Causes of WWI Flashcards
What was the New Course?
The Kaiser dismissed Bismark from his post. Germany felt that it was strong enough to abandon the Bismarkian system of checks and balances. The New Course planned to associate Britain with Italy and Austria, thus holding France and Russia in check. The New Course fell apart almost immediately because Britain was unwilling to enter any binding alliances. The failure of Germany to secure a British alliance meant that they became increasingly reliant on Austria-Hungary. The Kaiser’s state visit to London convinced France and Russia that Britain and Germany had signed a secret alliance. The two states began to negotiate closer relations which became the Franco-Russian entente of 1894.
What was the Upper Nile/Fashoda Crisis? (1898)
This crisis seemed initially to be the worst crisis in Franco-British relations since Waterloo. However, it actually led to an improvement in relations as France agreed to cut its losses in Egypt and gain British backing for their annexation of Morocco. The formation of the Entente Cordial was a consequence of agreements made at Fashoda for closer relations.
How was it perceived that Germany was meddling in British colonial affairs in the Transvaal?
The Kaiser sent a telegram to the leader of the Transvaal congratulating it on its independence. Britain viewed this as Germany meddling in the British Empire and for the first time, anti-German feelings became widespread and intense in Britain.
What was the Anglo-German economic rivalry?
After Germany’s second industrial revolution, they became world leaders in various industries e.g., chemical, electrical, and engineering. German exports had largely displaced the British in the Middle East, South America, and South Africa. There were growing demands in Britain to end free trade. Germany feared that it would be shut out of British markets and this increased demands for a larger colonial empire.
What was the Anglo-German naval rivalry?
Admiral Tirpitz believed that strengthening the German navy would force the British to make major colonial concessions to Germany. The German naval expansion struck at the core of British imperial power. Britain designed the Dreadnought and repeatedly tried to match the Germans ship building programmes. Negotiations were unable to resolve the issues between the two countries.
What was the First Moroccan Crisis?
The German chancellor Count Bernhard von Bulow decided to challenge the French right to rule in Morocco. Optimistically, he believed that he could destroy both the Dual Alliance and Entente Cordial. The Kaiser landed at Tangier and greeted the Sultan of Morocco as an independent ruler. The Germans demanded a conference on the future of Morocco. Only two countries (Austria and Morocco) backed Germany while nine other countries agreed that France had a special interest in Morocco. For the first time since 1870, a Franco-German war seemed a possibility. Both sides prepared for war with each other, Germany developed the Schlieffen Plan.
What was the Second Moroccan Crisis?
As it became clear that France was going to occupy the whole of Morocco, the German government immediately insisted upon territorial compensation. Britain intervened decisively, signalling that they should not be ignored in any Moroccan agreement. This made a Franco-German compromise more difficult. France was allowed to establish a protectorate over Morocco, provided that Germany was given a small part of the French Congo. This was another diplomatic defeat for the Germans as they failed to extract any major concessions from the French. The consequences of the Second Moroccan Crisis are the acceleration of the arms race and the strengthening of the Entente Cordial.
What was the Bosnian Crisis? (1908)
Russia and Austria reached an agreement that Austria could annex Bosnia and Herzegovina while Russian warships would be able to pass through the Straits of Bosporus and Dardanelles. Austria went straight ahead with the annexation but Russia demanded a European conference on the annexation which it said Austria had agreed in principle. Austria refused the conference in fear of being outvoted like in Algeciras. The Bosnian Crisis greatly soured relations between Russia and Austria. Russia no longer trusted Austria and decided that foreign policy towards them would become more aggressive.
What was the consequence of the two Balkan Wars?
It had been caused by fading Ottoman power in the region. Serbia emerged strengthened, so that it was better able to resist pressure from Vienna.
What was the July Crisis?
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was murdered by Gavril Princip who was a member of the Black Hand which was a Serbian terrorist organisation. Germany signed the blank cheque agreement with Austria.
What was the order that each major power declared war on each other?
26th July- Russian mobilisation begins, declaration of war against Austria-Hungary
28th July- Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
1 August- Germany declares war on Russia
3 August- Germany declares war on France
4 August- Britain declares war on Germany
6 August- Austria declares war on Russia
When was the German-Austrian alliance signed?
1879
When was the Franco-Russian alliance signed?
1894
When was the Fashoda Crisis?
1898
When did Italy join Germany and Austria to form the Triple Alliance?
1882
