Causes Of WW1 (b1) Flashcards
1
Q
Kaiser Wilhelm II and Weltpolitik (1888-1914)
A
- era of militarism
- German population increase
- high industrial capacity (steel production outstripped B,F,R combined)
- Europe wary of Germany
- World Power- Germany must have powerful military, diplomat and economy. Led to competition with B,F over ships, armies and Morrocan land
2
Q
Moroccan Crises 1905-1911
A
- Entente Cordiale: Britain would gain NE Africa, France would gain NW Africa (containing Morocco)
- Germany saw as a threat
- Germany offered support to Moroccan government. Seen as aggressive so Britain and Russia supported France at Algeciras Conference
- 1906 France wins claim to Morocco
- Plan to take military action against Germany
- 1911 French influence in Morocco increased
- Germany sent ships to coast
- Britain supports France, Austria-Hungary doesn’t support Germany
- humiliated, Germany backs down
- 1912, Anglo-French Agreement (Entente Cordiale becomes a military alliance)
- France seeks revenge again
- arms race intensifies
3
Q
Anglo-German Naval Rivalry 1898-1914
A
- Britain had largest naval force in the world, Germany sought to emulate this
- Germany wanted navy to be 2/3s of Britain’s to intimidate them so they could acquire a sizeable overseas empire
- 1898, Germany introduces naval shipbuilding programme
- 1906, Britain introduces Dreadnought (powerful battleship)
- 1907 and 1913, Britain increased naval expenditure by 60%. Gained funds by turning popular opinion against Germany (public geared to war by 1914)
4
Q
Arms Race and and War Plans of Great Powers
A
- European nations built up armed forces and developed war plans in preparation for war
- France: Plan XVII (quick dash to recover Alsace Lorraine)
- Germany: Schlieffen Plan
- war plans meant war would not be confined to a small area
5
Q
Schlieffen Plan 1895
A
- solution to encirclement after 1894 Dual Entente
- attack Belguim to attack France
- defeat France in 6 weeks then fight Russia
- risk bringing Britain into war
