Conflict and tension. Flashcards
1
Q
How had Germany united?
A
From a collection of smaller states in 1870
2
Q
After Germany had united with other countries what succesful thing happened?
A
A succesful war against France Led to Germany taking control of Alsace Lorraine which was an important industrial area in France.
3
Q
Describe German industry in 1914.
A
It grew rapidly and it was outproducing Britain.
4
Q
Who did Germany form an alliance with and when?
A
Austria Hungary in 1872 Italy in 1882
5
Q
By 1982 what was Germany worried about?
A
Being encircled by France and Russia who has become an alliance.
6
Q
How was the triple alliance formed?
A
When Austria Hungary and Italy joined Germany to form the triple alliance.
7
Q
What was the triple alliance?
A
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.
8
Q
When Austria Hungary joined the triple alliance how would you describe it?
A
It was a huge empire and it contained a number of differerent nationalities and ethnic groups.
9
Q
What types of groups were in Austria Hungary?
A
Czechs and Serbs they had been seeking their independence from the Austro-hungarian empire.
10
Q
Why did Serbia pose a threat?
A
Recently became an independent country and was on the border with A-H Was getting more powerful so posed a threat
11
Q
Who was Serbia also supported by?
A
Russia
12
Q
Why did Italy join the triple alliance?
A
Was not a major military power but joined in the hope of building an empire of its own
13
Q
What was the secret alliance that was formed?
A
in 1892 between France and Russia.
14
Q
In 1892 what were France and Russia concerned about?
A
The growing power of Germany. So France built up its industry and military.
15
Q
What did France want to regain?
A
Alsace-lorraine which it had lost to Germany.
16
Q
When Russia was in the secret alliance describe what it was like.
A
Largest power in Europe, buliding an army. Economically backwards and very agrarian as its economy was based on farming.
17
Q
What did France do to Russia when it was in alliance?
A
Lent money to build up its industry.
18
Q
Who was Russia keen to defend?
A
The serbs as they were both part of the same ethnic groups called slavs, this caused tension between Russia and Austria Hungary.
19
Q
When did the triple entente form?
A
In 1907 Britain, France and Russia formed the triple entente.
20
Q
Who had been the biggest threats to Britain?
A
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.
21
Q
Russia was weakened by war with _____
A
Japan in 1904-1905
France and Russia had ended confict over their colonies in Africa.
22
Q
When did Britain sign the agreement which created the triple entente?
A
France in 1904 Russia in 1907
23
Q
Name all the crises in the balkans and morroco
A
1905 The First Morrocan Crises 1908 The Balkan Crises 1911 The Agadir Crises (the second morrocan crises)
24
Q
Causes of the first morrocan crises.
A
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.
25
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.
26
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.
27
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.
28
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.
29
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
30
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.
31
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.
32
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.
33
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.
34
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.
35
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.
36
When did the Kaiser announce plans for a large German navy?
1898
37
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.
38
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.
39
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.
40
In response to the HMS dreadnought what did Germany do?
1908 Germany launched 4 dreadnoughts which brought it close to Britains total. by 1914 Germany had 17 dreadnoughts and Britain had 29.
41
What did many countries think that the alliance system and tensions in Europe would cause?
War was unavoidable.
42
What did all the major powers do to their armies?
Increased the size of their armies, by 1910 France, Britain, Russia and Germany all had armies of nearly one million men or more. The powers also developed war plans in preperation for conflict.
43
How did the Germans prepare for conflict?
Schlieffen plan prepared for a fast strike on France before turning their forces on Russia who would be slow to mobilise and have their army ready for battle.
44
How did the French prepare for battle?
Plan 17 also planned for a quick war, with the army marching rapidly into the centre of Germany.
45
How did the British prepare for battle?
They prepared to send a well trained British expeditionary force of 150,000 men to France to fight Germany if they attacked.
46
What was the anglo russian agreement?
In 1907, a friendly agreement which solved colonial disputes between Britain and Russia, Germany percieved this as Britain leaving isolation and joining France and Russia, Germany felt threatened and that Britain France and Russia had trapped it to encirclement.
47
How was Austrian Franz Ferdinand assasinated by serbian nationalists?
