Causes Of The First World War Flashcards
What are the primary causes of WW1?
Militarism
Alliance System
Imperialism
Nationalism
What was imperialism?
The country’s interest in the development of empires
How much of the globe did Britain have?
25%
What is nationalism?
It is intense patriotism or love of the country, believing it is the best.
What is an alliance system?
The creation of a group of countries that come together in time of war, to each other’s aid. However, they are not always aggressive
What is militarism?
The strengthening armies, navies and air forces throughout the globe, especially as countries are industrialised
What weapons were used in the 16/17th century?
- boiling oil
- horses
- arrows/crossbows
- swords
What was the first city bombing?
Scarabough by Zeppelin
Empire sizes of main countries
- Britain - 25%
- France
- Dutch
- Austria
…
Germany
Biggest army was…
Russian, but they had a large problem with industrialisation
Most industrialised was…
Britain and Germany
Neutral countries
- Switzerland – Stayed strictly neutral and was respected for it. Its mountainous terrain and strong army discouraged invasion.
- Spain – Neutral throughout the war, dealing with internal issues like political instability.
- Norway – Neutral but traded heavily with Britain, which made Germany suspicious.
- Sweden – Neutral and remained peaceful, though it had some sympathy for Germany.
- Denmark – Neutral and focused on avoiding conflict, especially after losing land to Germany in earlier wars.
- Netherlands – Neutral but accepted many refugees from Belgium and tried to stay out of conflict despite German pressure.
Belgium started neutral, but Germany’s invasion disturbed this.
Alliance Systems
Before the war:
- Three Emperor’s League
During the war:
- Triple Alliance
- Triple Entente
Three Emperor’s League
- Germany
- Austria-Hungary
- Russia
This was an aggressive alliance. It was made in order to keep peace between the three major empires, isolate France diplomatically, and maintain conservative monarchies in Europe.
Triple Alliance
- Germany
- Austria-Hungary
- Italy - weak link of the alliance, but they were close to Africa
Triple Entente
- Britain
- France
- Russia
They had a large geographical advantage, as they encircled the Triple Alliance.
A country cannot be…
In two alliances at the same time
What happened when the Three Emperor’s League broke?
- Breakdown of the Three Emperors’ League (1880s): Austria-Hungary and Russia clashed over influence in the Balkans, especially after the Congress of Berlin (1878). This broke the alliance between them.
- Franco-Russian Alliance (1894): Germany stayed close with Austria-Hungary, so Russia turned to France (who wanted allies after being isolated post-1870 Franco-Prussian War).
- Anglo-Russian Entente (1907): Britain and Russia resolved their colonial disagreements (especially over Persia and Central Asia) and signed an agreement.
- Triple Entente formed (by 1907):
• Britain + France = Entente Cordiale (1904)
• France + Russia = Franco-Russian Alliance (1894)
• Britain + Russia = Anglo-Russian Entente (1907)
These three links formed the Triple Entente: Britain, France, and Russia.
Triple Entente was…
Not intended as a military alliance. It also ended Britain’s isolation from European treaties
Fallouts of WW1
- Britain and France with Russia, when Russia becomes communist in 1917
- In both WW1 and WW2, Italy switches sides to not ‘lose’ and receive hefty treatys
Germany profile
Strength: 2.2 million troupes, 85 warships, 23 submarines
Aims: - Keep Alsace-Lorraine, a border country or buffer region, between France and Germany
- Huge empire!
- Wanted some of Austria-Hungary’s land, when Austria-Hungary seized the Balkans, which had been agreed to already
Worries: - Geographic encirclement- surrounded by the Triple Entente
- Concerned about the size of the Russian army
Austria-Hungary profile
Strength: 810,000 troupes, 24 warships, 6 submarines
Aims: - Was multinational (Austrians, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Bosnians), or has a lot of different regions, and wanted to group their empire
- Wanted to conquer the Balkan territory
Worries: - Serbia and Russia’s forces
Decline of the Ottoman Empire
The weakening of the Ottoman Empire (the “Sick Man of Europe”) created a power vacuum in the Balkans.
• Austria-Hungary and Russia both wanted influence there, causing tension.
Where is the Balkans?
The Balkans is a region in southeastern Europe, near the Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia area.
Italy profile
Strength: 750,000 troupes, 36 warships, 12 submarines
Aims: Gain Territory - Italy wanted to complete its unification by gaining “Italia Irredenta” (unredeemed Italy), South Tyrol, Trentino, Istria, and Dalmatian coast — these were under Austro-Hungarian control. Italy also hoped for colonial land after the war (in Africa or the Balkans). Becoming a Great Power - Italy wanted to be seen as a strong European power, like Britain, France, and Germany. Breaking Away from the Triple Alliance (secretly) - Although Italy was part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, it didn’t trust them — especially Austria, its historical enemy.
