ubermensch League" claiming that only a race of supermen will be able to protect Earth from the Martians.
1937
Borduria makes a failed attempt to annexe Syldavia.
1938
31 OCTOBER: A Martian spacecraft falls to Earth at Roswell, New Mexico, forming the vanguard of a new Martian invasion. An Orson Welles radio drama about a Japanese attack on the West Coast is interrupted by news broadcasts. Confusion between the two means there is surprisingly little panic.