* Franz Ferdinand was visiting Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia which was under Austrian control
* The asssasination was carried out by a group called Black hand gang and they were serb nationalists who wanted Bosnia to be free from Austria and join with Serbia
* The first attempt to throw a bomb at the royal bomb was unsuccessful
* However this led to change in the planned route and later in the day the Archduke's driver got lost
* The car stopped just meters away from one of the assasins Gavrilo Princip who shot the Archduke and his wife Sophie. Both were killed
48
How did Austria Hungary decide to respond to the assasination?
* Austria Hungary decided to deal harshly with Serbia following the assasination.
* Austria was keen to reduce the power of Serbia ans strnghten their control in the Balkans.
* Germany was keen to show that it has strong influece in Europe.
* Austrian nationalists also saw Serbs as inferior
49
During the assasination of ADFF how powerful was Serbia?
Increased power due to series of war in the Balkans
Now the most powerful country in the region
Had support of Russia who had become increasingly agressive after being forced to back down in 1909
50
How did the July Crises escalate to conflict?
* On 23rd of July Austria sent an ultimatum to Serbia.
* This was a list of demands that Serbia had to accept or face war.
* The demands were very harsh however Serbia was keen to avoid war and accepted 9 out of 10 demands
* However they were unwilling to accept Austria interfering the Serbian justice system to punish the assasins.
* Serbia offered to allow the matter to be settled at the International Court but Austria refused.
* On July 28th Austria declared war against Serbia
* On 30 July Russia mobilised its forces against Austria and Germany and Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August.
* However at this stage the conflict was only in Eastern Europe.
51
Describe the Schlieffen plan
* Germany had to act quickly to carry out their plan to defeat France before facing Russia
* As a result the German Army began a planned invasion of France hoping for victory in 6 weeks.
* The german plan involved attacking France through Belgium. A treaty in 1839 had promised that belgium neutrality would be respected
* German troops invaded Belgium on the 4th August
* Britain sent an ultimatum to Germany ordering them to withdraw.
* They did not so by midnight on the 4th of August Britian declared war on Germany
* Austria then declared war on Russia on 6 August
52
How did the war become stalemate?
* Strong resistance meant that German army took longer than expected to move through Belgium
* Russia also managed to mobilise quickly than expected which forced the Germans to move 100,000 troops East and the British Expeditionary Force managed to slow the German advance
* A combined British and French force managed to hold the Germans at the Battle of the Marne and even succeeded in pushing back the German army
* By early September both sides dug trenches to defend the lands they held
* Throughout October both sides tried to outflank the enemy in the race to the sea but neither side suceeded.
53
By the end of 1914 what ran from the sea to the alps?
A network of trenches
54
What were front line trenches for?
Fighting troops and reserve and support trenches further back which allowed troops to rest and be resupplied
55
Why were trenches effective?
Effective defense tactic.
Protected troops from snipers an artillery attacks.
They reduced effectivness of calvary and so infantry charges which were attack led by foot soldiers became main force of attack.
56
What were infantry charges known as?
'going over the top' they were ussually preceded by an artillery barrage. It was hope that these would eventually wear down enemys defemces.
57
What happened to infantry tactics throughout the war?
They improved, use of artilery became better coordinated and troops were protected by camaflauge and steel helmets which were introduced in 1916
58
What did soldiers spend doing a lot in trenches?
Large scale attacks were not common so they spend time digging or repairing trenches or moving equipment
Performed sentry duty which is watching for enemy attacks.
59
What did sappers try to do?
Mine under enemy trenches
60
What are trench raids?
Regular small attacks, which would attempt to capture prisoners or gather information
61
Describe trench conditions
- Would be appaling especially in early stages of the war
- Summer they would smell
- In winter they would be waterlogged and led to problems like trench foot
- Rats and lice were a serious problem
62
How did soldiers cope with trench conditions?
* war was justified and were patriotic and proud to fight for their country
* war gave sense of adventure
* soilders first opportunity to travel
* soldiers given lots of leisure time
* troop rotation meant soliders spent 10 days per month in trenches and little as 3 days in front line trenches
* comradeship important, many signed up in 'pals battalions' with people they knew and many developed close relationships with soldiers.
* Soldiers morale kept up by letters from home, good food, luxuries like chocolate and cigarettes
63
Bad things about war for soliders
- Serious punishements for breaking rules in army
- Soldiers could be court martialled and even executed
64
How long did trench warfare continue on western front?
Till 1918
65
How was technology like artillery developed duirng the war?
Biggest development.
Crucial to any infantry charge.
By 1918 barrages carefully timed to protect infantry and allow them to attack succesfully.
