Conflict and Tension 1888-1914 Flashcards

1
Q

Describe Kaiser Wilhem

A
  • withered arm, partly deaf
  • wanted to be seen as a strong military leader
  • unstable, needed to prove
  • Jealous of Britain’s navy
  • Grandson of Queen Victoria
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2
Q

What did the Industrial Revolution allow?

A

Electricity, motor vehicles, aircraft, warships, guns

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3
Q

Why were the factory workers upset?

A

Because the Kaiser promised to spend lots of money on the navy instead of improving life quality

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4
Q

When did Britain build the dreadnought?

A

1905

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5
Q

Describe the WeltPolitik

A
Kaiser Wilhem's aims in foreign policy 
- overseas Empire
- strong country
Aims :
Transform Germany into a global power through conquering colonies and a large navy.
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6
Q

Militarism

A

When military matters influence a country’s policy which makes them build up armed forces

Germany used money for navy

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7
Q

Alliances

A

Divided Europe into two.

Germany, Austria, Italy
France, Britain, Russia

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8
Q

Imperialism

A

The desire to conquer countries.

Germany wanted a bigger Empire

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9
Q

Nationalism

A

Belief your country is better than others.

Wanted to have a larger Empire/ conquer others

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10
Q

Tension between Russia and Germany before 1914

A
  • Russia was alarmed by it’s growth and increase in military power.
  • Both wanted to control Bolkans.
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11
Q

Tension between France and Germany before 1914

A
  • Scared/feared navy but wanted Empire

- Wanted Alsace-Lorraine back

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12
Q

Tension between Britain and Germany before 1914

A
  • Suspicious of navy building

- Germany jealous of Britain’s Empire

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13
Q

When and why did France and Russia become allies?

A

1892 - They both felt threatened by Germany

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14
Q

When and why did France and Britain form the Dual Entente?

A

1904 - Became friends, put differences aside but not allies yet

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15
Q

When and why did the Triple Entente form?

A

1907 - They were all afraid of Germany’s rise.

Britain - Kept Empire safe and put differences aside.

France - Promised help if land was attacked again as they lost Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in 1895.

Russia - They wanted to catch up with Western European powers and control South East Europe so they need help from Europe to balance Germany’s power.

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16
Q

When and why did the Triple Alliance with Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy form?

A

1882 (1879 between Germany and Austria-Hungary)

Germany - felt surrounded (circle of steel) so they wanted protection from Austria-Hungary on the South East side. Both German speakers.

Austria-Hungary - They wanted the Serbs to not take their land away so they could live together or people to break from their Empire and control the Bolkans. With the help of Germany (a major power) this was possible.

Italy - Was a weak country but they wanted to build an overseas Empire. This alliance helped them become stronger in military and industry.

17
Q

Define
Empire
colonies
colonial rivalry

A
  • When one country conquers other countries to make them their own.
  • The countries that have been conquered (e.g Canada, Egypt, India, New Zealand - British Empire)
18
Q

Explain the Splendid Isolation

A
  • Until 1900 this was Britain’s policy, to stay out of European affairs.
  • They abandoned it because:
    When France and Russia made an alliance they needed an ally in Europe as they were threatened by Germany’s navy.
    In the Boer War, Germany expressed support for the Boers as opposed to Britain.
    In 1896 the Kaiser sent a telegram to Paul Kruger (president of Transvaal, South Africa) to congratulate him on standing up to Britain.
19
Q

Summarise the key events of the Morocco Crisis 1905.

A
  • In 1905, the Kaiser visited Morocco (North Africa) when Germany was building its own Empire (mainly the centre and south Africa)
  • The French had plans to conquer Morocco but the Kaiser supported their independence.
  • The Kaiser was sure that rivals Britain and France weren’t truly friends however when he put forward a speech on independence his views were openly rejected as Britain and France stood firmly together.
  • The Kaiser tested the Dual Entente.
20
Q

What were the results of the Morocco Crisis 1905.

A
  • Tried to prove that Germany could influence international decisions however the Kaiser was humiliated.
  • International crisis.
21
Q

Summarise the events of the Morocco Crisis 1911.

