Causes Of WW1 Flashcards
What was the name of Germany’s ruler in 1888-1918?
Wilhelm II
What is nationalism?
Seeing other countries as inferior and enemies
What is panslavism?
The ideology of solidarity and unity between Slavic countries
What did Kaiser Wilhelm say in 1901 that he wanted for Germany?
The desire to build an empire
What is imperialism?
A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonisation
How much of the globe did the British Empire cover in 1900?
1/5
What was Britain’s ambition with Africa
An empire from Cairo to Cape Town
Where and when did French and British colonial ambitions clash?
At Fashoda in the Sudan, 1898
What is militarism?
The control of government by military aims, and the desire to build up a strong military power
How big was the German army in 1914?
2.2 million men
Whose army is growing fastest?
Russia - 1.2 million in 1914
Why did politicians try to build up huge armed forces and military alliances?
To preserve the “Balance of Power” which they thought kept the peace
What the Dual Alliance?
Germany and Austria-Hungary, 1879
Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, 1882
Triple Entente
France and Russia and Britain, 1907
Which country did Britain make a naval agreement with and why?
Japan so Britain didn’t have to worry about it’s naval power in the Pacific
Who was the ‘sick man’ of Europe?
Turkey
Who was Otto von Bismarck?
The shrewd Chancellor of Germany but Wilhelm sacked him in 1890, after which Wilhelm controlled foreign affairs much less carefully
Unification of Italy
1886
What happened to France in 1870?
France went to war to try and stop Germany of unifiying but has been easily defeated by the Germans (in 10 weeks). France lost Alsace and Lorraine
Which British war did Kaiser Wilhelm criticise?
The Boer war, 1899-1900
What provoked the First Moroccan Crisis?
In 1906, Wilhelm went to Morocco and guaranteed it’s independence (France had been hoping to take it over)
How was the First Moroccan Crisis solved?
A conference was held at Algericas where Britain, France and Russia forced Wilhelm to back down
What does the word ‘annex’ mean and who annexed who in 1908?
‘annex’ means to take over the government of a state, and Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia from Turkey in 1908
Who provoked the 2nd Moroccan Crisis?
In 1911,the Kaiser sent the German gunboat ‘Panther’ into Agadir Harbour, in Morocco
How was the 2nd Moroccan Crisis solved?
Britain and France forced Germany to back down
What was the Balkan League?
The alliance of Balkan states (Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria) which in 1912 drove Turkey out of Europe (1st Balkan War, 1912) and then started fighting amongst themselves (2nd Bal
How was the 2nd Balkan War ended?
Germany and Britain united and used their influence to force them to stop fighting (Treaty of Bucharest, 1913)
When was Archduke Franz Ferdinand shot ?
Sunday, 28th June 1914
What was the name of the Serbian terrorist group?
Union or Death (the Black Hand)
What was the polyglot empire?
Austria-Hungary
What was the ‘blank cheque’?
The promise given by Germany to Austria on 5th July 1914, that Germany would support Austria whatever it did
What is an ultimatum?
A list of demands, with a threat of war if they are not met
When was the Austrian ultimatum to Serbia?
23rd July 1914
Why was it significant that Nicholas ordered a ‘general mobilisation’?
At first, he just wanted a partial mobilisation (against Austria) but was told it was impossible so had to order a general mobilisation against Austria and Germany - he sent a telegram to Wilhelm that it was not against him
What was the name of Germany’s military plan and why?
The Schlieffen plan, because it was written by the German army chief of staff Alfred von Schlieffen
Why was the Schlieffen Plan going wrong in August 1914?
Because it relied on defeating France before Russia was ready for war; instead Russia was mobilising and France wasn’t defeated yet
Why did Germany declare war on France?
The Germans claimed that French planes had bombed Nuremberg
Why did Britain declare war on Germany?
Because German troops invaded Belgium and Britain had to defend Belgium by a treaty of 1839
When did Britain declare war on Germany?
00:00 in Germany, 4 August 1914