Each country produced thousands of shells per month to use on western front
66
How was technology like machine guns developed during the war?
Huge defensive advantage from start of war
1918 most platoons had own machine guns
67
How was technology like poison gas developed during the war?
First used in 1915
But gas masks developed quickly to protect troops
More effective poison gas continued to develop through war.
Mustard gave blisters and lead to blindness
68
How was technology like planes developed during the war?
Used for reconnaissance for spying on troops
By 1915 planes were also fitted wiht machine guns and used for attack
69
How was technology like tanks developed during the war?
Developed during end of war, but were obtuse and unreliable
70
Describe the battle of verdun
* Neither side able to break stalemate in 1915 Britain, France and Germany had all faced heavy losses in attempts to break through enemy lines.
* Falkenhayn the German commander developed strategy of attrition.
* Involved repeated large scale attack which would eventually break down enemy resistance
* German plan was to launch a huge attack on verdun and area surrounded by strong French forces.
* Attack began in February 1916
* French managed to hold on but both sides suffered appaling casualties.
* Casualties fairly even so attrition was not working.
* But German army had more resources so could hold out longer
* By July 1916 700,00 men had been killed and French army was close to collapse.
71
Describe the battle of the somme
Before attack of verdun Britain France planned joint offensive along River Somme
British forced to launch attack in July to relieve pressure on French army
British led by Douglas Haig
He warned govenment in advance that offecnsive would cause lots of casualties
In attempt to minimise loss, attack was preceded by huge artillery bombardment lasting a week
But this failed to destroy German barbed wire and deep German dug outs meant soldiers were well protected
When bombardment ended German soldiers rushed to set up machine gun positions.
The british advanced against these defences, suffering 57,000 casualties on day one
fighting on somme lasted until november and casualties on both sides were around 1.25 million men
The british managed to push back the German Army
72
Describe the battle of paschendale
* Or the third battle of Ypres, began in July 1917
* British denoated mined under German artillery positions at Messines and caused huge causualties
* But heavy rain made ground very boggy and British infantry struggled to advance.
* British suffered heavy losses.
* Tanks used in november in attempt to break the deadlock but without infantry support they were not able o hold gained ground
* British and French losses were over a quarter of a million
* For germany losses were greater
73
What were the other theatres of war?
On the eastern front russia Austria Germany were suffering huge casualties
Turkey fighting on the side of Central powers and fighting between British and Turks in middle East
74
What was winston chruchills plan to break stalemate?
* By attacking through a stretch of water called the Dardnelles Strait
* Allow navy supplies to be transported to Russia
* British navy launched attack on march 1915, bombarding the forts which lines both sides of the dardanelles
* But mines had been laid on the strait and this combined with shell fire from forts made it impossible for British ships to advance
75
Desribe the battle of Gallipoli
* Due to winston churchills plan failing the plan was changed.
* A land amry would instead have to capture the peninsula before another naval attack.
* British French and ANZAC troops landed on helles beach
* But beach was overlooked by hills and the Turks had dug trenches and strengthened their defences.
* Allied troops forced to dig own trenches but conditions in heat were dreadful and disease spread quickly.
* Second attempt on another beach also failed and by the winter it was clear operation had failed.
76
Describe how naval tactics developed during the war?
Before war both sides had developed huge navies to prepare for war at sea
Naval tactics continued to develop during war.
Radios improved to allow ships to communicate and torpedoes developed.
Submarines were also developed an used partically effectively by Germans.
77
Describe the battle of Jutland
In 1916
Germany lost 13 ships in this battle
British lost 14 ships and in general these were larger more poweful ships.
But it was the last time the German fleet was able to fight and Britain controlled sea for rest of war.
78
What was the aim of the british navy?
Prevent supplies reaching Germany by creating a blockade.
particularly successful at battle of Jutland
By 1918 Germans were starving and there was a mutiny in the German Navy
79
How did Germans respond to the blockade?
* Use U-Boat submarines
* to sink ships bringins supplies to Britain
* This helped bring USA into war as American ships were also attacked by the Germans.
* British developed convoy system to protect their ships, large ships were supported by fast destroyers and other anti-submarine defences
80
How did America get involved in 1917?
* USA was neutral at start of war.
* Most people in America did not support USA getting involved in conflict
* But USA did help the allies by giving them loans and equipment.
* In 1915 German UBoat attack on a passenger ship called Lusitania resulted in death of over 1000 people.
* 128 of these were Americans.