Worries: Austria-Hungary - Austria controlled land Italy wanted (like South Tyrol and Trentino). Italy worried that Austria’s success would block its expansion. Public Opinion at Home - Italy was divided on whether to go to war. Many Italians wanted peace. Others, especially nationalists, wanted war to gain land.
Britain profile
Strength: 711,000 troupes, 122 warships, 64 submarines
Aims: Wanted to ally with Russia
Worries: Very worried about Germany’s industrialisation
France profile
Strength: 1.25 million troupes, 46 warships, 29 submarines
Aims: - Wanted to win back the rich industrial region of Alsace-Lorraine, after the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71)
Worries: -Germany’s industrialisation, wanted to protect itself and colonies from it
Russia profile
Strength: 1.2 million troupes, 26 warships, 29 submarines
Aims: - Long rivalry with Austria-Hungary (why Russia helped Serbia)
- Wanted influence over the Slavs in Austria-Hungary
- Wanted the Balkan region
Worries: - worried of Germany
- could not afford to lose another war since Japan (Russo-Japanese War (1904-05))
What are merchant ships?
Ships that are not royal navy, but supply ships, for ammunition, food, etc.
Alsace-Lorraine desirability
Alsace-Lorraine was rich in coal and iron, making it economically valuable for industry and weapons. It also held national pride for both France (who lost it in 1871) and Germany (who wanted to keep it), causing long-lasting tension.
The Balkans desirability
The Balkans were seen as the gateway between Europe and the Middle East, with key trade routes and access to warm-water ports. They were also full of ethnic groups and nationalist movements, which major powers like Russia and Austria-Hungary wanted to control or support.
Africa desirability
Africa was rich in natural resources like gold, rubber, and diamonds, making it a prime target during the “Scramble for Africa.” European powers also wanted it to boost their empires and show off global dominance.
Who truly had the upper hand based on strength?
On Water - Triple Entente, as they had more merchant ships, foreign trade, warships and submarines
On Land - Triple Alliance
Bit more about each situation:
- Germany has really built their empire in steel production
- Russia had a lot of potential for conscription
- Russia had a lack of industrialisation
Colonisation occurred in
1870 to 1914 - The age of New Imperialism
Scramble for Africa
During the scramble for Africa, European countries competed with one another for control of African territories. Africa gave them potential to exploit forced labour, extract resources, and become more powerful, strengthening their empire. This created a rivalry between the countries even before WW1.
What were the three empires converging at the Balkans before the war?
- Austria-Hungarian Empire
- Russian Empire
- Ottoman Empire - weakest, had declined
Morocco
All countries wanted Morocco, leading to a lot of disagreements. Hence, to achieve peace, they held a conference. During the first conference, Germany was humiliated by France and Britain. During the second, a compromise was made, where France had control of Morocco, and Germany was given some control elsewhere in Africa. However, this showcases Britain and France’s arrogance, as that land was not theirs to give. In the end, they all succumbed to their desire for an empire, and were willing to cooperate to avoid conflict.
French Anthem
The Marseillaise:
Sacred love of the Fatherland,
Guide and support our vengeful arms.
Liberty, beloved liberty,
Fight with your defenders (repeat)
Under our flags so that victory will rush to your manly strains;
That your dying enemies shall see your triumph and glory!
To Arms, citizens! Form your battalions,
Let us march, let us march!
That their impure blood should water our fields.
Symbol: they state ‘dying enemies’ and ‘impure blood’ showing horror, the use of ‘us’ as a possessive, ‘Fatherland’ with a capital F
German Anthem
Deutschland Über Alles:
Germany, Germany over all,
over everything else in the world,
When it steadfastly holds together,
offensively and defensively, with brotherhood…
Symbol: ‘over the world’ shows the idea of world domination, repeat of ‘Germany’ shows strong patriotism, ‘offensively and defensively’ suggests that they invade, not only protect, showing it with no shame
British Anthem
Land of Hope and Glory:
Land of hope and glory, mother of the free.
How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee?
Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set;
God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet (repeat)
Rule Britannia:
Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves;
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.
