1. The Causes of World War I Flashcards
What event is commonly known as the spark that ignited World War I?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
True or False: The alliance system was a cause of World War I.
True.
Fill in the blank: The two main alliances before World War I were the __________ and the __________.
Triple Alliance; Triple Entente.
Which countries were part of the Triple Alliance?
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
What was the main purpose of the alliances formed before World War I?
To provide mutual defense and support in case of conflict.
Which country declared war on Serbia, triggering the conflict?
Austria-Hungary.
What role did nationalism play in the lead-up to World War I?
Nationalism fueled competition and tensions between nations.
True or False: Militarism was a contributing factor to World War I.
True.
What was the arms race?
A competition between nations to build up their military forces.
Which country had the largest navy prior to World War I?
Britain.
Fill in the blank: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand occurred in __________.
Sarajevo.
Who was the assassin of Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
Gavrilo Princip.
What was the July Ultimatum?
A series of demands issued by Austria-Hungary to Serbia.
True or False: The July Ultimatum was accepted in full by Serbia.
False.
What was the Schlieffen Plan?
Germany’s military strategy to quickly defeat France before turning to Russia.
Which country mobilized its army in support of Serbia?
Russia.
What was the significance of the Balkan Wars?
They increased tensions and rivalries in the region.
Fill in the blank: The __________ incident involved the sinking of a ship that heightened tensions between Germany and Britain.
Lusitania.
Which ideology promoted the idea of self-determination and independence for ethnic groups?
Nationalism.
What was the impact of imperialism on the causes of World War I?
It created rivalries and competition for colonies among European powers.
Which two countries had a significant rivalry over colonial possessions in Africa?
Britain and Germany.
What was the significance of the Treaty of London (1913)?
It ended the First Balkan War and redefined borders in the Balkans.
True or False: Economic factors had no influence on the causes of World War I.
False.
What was the main economic concern that contributed to tensions before World War I?
Competition for resources and markets.
Fill in the blank: The concept of __________ refers to the strong influence of military leaders on national policy.
militarism.
Which country was known for its policy of ‘splendid isolation’ before World War I?
Britain.
What role did propaganda play in the lead-up to World War I?
It stirred public opinion and heightened nationalistic fervor.
Which event in 1905 heightened tensions between Germany and France?
The First Moroccan Crisis.
What was the significance of the Balkan League?
It was a coalition of Balkan states formed to oppose Ottoman rule.
Fill in the blank: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand happened on __________.
June 28, 1914.
Which country was the first to declare war after the assassination?
Austria-Hungary.
True or False: The alliance system acted as a deterrent against war.
False.
What was the role of the media in the lead-up to World War I?
The media sensationalized events and influenced public opinion.
What was the significance of the Second Balkan War?
It further destabilized the region and increased tensions among the Great Powers.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was a secret agreement between Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Dual Alliance.
True or False: The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was a random act without political motivation.
False.
What was the main goal of Gavrilo Princip and the Black Hand?
To promote the independence of South Slavic peoples from Austria-Hungary.
Which country was considered the ‘sick man of Europe’ before World War I?
The Ottoman Empire.
What did the term ‘entangling alliances’ refer to?
The complex web of alliances that could lead to widespread conflict.
Fill in the blank: The __________ Crisis of 1911 involved tensions between Germany and France over Morocco.
Agadir.
What was the role of the assassination in the context of the existing tensions in Europe?
It acted as a catalyst that triggered a series of events leading to war.
Which two countries were involved in the Dreadnought arms race?
Britain and Germany.
True or False: The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was planned by a single individual.
False.
What was the significance of the Balkan Peninsula in the lead-up to World War I?
It was a hotspot for nationalist tensions and conflicts.
Fill in the blank: The __________ of 1914 involved a series of military mobilizations and declarations of war.
July Crisis.
Which country was known for its aggressive foreign policy leading up to World War I?
Germany.
What was the impact of the assassination on Austria-Hungary’s relationship with Serbia?
It escalated tensions and led to a declaration of war.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was a military alliance formed by Britain, France, and Russia.
Triple Entente.
What was the significance of the 1907 Anglo-Russian Entente?
It resolved colonial disputes and solidified the Triple Entente.
True or False: The cultural and social climate of Europe contributed to the causes of World War I.
True.
What was the primary motivation behind the formation of the Triple Entente?
To counterbalance the power of the Triple Alliance.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was a major military conflict that occurred in the Balkans before World War I.
Balkan Wars.
What was the role of economic rivalries in the lead-up to World War I?
They exacerbated tensions and competition among the great powers.
Which military strategy involved attacking France through Belgium?
The Schlieffen Plan.
True or False: The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was an isolated incident with no broader implications.
False.
What was the historical significance of the term ‘powder keg of Europe’?
It referred to the volatile situation in the Balkans prior to World War I.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was formed in 1882 as a military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
Triple Alliance.
What was the impact of the naval arms race on British-German relations?
It increased tensions and distrust between the two nations.
Which country was the last major power to mobilize in response to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?
France.
Fill in the blank: The assassination led to a series of __________ among the great powers.
ultimatums.
What was the significance of the Second Balkan War for Austria-Hungary?
It heightened fears of Slavic nationalism and instability in the region.
True or False: The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the only cause of World War I.
False.
What was the role of the military in shaping foreign policy before World War I?
Military leaders had significant influence over political decisions.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was a group that sought to unify South Slavic peoples.
Black Hand.
What was the effect of the Great Powers’ involvement in the Balkans?
It created a complex web of alliances and increased tensions.
What was the significance of the First Balkan War for the Ottoman Empire?
It marked a significant loss of territory and power.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was a diplomatic crisis involving Austria-Hungary and Serbia.
July Crisis.
What was the impact of secret alliances on the outbreak of World War I?
They contributed to the rapid escalation of conflict.
True or False: The assassination of Franz Ferdinand led directly to the outbreak of World War I.
True.
What was the significance of the arms race in the context of World War I?
It created a climate of fear and competition among nations.
Fill in the blank: The __________ refers to the period of military mobilizations and tensions in July 1914.
July Crisis.
What was the main consequence of the alliance system during World War I?
It turned a regional conflict into a global war.
What was the significance of the assassination for European politics?
It exposed the fragility of peace and the volatility of alliances.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was a military strategy that aimed to quickly defeat France before engaging Russia.
Schlieffen Plan.
Which country was known for its policy of militarism before World War I?
Germany.
What was the role of public opinion in the lead-up to World War I?
Public sentiment often supported military action and nationalism.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was a series of diplomatic crises that increased tensions among the Great Powers.
Balkan Wars.
