Causes and Events of the First World War, 1890–1918--TENSION BUILDERS

Question 1

List the members in each alliance and when the alliances were made:

Answer 1

Triple Alliance:
Germany, Austria-Hugeria, Italy; in 1879, Germany allies secretly with A-H then Italy joins in 1882.

Triple Entente:
France, Russia, Britain; in 1891, Russia allies with France, then France makes the Entente Cordiale with Britain (non-military) in 1904 which developed into the Triple Entente (1907) with Russia (a now military alliance) in 1907.

Question 2

How did the alliance system add tension?

Answer 2

It threw the world into two armed and dangerous camps, but as attacking more powerful unions would be more costly, it actually made war less likely, decreasing tension. However, it did make a world war possible as al countries could be pulled in adding to the tension as well.

Question 3

Why did leaders want colonies?

Answer 3

• resources
• money
• power and influence
• land to live in and grow crops
• trade and bargaining

Question 4

What was Weltpolitik?

Answer 4

Kaiser Wilhelm’s foreign policy. He wanted and empire, international influence and armed forces to create his “place in the sun”

Question 5

What exactly was the Entente Cordiale?

Answer 5

A friendly understanding between France and Britain to end the colonial rivalry between them. France was given a free-hand in Morocco and Britain in Egypt. It also added safety within the growing tension from more militaristic attitudes. (eg in 1898 Germany started building up their navy)

Question 6

What year was the first Moroccan crisis?

Answer 6

1905

Question 7

Outline the events of the first Moroccan crisis:

Answer 7

• Entente Cordiale gives France control of Morocco so France asks the Sultan to hand over control of the army.
• The Kaiser makes a speech supporting Moroccan independence and calls for a conference to discuss it (France prepares for war)
• Algeciras conference of 13 countries (only one of which (A-H) voted with Germany humiliating them)
• France gets political and financial rights to Morocco, but it stays independent..

Question 8

Why did the Kaiser speak out for Moroccan independence?

Answer 8

• gain German influence in north Africa
• to test the new Entente Cordiale
• it was one of the few independent countries in Africa and he wanted it.

Question 9

When was the Agadir or second Moroccan crisis?

Answer 9

1911

Question 10

Outline the events of the Agadir crisis:

Answer 10

• A pro-independence rebellion erupts in Morocco.
• France sends troops on request of the Sultan to help restore order.
• Germany feels sidelined and sends the gunboat-the Panther- to Agadir.
• A war scare erupts leading to the signing of the treaty of Berlin where Germany accepts French rule in Morocco in exchange for the 100000 square miles of French Congo.

Question 11

What were the effects of the two Moroccan crises?

Answer 11

• Increased fear and hostility brought Britain and France together enforcing the entente.
• The Kaiser was humiliated and determined to get revenge
• tensions between all great powers grew
• France and Britain made a naval agreement where Brian would protect their north coast from German attacks

Question 12

Why was Britain’s navy important to them?

Answer 12

• For protection as it was an island
• The British empire covered a quarter of the world and needed protecting
• for protection of tradeships around the world trading with colonies

Question 13

Define militarism:

Answer 13

the build-up of weapons and armed forces in preparation for war.

Question 14

What was the German naval law of 1898?

Answer 14

Admiral Tirpitz announced that Germany would build 41 battleships and 61 cruisers to defend itself and protect its trade.

Question 15

What was Britain’s “two power standard”?

Answer 15

From 1889, Britain had been following this policy ensuring that their navy was at least as big as their two nearest rivals combined.

Question 16

How did the Dreadnought further increase tension and create the naval arms race

Answer 16

• It was more powerful than previous ships (10 twelve inch guns, 18 four inch guns, max belt armour 11in thick, 17900 tonnes)
• The navy with the most dreadnoughts would therefore be strongest.
• Britain and Germany got into a naval competition as Germany tried to enlarge their navy as Britain did and Britain enlarged their navy in accordance with the two power standard as Germany’s navy grew.

Question 17

Does militarism make war more likely?

Answer 17

No, although a sign of preparation for war (meaning there probably would be a war soon) it made countries less likely to attack as they are more evenly balanced (ie the more a fight would cost)

Question 18

What happened in the Bosnian crisis in 1908?

Answer 18

• Austria annexed Bosnia
• Serbia was furious and prepared for war asking Russia for help.
• As Russia was still weak, Germany supported Austria and Britain and France stayed out of it, Serbia could do nothing and Bosnia remained part of Austria.

Question 19

What were the results of the 1908 Bosnian crisis?

Answer 19

• Serbia wanted revenge on Austria
• Russia was humiliated and unwilling to back down in the future.
• Germany was committed to helping Austria
• tension increased

Question 20

What happened in the Balkan wars from 1912-13?

Answer 20

• Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria and Montenegro joined forming the Balkan league to attack Turkey.
• The treaty of London (put into place by the great powers) prevents Austria from declaring war.
• Less than a month later Bulgaria attacked Greece and Serbia for land it believed it should have earned previously, but was defeated and in the peace treaty gave land to Greece and Serbia.

Question 21

What were the results of the Balkan wars?

Answer 21

• Serbia became stronger; twice as large as before and their nationalism grew in want of an empire.
• Austria realised how much of a threat Serbia was
• Russia was determined to support Serbia
• Bulgaria wanted revenge on Serbia and Greece
• and, of course, loads of tension

Question 22

Why were the problems in the Balkans so difficult to solve?

Answer 22

• As the Ottoman empire was in decline, other powers saw this as an opportunity to gain territory and influence
• Two rival powers