A
  • The French tried to take over Morocco again.
  • France said they’d compensate if Germany’s trade with Africa was interfered.
  • Germany used a more forceful tactic to make them listen by sending a gunboat called the Panther.
  • Britain feared that the Kaiser wanted to set up a naval base in Adagir. They didn’t want German boats in the Mediterranean.
  • Another conference took place where Britain and France stood firm against Germany.
22
Q

What was the result of the Moroccan Crisis 1911.

A
  • France gained control of Morocco and Germany gained some marshland (central Africa) as compensation.
  • Britain and France agreed that France should patrol the Mediterranean and the Royal Navy defend France’s Atlantic and North Atlantic and north sea coasts.
23
Q

Describe the Two Power Standard.

A

1889- Britain decided that her fleet should be larger than the next two powers combined (France and Russia).

24
Q

Explain the Germany Naval Law.

A
  • Tirpitz (head of navy) passed the German Naval Law in 1898 that “Germany to maintain a fleet of 19 battleships).
  • In 1900 the Second Naval Law was passed that “Germany fleet size set at 38 battleships”.

Doubled in two years.

25
Q

QUESTIONS

Explain Tirpitz’s reasons for building the German Navy.

A

Their aim was to build the second largest navy in the world after Britain, advancing as a world power.
He believed naval power was an absolute necessity which was key for survival.

26
Q

QUESTIONS

What relationship did Tirpitz want with Britain?

A

Although Britain would have more, Tirpitz wanted them to see Germany as an equal so they wouldn’t attack.
In order to defeat them,they should be afraid of their navy.

27
Q

QUESTIONS

Why did the Kaiser want to have a large navy?

A
  • Defend their growing trade as they told Britain however it was really to conquer countries.
  • Make Britain fear them.
  • Becoming a leading power.
28
Q

QUESTIONS

Why did the British find the Germans so threatening?

A
  • Because we had a large empire and therefore a large navy and we were an island but Germany’s Empire was smaller as was their coastline so they didn’t need a large navy/ warships.
29
Q

QUESTIONS

Why did the introduction of the dreadnoughts make other battleships seem obsolete?

A
  • Because they had a massive amount of new guns.
  • Faster, manoueverable, advanced
  • Better warships
30
Q

QUESTIONS

What were the results in England because of the Arms race?

A
  • Nearly an English Civil War because the Parliament refused to accept taxes from the rich on dreadnoughts although the public and government found it necessary for an Empire.
31
Q

QUESTIONS

Why did Colonial Rivalry lead to an arms race?

A
  • They both wanted a large empire which needed dreadnoughts to defend them e.g Morocco.
32
Q

QUESTIONS

Why did the Alliance System lead to an arms race?

A
  • Germany felt encircled by enemies e.g Britain, France and Russia (circle of steel) which caused a naval race.
  • Keep building a navy to keep up.
33
Q

QUESTIONS

Why might the arms race cause Britain to declare war on Germany sooner rather than later?

A
  • It was a competition over who could build the biggest Empire so if you wait you’re allowing them to build a navy which war could end.
34
Q

QUESTIONS
Based on the Telegraph Interview:
What does the Kaiser say about Britain and why did Germany allow it to be published?

A
  • Wants to be their friend although they’re making it difficult for him.
  • Shows Germany in a good light.
35
Q

QUESTIONS

What are the main provisions of the Schlieffen Plan?

A
  • Allows them to quickly attack and defeat France through Belgium because they had patrols on the border of France.
  • Allows them to defeat France first instead of fighting France and Russia at the same time if war broke out.
36
Q

QUESTIONS

If dispute arose between Russia and Germany why would the Schlieffen Plan drag in France and Britain?

A
  • They were planning to attack France because they didn’t want to fight France and Russia at the same time.
  • Britain had the BEF Professional Fighters of 150,000 men who could fight alongside France. They signed a contract to defend Belgium.
37
Q

In 1911, summarise the key views of Davis George (leading government minister) and Von Moltke (head of the German Army).

A
  • Britain’s a great country.
  • He wants peace but if peace comes at a price of losing the Empire he doesn’t want peace to be worth the humiliation.
  • It’s getting on his nerves because they’re losing the argument.
  • To stop the humiliation, they need to go to war i.e be more aggressive.
  • If they lose the war they might as well let Japan (a rising power) control them.