Conflict and tension. Flashcards
How had Germany united?
From a collection of smaller states in 1870
After Germany had united with other countries what succesful thing happened?
A succesful war against France Led to Germany taking control of Alsace Lorraine which was an important industrial area in France.
Describe German industry in 1914.
It grew rapidly and it was outproducing Britain.
Who did Germany form an alliance with and when?
Austria Hungary in 1872 Italy in 1882
By 1982 what was Germany worried about?
Being encircled by France and Russia who has become an alliance.
How was the triple alliance formed?
When Austria Hungary and Italy joined Germany to form the triple alliance.
What was the triple alliance?
It was a secret agreement that each of the countries in the alliance also known as the central powers would defend each other from attack.
When Austria Hungary joined the triple alliance how would you describe it?
It was a huge empire and it contained a number of differerent nationalities and ethnic groups.
What types of groups were in Austria Hungary?
Czechs and Serbs they had been seeking their independence from the Austro-hungarian empire.
Why did Serbia pose a threat?
Recently became an independent country and was on the border with A-H Was getting more powerful so posed a threat
Who was Serbia also supported by?
Russia
Why did Italy join the triple alliance?
Was not a major military power but joined in the hope of building an empire of its own
What was the secret alliance that was formed?
in 1892 between France and Russia.
In 1892 what were France and Russia concerned about?
The growing power of Germany. So France built up its industry and military.
What did France want to regain?
Alsace-lorraine which it had lost to Germany.
When Russia was in the secret alliance describe what it was like.
Largest power in Europe, buliding an army. Economically backwards and very agrarian as its economy was based on farming.
What did France do to Russia when it was in alliance?
Lent money to build up its industry.
Who was Russia keen to defend?
The serbs as they were both part of the same ethnic groups called slavs, this caused tension between Russia and Austria Hungary.
When did the triple entente form?
In 1907 Britain, France and Russia formed the triple entente.
Who had been the biggest threats to Britain?
France and Russia but this changed because Germany was seen as an increasing threat as the Kaiser wanted to build up a German navy and empire.
Russia was weakened by war with _____
Japan in 1904-1905
France and Russia had ended confict over their colonies in Africa.
When did Britain sign the agreement which created the triple entente?
France in 1904 Russia in 1907
Name all the crises in the balkans and morroco
1905 The First Morrocan Crises 1908 The Balkan Crises 1911 The Agadir Crises (the second morrocan crises)
Causes of the first morrocan crises.
Tension in Europe as Germany wanted a place in the sun to build its empire.
Morroco was important because of it strategic position. Any country with a port in Morroco had good access to the Mediteranean Sea.
Morroco had good access to Mediteranean Sea.
Morroco was weak and France wanted to conquer it.
Feb 1905 France demanded contorl over Morrocan army adn police, Sultan refused.
Describe the first morrocan crises.
In March 1905 the kaiser made a speech in Morroco supporting morrocan independence and the sultan. He said he wanted free trade for Germany in Morroco and promised to defend Morroco. The Kaiser beleived this was an opportunity to increase Germanys influence in Africa. This angered France who planned to take control of Morroco, it was an international crises France and Germany threatened war. Britain feared other countries might start questioning Britains empire if Morroco succesfully gained independence and encouraged France to not back down. An international conference convened in Algeciras, Spain, in January 1906 to conclude an agreement about Morocco and settle this dispute caused more tension. Germany felt ignored and worried by the way France and Britain supported each other. Only a-h voted to support Germanys demands so Germany was forced to backed down. The crises was one of the ways why Britain France and Russia formed the Triple Entente.
What were the consequences of The first morrocan crises.
Triple entente strengthened this further and divided Europe into two sides.
France was angry with Germany relations between the countries deteriorated.
Britain became more suspicious of Germany because of their imperialism and building a Navy.
Germany had to stay out of morroco and felt humiliated.
Causes of the Bosnian crises.
Serbia aimed to unite all slavs living in the Austro-hungarian Empire
A-H opposed this as it was worried about the breakup of its empire.
Describe the crises in the Balkans.
The Balkans was an area influenced by two rival empires Austria Hungary and Russia, which was unstable as these countries were becoming independent. In 1908 Austria annexed Bosnia and this angered Serbia and A-H appealed for help to Russia. Germany supported Austria which forced Russia to back down as they did not want to fight with Germany alone and Serbia.
Consequences of the Balkan crises.
Austria hungary felt it had the full support of Germany
Italy had backed away from the triple alliance it did not like how austria hungary behaved.
Russia had been humiliated.
Brought Britain France and Russia together
Serbia was forced to accept the annexation of Bosnia but was now determined to oppose A-H
Describe the Agadir Crises
1911 a rebellion against the Sultan broke out in Fez the Moroccan capital. Sultan appealed to the French for help who sent an army.
Germany opposed French action and sent a gunboat called the panther to Agadir the port to protect the interest of Morocco in response to France moving to take over Morocco.
Use of gunboat by Germany was an over reaction
Naval action led to Britain supporting France.
Again war was avoided but Britain and France came to a further agreement to use their navies to contain the German army.
Preparations for war made by Britain France and Germany.
In the end Germany backed down.
Consequences of Agadir Crises?
Germany humiliated and less likely to back down in future crises
The German people became increasingly annoyed with Britain and France so it increased support for war within Germany
Britain became more convinced that Germany wanted to dominate Europe.
Britain reached a secret naval agreement with France, this strengthened the triple entente.
Italy opposed Germany over Agadir which weakened the triple alliance, Germany become more reliant on Austria Hungary.
What was Britains approach to foreign policy?
Britain had the largest Empire and navy in the world. Its approach to foreign policy was known as “splendid isolation” This meant avoiding getting dragged into alliances in Europe.
How was Germany and Britain linked?
Germany was Britains main trading partner outside of Europe. The monarchy in Britain and Germany was also linked by blood as they were family relatives However Britain would oppose any attempt by Germany to gain colonies or develop its navies.
What was Germanys more aggressive foreign policy?
Wilhelm II wanted Germany to have more important role in curent world affairs. He wanted Germany to build up an empire, and have infulence in Europe. This would be achieved through a large navy, intimidation, and diplomacy. -this was known as weltpolitik.
What do historians debate about Germans foreign policy?
Germany was militaristic and held huge military rallies, there is a debate by historians about whether his policy was agressive or defensive because Germany felt encircled by its enemies.
When did the Kaiser announce plans for a large German navy?
1898
Why did Germany want to do with its navy?
It would be far smaller than the British navy but it would not be spread out across an empire like the British Navy was.
What did the Brirtsh think of how Germany was expanding its army?
Germany insisted the navy was designed to protect Germanys oversea empire but Britain saw this as a threat.
What did Britain do in response to Germany building up its navy?
In 1906 the HMS dreadnought was launched. This was a new class of powerful warship.