* Lusitania carried war materials which led to an explosion so it sank quickly. But this was denied and Germnay was critisised for the attacl.
* Because of risk of war with America, Germany stopped policy of unrestricted submarine wardare which was not to attack any ships which could be bringins supplies to Britain.
81
By 1917 what happened to Germany?
It was in a desperate situation
As a result they resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.
Very effective in short term and severly limited supplies to Britain.
82
What led to America joining the war?
Early 1917 the Zimmerman telegram was discovered which showed Germany planned to form an alliance against USA with Mexico.
this and attacks on American ships led to USA joining war on allied side on April 1917
83
Describe the US navy
* 3rd largest navy in the world now supported British ships crossing Atlantic.
* More loans also made to Britain.
* But would take a long time to train US troops and produce equipment.
* In summer 1918 one million US troops landed in Europe making huge contribution to allied war effort.
84
How was Russia after the war?
Badly affected, March 1917 these problems contributed to a revolution.
The tsar was overthrown and replaced by temporary governement.
Government found it hard to organise war effort and offensive in June was a disaster.
Germany began to inflict defeats on Russia
85
In november what happened in Russia?
* A second revolution led by Bolsheviks which was a russian communist party.
* this immediately ended war.
* Russia forced to sign harsh treaty of Brest-litovsk which gave Germany control of huge area of land which supply important raw material to their army.
* Germans could now transfer hundred of thousands fo troops to western front.
86
With Russia surrendering, why did this give Germany opportunity?
To divert troops for final huge attack on western front.
Knew had to win quick victory as 50,000 US troops were arriving in Europe every month. American tanks and artillery were also being shipped to Frace in huge numbers
87
why was the blockade still successful in 1918?
Germany Army lacked equipment
Food was running out for civillians and soldiers
88
What was British Royal Flying corps?
Used airplanes against German submarines.
Military attack developed with a new focus for attack, this was supported by better tanks and improved artillery
89
In 1918 what was the German plan called?
The ludendorff offensive or spring offensive
they had developed highly trained storm troopers who specialised in making rapid penetrating attacks against enemy lines.
the plan named after German general ludendorff and it was launched in March 1918
90
What did the Ludendorff offensive do?
* Germans launched huge artillery bombardment which was more concentrated and shorter than previous attacks.
* Small groups of storm troopers then attacked along entire line, this prevented allies building up their defences in any one place.
* German army broke through allied lines and made progress, advancing 64km.
* German artillery was now in range of Paris.
* 400,000 German soldiers killed and supplies couldn't keep up with advance.
* German soldiers stopped to loot food and discipline was poor.
* By May advance stopped.
91
By august describe Germany
made no progress, clear attack was over.
Allies strengthened by US troops and supplies. Armies well fed, trained and equiped.
92
When was counter attack launched in 1918?
8th august used the latest tactics to break German lines.
Planned by French commander Foch and British commander Haig.
93
During the counter attack in 1918 what tactic was used?
* Artillery used in creeping barrage, slowly moved forward to provide smoke screen for infantry advance. At same time tanks punched holes in German lines and aircraft launched attacks behind the lines.
* -This was known as German Armys black day by october German Army in full retreat.
94
As well as collapse on German military in 1918 what problems were there on home front?
-half a million German civillians died of starvation related disease in 1917 and 1918.
Supplies of basic food stuff had run out by early 1918.
In Berlin there were riots and protests in response to food shortages.
At german naval base of Kiel there was a mutiny.
95
Why did kaiser abdicate Germany?
As riots spread through German cities and military situation collapsed, there was increased pressure for kasier to abdicate.
While Kaiser was in power he involved in negotiations for German surrender
politicians felt they would be better to lead negotiations.
Largest social democrat party Social Democrats threatned to resign from governement.
As a result kaiser abdicated and Germany became a republic
96
What was the armistice?
Different views about terms of any armistice.
US president woodrow wilson drew list of 14 points which he thought was a fair settlement which would avoid future war.
Germany hoped to sign this agreement.
But the demands were much harsher.
97
What were demands of armistice from America to Germany?
1= Germany pay reparations for damage caused by war
2= Germany has 2 weeks to leave all occupied territory
3= Huge amount of equipment and weaponry handed over
4= All allied prisoners released
5= most of German navy to be handed over
98
When was armistice agreed?
11th november
War was over
In january 1919 full peace negotiations started, these eventually produced the treaty of versailles.
