Chapter 18 Notes Flashcards
By 1914 Europeans had but
been peaceful for about 100 years
countries were competing for colonies
Four factors which fueled tension among Europe’s powers
nationalism, militarism, imperialism/colonial rivalries, system of alliances
1800s various ethnic groups wanted
to gain independence/more political unity
militarism
the glorification of armed strength and the military
military leaders believed
they could achieved their goals through the threat or use of force
By late 1800s
European nations had built large well trained armies
mobilize
to prepare an army for war
military officers
wer also high ranking government officials
British navy world rank
first
the best and largest in the world
Dreadnought (1906)
the world’s first modern battleship
“Two power standard”
the British navy would be stronger than any two powers combined
Germany’s navy rank
second
imperialism
when one country takes control of another country
use colonies as and
new markets
raw materials
Otto von Bismarck
known as the Iron Chancellor
Prime Minister of Prussia
Bismarck’s chief goal
to keep France isolated
France/Russia
Bismarck prevents this alliance
1879 military alliance between
Germany and Austria-Hungary
1881 Three Emperor’s League
an alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia
1882 Triple Alliance
Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary
this kept France isolated and the German borders were secure on the eastern and southern flanks
1887 Reinsurance Treaty
Russia and Germany
Britain’s “splendid isolation”
Britain enjoyed being isolated
1904 Entent Cordial
means “friendly understanding”
signed between Great Britain and France
1907 Triple Entente
France Russia and Great Britain
by 1907 powers of Europe had divided into
two armed camps
Balkan “powder keg”
refers to the high tensions in this area
Ottoman Empire by the early 1900s was weak but located
militarily
strategically
“sick man of Europe”
the major powers of Europe waiting for the Ottoman Empire to collapse
“Slavs”
the predominant ethnic group in central, eastern, southeastern Europe
annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
both were: protectorates of Austria-Hungary and annexed by Austria-Hungary
“powder keg of Europe”
referred to the Balkan peninsula
Archduke Ferdinand
heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne
Sarajevo
the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina
What happened on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo
Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian nationalist
Gavrillo Princip
the member of a Serbian nationalist group that assassinated the Archduke and his wife
“Black Hand”
the national group that claimed responsibility for the assassination
Francis Joseph
the emperor of Austria-Hungary
Kaiser William I
emperor of Germany
“blank check”
a promise by Germany to Austria; Germany gives full support in punishing those responsible
Austria’s ultimatum to Serbia
time frame: two days
A/H officials wanted to try Princip the assassin
If Serbia rejected the ultimatum
war would be declared
July 28,1914
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
August 1, 1914 Germany declared war on and then on August 3. 1914 Germany declared war on
Russia
France
Germany’s situation
they had to fight a war on both sides
Russia-east France-west
Germany’s original objective
defeat France quickly and then focus on Russia
Schlieffen Plan
bypass France and march through Belgium
August 3 Germany invades
Belgium
Belgium was a country
neutral