Conflict & Tension Part 1 Flashcards
The Triple Alliance
1882: Italy, Austria-Hungary and Germany.
Germany: by 1914 industry had taken over Britain. But they feared encirclement from France and Russia.
Germany wanted protection as they’d recently taken Alsace-Lorraine from France and wanted allies in case of an attack.
The Triple Entente
1894: Franco-Russian duel alliance: both felt isolated by Europe. Agreed to support each other if Germany/A-H attacked.
1904: the Entente cordiale (France and Britain): rivalry between Britain and Germany. B promised not to oppose F’s plans in Morocco.
1907: the Anglo-Russian entente. Agreed to defend each other. The Triple Entente caused Europe tension
The Moroccan Crisis
1905-1906
The Kaiser went to Africa, made a speech saying they should rule themselves instead of France having the power. This was to test the alliance between Britain and France.
France found out and were furious. International conference held in Algeciras in 1906. France refused to back down and Britain defended them.
Consequences of the Moroccan crisis 1905-1906
- The conference didn’t keep peace, it made things worse.
- The Kaiser was humiliated, with only Austria Hungary’s support.
- The Kaiser now understood how close Britain and France were, he was bitter.
- France now felt in debt to Britain.
- France was able to expand in Morocco
- The Anglo-German rivalry increased.
The second Moroccan (Agadir) crisis, 1911
French occupied Fez, Morocco. Kaiser sent a gunboat, the Panther, to the port of Agadir to force the French to give them the French Congo in Africa. Britain supported France again, both countries thought Wilhelm was trying to set up a german naval base there. Lloyd George, British chancellor of the exchequer (and well known pacifist) made a speech warning Germany that they’d back the French even if it lead to war. Kaiser backed down.
Consequences of the second Moroccan (Agadir) crisis, 1911
- It greatly increased tension in Europe.
- It strengthened the Anglo-French Entente.
- The Kaiser has suffered another humiliation and was unlikely to back down another time.
- The Kaiser blamed his humiliation on the British, more Anglo-German rivalry.
The Bosnian Crisis, 1908
Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Serbia was furious, had hoped to make Bosnia part of a greater Serbian state. They asked Russia to help. Russia called for a conference, A-H refused and was backed by Germany. Russia had to accept, didn’t have an army force to fight Germany’s.
Consequences of the Bosnian Crisis, 1908
- Tension increases between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.
- Russia humiliated, draws closer to Britain and France.
- Germany was now fully committed to supporting Austro-Hungarian policy in the Balkans even if it led to war.
The Kaiser’s foreign policy and how it threatened Britain.
- To expand the german empire and find a place in the sun: if Germany had more countries it was a threat.
- To expand his navy, he believed Germany needed one as a growing world power: Britain had the largest navy, threatened that.
- To challenge the Entente cordiale: direct threat as Britain were part of it.
European Rearmament
- From 1900-1914, France’s army went from 0.7m to 0.9m.
- Britain’s went from 0.6 to 0.5, but they had the elite BEF, 150,000 highly trained professionals.
- Germany’s went from 0.5 to 1.5. Biggest army in Europe!
The naval race
Britain launched a new battleship, the Dreadnaught, in 1906.
By 1914, they had 29, Germany grasped the idea and by then had 17.
Britain introduced the ‘3 power standard’, meaning their navy had to be larger than the next 3 babies combined. They clearly felt threatened by Germany.
Germany insisted they needed a navy for trade.
The Black Hand
Terrorist organisation from Serbia. Wanted Bosnia to be free from the rule of Austria-Hungary. They wanted all Serbs to be in a ‘Kingdom of Serbia’.
28 June 1914: assassinated the heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife when they visited Bosnia. Triggered outbreak of war.
Steps to war
June 20 1914: archduke assassinated. Ultimatum from A-H sent to Serbia, who only respond to 9 of the 10 points.
July 28: A-H declares war on Serbia.
July 30: Russia moves its armed forces to defend Serbia against A-H. Ignore Germany’s warning not to mobilise.
Aug 1: Germany declares war on Russia. Warns France to stay neutral.
Aug 2: France mobilises army.
Aug 3: Germany declare war on France
Aug 4: Germany invades Belgium, later that day Britain declares war on them.
Shlieffen Plan
Involved breaking the London treaty that respected neutrality. Britain took a stand as their neutrality is important for trade. They sent Germany an ultimatum which was ignored so war was declared. Germany planned to go through Belgium to defeat France within 6 weeks. They wanted to avoid fighting on two fronts.
Problems with the Schlieffen plan
Germans slowed down by Belgium army, didn’t reach Paris in 6 weeks.
Russians moved quicker than expected, Germans had to move their troops East.
French held out at the battle of the Marne.
They didn’t think Britain would react to them invading Belgium.