Symbol: signs of religion or God (influential), ‘mother’ is protective or less violent, ‘ethol’ shows defence, ‘rule over waves’ shows power of the Royal Navy, ‘mightier yet’ shows acknowledgment of their power
Cyanide pills are…
Poisonous pills
Assassination of Archduke Frank Ferdinand
On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie visited Sarajevo to inspect military exercises and assert Austria-Hungary’s control over Bosnia on the symbolic Vidovdan. As their open-top car drove through the city, with seven assassins of the Black Hand scattered around the route, Nedeljko Čabrinović threw a grenade at 10:10 a.m., but it bounced off and injured 20 people; Čabrinović swallowed an old cyanide pill—which only caused him to vomit, and he jumped into a canal only 10cm deep—before being captured. Later, when the Archduke insisted on visiting the hospital, the authorities switched to a new driver who, confused by Sarajevo’s layout, took a wrong turn onto Franz Josef Street around 10:45 a.m., where Gavrilo Princip, who was 19, was waiting. The car stalled within 1.5 metres, and Princip fired two close-range shots: one hit Sophie in the abdomen and the other struck the Archduke in the neck; as he bled, Franz Ferdinand reportedly cried, “Sophie! Sophie! Don’t die! Stay alive for our children!” Both died within minutes, setting in motion the events that led to World War I. Princip was arrested, but not killed, as he was too young for the death penalty, and was sentenced 20 years in prison.
The Black Hand
The Black Hand was a secret Serbian nationalist group, officially called Unification or Death, founded in 1911. Its aim was to unite all Slavic people, especially Serbs, under one nation — free from Austro-Hungarian rule. Many of its young members, including Gavrilo Princip, were willing to die for the cause and were terminally ill or believed they had no long future; for example, Princip and others were malnourished, some had tuberculosis, and they carried cyanide pills to avoid capture (though the pills were old and ineffective). The group secretly trained assassins and had strong links to elements of the Serbian military, which made Austria-Hungary suspect official Serbian involvement in Franz Ferdinand’s assassination.
Entente Cordiale
ENTENTE CORDIALE. In 1904, France and Britain entered a ‘friendly agreement’. It was a number of agreements between Britain and France, and by signing this treaty, the two nations ended a century of hostility. It should be noted that the Entente was not a military alliance, and neither nations pledged military support to the other. It, however, felt like a step forward.
Dual Alliance
DUAL ALLIANCE. In 1879, a military alliance formed between Germany and Austria-Hungary, stating that should Russia attack either country, they would unite forces and defend the other. It was signed after the collapse of the Three Emperors’ League and when there was unrest in the Balkans.
The July Crisis
The July Crisis was the 4-week period between 28 June and 28 July 1914, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany’s “blank cheque”, gave Serbia a harsh ultimatum on 23 July. Serbia mostly accepted, but Austria-Hungary still declared war on 28 July. Russia began mobilising to protect Serbia, triggering a chain reaction: Germany declared war on Russia and France, and when Germany invaded Belgium, Britain declared war on 4 August. The crisis turned a local conflict into World War I through alliances, miscommunication, and rising tensions.
The Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s strategy to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium, then turning to fight Russia, to avoid a war on two fronts, created by Alfred von Schlieffen, Germany’s Chief of General Staff in 1905.
The Schlieffen plan needed…
SPEED
Expectations for the Schlieffen Plan
- Britain would not interfere
- Russia would be slow to mobilise
- France would not expect the attack, as it would be easy to get through Belgium
The Schlieffen plan was supposed to last…
Just 6 weeks
Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail?
- Belgium held out eg. Liege could only be taken with heavy artillery, for about 3/4 weeks
- Britain mobilised to help Belgium - due to the Scrap of Paper
- French launched on offensive, having enough time to mobilise due to Belgium
- Belgium blew up bridges and railways in order to hold Germany up further
- Russians mobilised in the east a lot faster than expected
- Lack of German communication as they approached Northern France
- Lack of supplies and ammunition in the Race to the Sea (where Britain could easily bring many merchant ships across the channel)
- Battle of Marne won by Britain/France
What did trenches mark?
The end of mobile war, prolonging the war beyond any expectations
Why were there zigzag trenches?
If one place exploded, the rest survived
Draw the outline of the trench area
N/a
What were recruitment methods?
- pay (King’s shilling) is better than prior jobs
- travel, most had never left England
- posters (played with guilt, bravery, patriotism, nationalism, revenge)
- order of the white feather - women would pin feathers on men who didn’t sign up for war, to humiliate them
- sports club/schools - peer pressure/ glory for their family
- military bands/parades/uniform - nationalism, pride, women would offer gifts
What was the problem with the white feathers?
