Causes of WWI - Imperialism (Britain, France, Germany) Flashcards
What is an empire?
When a group of countries is ruled over by another country
Why did countries like Britain and Germany want large empires?
It gave the countries a sense of pride and prestige (respect)
In 2014, how many Britons said they were proud of the British Empire?
59%
Which two countries had the largest empires in 1900?
Britain and France
Why was Germany’s empire relatively small
It had only become a nation in 1871 so had missed out on the opportunity to build an empire like Britain’s which had been built up for hundreds of years
Why did the Kaiser desperately want an empire?
Because he knew to be a Great Power, you needed to have an empire
How big was Germany’s empire by 1914?
Third largest - but a long way behind France who had the second largest
What is a colony?
A country under the control of another (e.g. India was a British colony)
Name three of Germany’s African colonies
Any of:
Tanzania
Rwanda
Burundi
Namibia
How many square miles did the British Empire cover?
11 million
What was famously said about the British Empire?
“The sun never set on the British Empire”
Name three colonies in the British Empire in 1914
Any of:
India Australia Canada New Zealand South Africa Hong Kong
Which two places made up most of France’s empire?
West Africa
Indochina (e.g. Vietnam, Cambodia)
What is meant by ‘imperialism’?
To do with empires
Why did imperialism contribute to militarism?
Because to take over colonies, you are likely going to need to increase the size of your armed forces
Who started increasing the size of their armed forces so they could increase the size of their empire?
Germany
Who felt threatened by Germany increasing the size of their armed forces? Why?
Britain and France - they did not want to compete for their empire
When was the Morocco Crises?
1905 and 1911
What did the Morocco Crises do to tensions in Europe?
Increase them
Why was Morocco strategically important?
It was located near the Strait of Gibraltar and had ports in both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic
What triggered the 1905 Moroccan Crisis?
Kaiser Wilhelm gave a speech supporting Moroccan independence. This infuriated France who wanted to take over Morocco
What was held to try and resolve the 1905 Moroccan Crisis?
A conference between Britain, France and Germany in 1906
Why did the 1906 conference increase tensions?
1) The Kaiser, who wanted to be seen as an impressive imperial leader, was essentially ignored by Britain and France.
2) The Kaiser was also angry at how Britain and France ganged up against Germany
What did Britain and France do as a result of the 1905 crisis?
Britain and France allied with Russia to form the Triple Entente because they wanted to check Germany’s power
What triggered the 1911 crisis?
The French tried to take over Morocco again. The Kaiser, unhappy with this, sent a German gunboat to Agadir (a port in Morocco)
Where is Agadir?
In Morocco, on the Atlantic coast
What was called to resolve the 1911 crisis?
Another conference
How was the 1911 crisis resolved?
France was allowed to take over Morocco
Germany received land in central Africa compensation
Why did the Kaiser again leave the 1911 crisis unhappy?
Because Britain and France ganged up on him
What did Britain and France agree in secret after the 1911 crisis?
That Britain should patrol the Atlantic and France should patrol the Mediterranean
Overall, why were the Moroccan Crises significant?
They raised the tensions in Europe, and divided it firmly between Britain and France - and Germany
