11. International Relationships 1890-1914 Flashcards
What power had been seen as the main threat to Britain in the early and middle part of the 19th century?
Russia
Why had Russia been seen as the main threat to Britain in the early and middle part of the 19th century?
Because it was geographically close to India (Britain’s main country in Empire)
How did Germany become a threat to Britain in 1871?
Germany had unified and begun to compete economically and militarily with Britain
How did France become a threat to Britain?
France wanted to assert its ‘rightful place’ in the world
Where did France and Germany threaten British interests?
In Africa which lead to the scramble for Africa
What system emerged in the late 19th century?
An alliance system
What countries made an alliance in 1882?
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
What countries made an alliance in 1894?
France and Russia
Britain’s belief in ‘splendid isolation’
Britain had maintained a policy of splendid isolation throughout the 1800s - deliberate avoidance of permanent alliances
Why was Afghanistan a ‘flashpoint’ between Russian and Britain?
Because Russia had a railway in Tashkent (within seeking distance of Afghanistan)
If Britain gained control of Afghanistan, what would the benefit be?
Could allow India to be protected
What was perceived by the British as an additional threat to the Suez Canal and British India?
The Russian agreement with France in 1892
Why did Britain maintain policy of ‘splendid isolation’?
Because they trusted that their navy could maintain Empire
Why did the Second Anglo-Boer War from 1899-1902 force a drastic review of British strategy?
Because it was felt that India was vulnerable due to military power being concentrated in South Africa
What made British internationally vulnerable by 1894?
Alliance system
Why did Germany challenge Britain in the colonies?
Due to Kaiser Wilhelm II’s supplementation of the Boers with weapons during 1899-1902 war and by establishing better relations with Ottoman Empire
How did Britain abandon ‘splendid isolation’ policy?
By signing Entente Cordiale with France in 1904
What did Britain, Russia and France sign in 1907 and what did it settle?
The Triple Entente which settled Britain’s main imperial concerns
How did the Triple Entente settle Britain’s main imperial concerns?
Persian Gulf declared as a neutral zone
Afghanistan recognised as part of Britain’s sphere of influence
Moroccan crisis 1905
Kaiser Wilhelm II (Germany) visited Morocco and declared it a free and independent state
What was the Kaiser visiting Morocco and declaring it a free and independent state a deliberate attempt to do?
A deliberate attempt to test Britain’s commitment to France
Result of Moroccan Crisis of 1905
Tension between France and Germany
Second Moroccan Crisis 1911
A German gunboat arrived at Agadir to challenge French control of Morocco
What did British public opinion become as a result of the Moroccan Crises?
Much more anti-German