It was hard to decipher someone’s age, hence they sometimes forced very young men to sign up for war.
What was the biggest assumption of the British?
That the war would be over by Christmas, as all the recruits were oblivious to the horrors of an industrial war. Some were even worried about missing the war.
Poison gas types
Chlorine gas: colourless (sneak up on soldiers), had a distinct smell of bleach or swimming pools
Mustard gas: yellow gas (could see it coming)
Gas masks were very uncomfortable and hard to breathe in
First uses of gas
1915 - 160 tonnes of chlorine gas - successful use of gas on the Western front, sent by the Germans to the French in Ypres. There was incredible panic, where 5000-6000 were killed or wounded, as they had no protection. They did realise that the ammonia in urine neutralise the chlorine gas to some extent, hence they urinated on their cloths and held them up to their faces.
1915 - Luce (failed attempt) —> danger of using gas when the wind was in the wrong direction, the British let the gas out, and it came back to their soldiers
During the war, how much gas was used?
British used 60 000 tonnes, while the Germans used 70 000 tonnes of gas.
Gas masks had…
Pouches of ammonia
Not only did the gas cause physical harm, but…
Psychological or moral harm was great, if not greater. The soldiers had an unresting fear of death in their sleep if gas is let out
Chlorine Gas Profile
• Effects: Burning eyes, throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, choking, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
• How fast: Effects began within seconds to minutes.
• Death: If exposed in high concentrations, it could kill in 1–3 hours, usually by suffocation due to fluid in the lungs.
Phosgene gas profile
• Effects: Similar to chlorine, but 15 times more deadly — tight chest, coughing, and fluid in lungs.
• How fast: Delayed onset — symptoms could appear up to 24 hours later.
• Death: Often 12–24 hours after exposure, as lungs slowly filled with fluid (pulmonary edema).
Mustard Gas profile
• Effects: Severe skin blisters, blindness, internal bleeding, and lung damage.
• How fast: Symptoms took several hours (2–24) to appear.
• Death: Rarely instant — most died days or even weeks later from infections or lung damage.
How many British troupes died to gas?
6000
Gas in WW2
Gas was never used in World War II, but fear and psychological terror led all civilians to be issued gas masks. Only Zyklon B was used in the Holocaust, as a very fast acting gas.
Zyklon B profile
Effects: Headache, dizziness, nausea, then seizures, unconsciousness, and death by cellular suffocation.
Time to kill: Victims lost consciousness in 1–2 minutes, and died in 5–15 minutes, depending on gas concentration and airflow.
Gas was let out in…
Canisters and grenades
Tanks
- first used in the Battle of the Song
- classroom-sized
- invented by a British farmer
- initially rejected
Advantages of the tank
- helps to advance out of the trenches
- protection
- boost morale
- cause panic to enemy
- help soldiers avoid mines
Disadvantages of the tank
- obvious - easy to spot
- very slow
- operational problems - no one can operate it (tank drivers was not a job)
- cannot see out of it properly
- easily breaks down
- hard to manoeuvre and turn around
- difficult to cross no man’s land
- mud, mines, barbed wire, craters
In 1918, the Germans developed…
Armour-piercing machine-gun bullets to deadly effect
Artillery - guns
- machine guns - 400/500 bullets a minute
- rifles with bayonets - all men had them for close warfare (going out on no-man’s land), bayonets were spikes or spears to impale people on
- bombardments - heavy artillery, sometimes used as a distraction before going over the top of the trench
- hawitser - fires shrapnel, bits of metal
Disadvantages of planes
- danger to pilots (breathing - high altitude with no protection, intense)
- who was a pilot? lack of training
- poor navigation system
- runways? - for landing
- limited range, engine power lack
Advantages of planes
- supplies
- reconnaissance
- dropped bombs/gas
What was reconnaissance?
Reconnaissance refers to the military practice of gathering information about an area, enemy forces, or terrain, usually through observation or survey.
What are the secondary causes of WW1?
- The Arms Race (fighting to get the best weapons, especially, Germany and Britain, who wanted the largest navy)
- The Assassination of Arch Duke Frank Ferdinand
- Poor communication (in the Schlieffen Plan)
- Crises Before the War (the Bosnian Crisis (1908), Balkan Wars (1912-13)
- Decline of the Ottoman Empire (leaving the Balkans empty)
The failure of the Schlieffen plan prolonged the war, but didn’t cause the war.
Balkan Wars
(1912-13) Serbia grew stronger, worrying Austria-Hungary
Bosnian Crisis
(1908) Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia, angering Serbia and Russia
