Causes of WWI Flashcards

1
Q

Why was there a surge in nationalism after the annexation of Bosnia in 1908?

A

The annexation of Bosnia meant that Serbia was denied the chance of an Adriatic port by the Austrian expansion into 375 miles of predominantly Slavic territory.
More slavs were also under foreign control

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2
Q

What affect did the fall of the ottoman empire have on the aims of Balkan powers

A

It was the Balkan States who wanted to support those ethnic minorities they believed to be living under Turkish oppression

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3
Q

What year was the Italian attack on Tripoli

A

1911 - war with Turkey in 1912

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4
Q

Who was the Russian Ambassador to Serbia, was instrumental in forming the Balkan League

A

Nicholas Hartwig

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5
Q

When did Bulgaria and Serbia form an alliance

A

Spring 1912

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6
Q

What did Greece and Montenegro do in May 1912

A

Join Serbia and Bulgaria to form the Balkan League

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7
Q

The league only agreed on one thing …

A

The removal of the ottomans from the Balkans

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8
Q

What year and months did the various nations in the league declare war

A

September (Bulgaria) and October 1912

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9
Q

what treaty after the First balkan war failed to properly address the desires of the Balkan nations

A

Treaty of London 1913

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10
Q

When did Bulgaria launch their surprise attack on Serbia

A

28th June 1913

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11
Q

After the defeat of Bulgaria what happened to Serbia

A

The Treaty of Bucharest granted them significant amounts of Bulgarian land and the country doubled in size.

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12
Q

Consequences of the Balkan wars for Serbia

A
  • Now the significant power in the region
  • Angry at Austria-Hungary for their part in the treaty of London
  • Nationalist groups such as the Black hand began to emerge
  • HOWEVER Bulgaria lost hope in pan-slavism and moved towwards the control of A-H
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13
Q

In july 1913 the German Army reached what milestone

A

Largest army it had ever had

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14
Q

What was signed between Britain and France in 1912

A

Anglo-French Naval agreement - British naval protection given to France in case of German attack

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15
Q

What date was the assasination of AD Franz Ferdinand

A

28th June 1914

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16
Q

What was the Austrian reaction to the assassination

A

a personal level Emperor Franz Joseph was far from devastated by the death of his nephew; he didn’t think he was conservative enough and he disapproved of his marriage to the non-royal Sophie Chotek - Austrians, however, were appalled by the assassination

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17
Q

Who was pushing for an immediate invasion of serbia

A

Chief of Staff Conrad von Hotzendorf

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18
Q

The Austrians knew that Russia would support their client state so what did they do

A

Look for a guarantee of German support

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19
Q

What date was the ‘blank cheque handed to Austria

A

5th July

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20
Q

What promise did Germany make in the Blank cheque

A

‘Austria can rest assured that His Majesty will faithfully stand by Austria Hungary as is required by the obligations of its alliance’

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21
Q

By the 14th of July what had Austria decided

A

they would go to war but they decided to first draw up an ultimatum

22
Q

When did the Austrians send the ultimatum

A

23rd July - it must be responded to in 48 hrs and the Serbians must agree to all terms

23
Q

what are some areas of debate around the ultimatum

A
  • the ultimatum was meant to be impossible to agree to however serbia nearly agreed to all terms due to their exhausted army this shows that war could have been easily avoided if A-H had been willing to have further negotiations
24
Q

What was Russia’s response to the ultimatum

A

25th they promised to go to the limit in defence of Serbia - not necessarily military support

25
When did A-H declare war on Serbia
28th July 1914
26
When was Belgrade finally taken
30th Nov
27
When did Germany begin to mobilise
30th July - Moltke was also sending telegrams to A-H encouraging their mobilisation
27
When did Germany begin to mobilise
30th July - Moltke was also sending telegrams to
28
When did Russia begin full mobilisation
30th July
29
When did A-H fully mobilise
31st July
30
When did Germany declare war on Russia
1st August
31
France was committed to offering military support to Russia because of what agreement
Dual Entente
32
When did Germany declare war on France
3rd August 1914
33
In what treaty had Britain and Germany agreed to protect the neutrality of Belgium
Treaty of London 1839 - Germany had violated this by carrying out the Schlieffen plan
34
Edward Grey - British Foreign secretary stalled not declaring war on anyone for as long as possible what might have been different if he had shown their true loyalties
It has since been said that if Britain had stated clearly his support for France then Germany wouldn’t have proceeded so far in its mobilisation
35
Britians response to the invasion of Belgium
4th August - sent an ultimatum to germany to withdraw their troops or face war - germany ignored and war was declared the same day
36
A-H motives for war
- Long-held desire to crush Serbia ~ Believed lack of action would expose the decline of their empire ~ Believed full mobilisation was needed or they would be exposed to an attack from Russia
37
German motives for war
~ They were initially outraged by the assassination which prompted the ‘blank cheque’ ~ Military officials wanted a small-scale war against Russia before its armies grew to large ~ Moltke was keen to show his authority in Germany
38
Russian motives for war
~ They were determined not to lose their title as ‘Protector of Slavs’ ~ Generals asserted themselves onto Tsar and pushed for general mobilisation ~ Concerns over the strength of the Russian army may have convinced officials that mobilisation before the other Powers was better
39
France's motives for war
~ Motivated by fear of a strong Germany and their want of revanche ~ They had to support Russia according to the terms of the Dual Alliance ~ Wanted to persuade Britain to announce support for France and Russia in the hope it would encourage Germany to back down
40
Britain motives for war
~ Grey was mildly anti-German but mainly hoped to not make any commitments ~ Lloyd George was the highest-ranking cabinet member opposed to war, however, his opposition dropped after the invasion of Belgium ~ Defence of Belgium was an excuse not an actual binding The Coming of War, 1911-17 10
41
Italy initially declared its neutrality on 2nd August 1914
many felt this broke the terms of the triple alliance
42
Italy's motives for war
- if they stayed neutral it was likely that they would be treated harshly post war - they wanted Tyrol and Istria - the British promised Italy these lands during negotiations in 1915
43
Treaty of London between the allies and Italy signed on 26th April 1915 When did Italy declare war?
Declared war on A-H on the 24th May 1915
44
why would America not want to join the war
- Public favoured isolationism - they saw the wars as monarchies fighting it out (they didn't like European politics - War brought economic instability
45
Financial reasons for intervention
The US were trading more with the allies (Britains naval blockade) The British were borrowing money so if the allies lost they wouldn't get it back
46
Sinking of the Lusitania
7th May 1915 - sunk by german U-boat | still 2 years before declaration of war though
47
when was Unrestricted submarine warfare restarted
1st Feb 1917
48
The Zimmerman telegram
German foregin minister proposes mexico should invade the USA in retune for an alliance with the central powers
49
when did the US declare war
2nd April Congress voted for war | 6th April the US went to war