Case Studies: why the war began

Question 1

Militarism

Answer 1

Anglo German naval race – kaiser believed that britains Power Came from the strength of her navy. So he built up Germany’s navy.They built a powerful iron ship called the dreadnought, Which was a copy of a British warship. This began the naval race which built-up military power and hatred between the two nations making war more likely.

Question 2

French German hostility

Answer 2

These two countries hated each other and had fought in the war in 1870. Germany had beaten France easily and made them suffer in a very harsh peace treaty. Germany took the French lands of Alsace and Lorraine. The French felt the that they been disgraced and wanted revenge

Question 3

Germany felt threatened by Britain, France and Russia

Answer 3

Kaiser felt surrounded by hostile nations. The triple alliance 1882 – Germany, Italy and Austria – Hungary (A large of empire in central and Southeast Europe known as the Balkans ruled by Franz Josef) Worried by the triple alliance France began to look for allies, In 1894 the Frenchman an alliance with Russia, in 1904 the Anglo French entente began. And in 1907 the triple entente (France UK Russia). This created tension, as a dispute between only two of these powers may pull all 6 into a European war. It may also make countries more aggressive knowing that their allies have their back

Question 4

Imperialism

Answer 4

Anglo German rivalry – on the surface Britain and Germany appeared friendly. The British king was kaisers uncle but the kaiser was jealous of Britain’s empire and wanted more Colonies for Germany ‘a place in the sun’.
Morocco – in 1905 the kaiser went to Morocco and Upset the French who were involved there by challenging their authority. The UK backed France and Germany had to back down. In 1911 tension arose again between France and Germany in Morocco, but again the UK backed France

Question 5

Nationalism

Answer 5

Balkans war 1912 to 13 – the Balkans was a Southeast area of Europe, That had been ruled by Turkey. Russia and Austria were keen to increase power in the Balkans when the Turkish Empire collapsed.However the Balkans wanted independence, Serbia was especially keen to keep out the big powers in particular Austria-Hungary. The Balkans war made matters worse. This war increased Serbia’s power and confidence seeing Serb people living in Austria-hungary was desirable in a bigger Serbia. Bosnia-Sarajevo!- Serbian nationalists wanted to increase the power of Serbia – by including Bosnia in their country. However it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Franz Josef would not give it up. In June 1914 the Australian crown prince Franz Ferdinand and his wife visited the Bosnian town of Sarajevo. There he was assassinated by Marcus princip. Princip was a member of the black hand gang a terrorist organisation revolutionary nationalist. This was a short-term spark which would ignite long-term causes and bring the world to war