GCSE History: Flashcards
Under which monarch did Britain become hugely influential and form family connections with most European royal families?
Queen Victoria.
(1837-1901)
By the reign of George V who held the real power in Britain?
The elected Parliment and the government.
How many people and territories did the British Empire rule over by 1914?
400 million people in 56 territories.
Despite Britain’s wealth what social issue persisted in the early 20th century?
Most of the population lived in poverty while wealth was concentrated in a small group.
What were the signs of Britain’s declining global status before World War 1?
Other nations like the USA and Germany developed industires and grew more powerful.
What type of government did France have before World War 1?
A republic governed by an elected president.
How large was the French Empire and where was it mainly located?
The French Empire ruled around 60 million people mainly in West and North Africa.
What major event in 1870 negatively impacted France national pride?
Germany defeated France and took some of its land.
What were two key issues France faced befoer World War 1?
France falling behind Britain and Germany in trade.
Population was lower than it neighbours.
When and how was Germany created as a unified country?
In 1871 when several former states joined together.
Who ruled Germany with absolute power before World War 1?
Kaiser William II.
How did the size of the German Empire compare to other European powers’ empires?
Much smaller with territories in Africa and the Far East.
What was Kaiser William II’s main ambition for Germany?
Build and expand Germany’s empire.
What social issue persisted in Germany despite industrial growth?
Many workers remained very poor and some formed opposition groups.
Who ruled Russia in the early 1900s and what did most Russians believe about his rule?
Tsar Nicholas II ruled Russia.
Most Russians believed he had been chosen to rule by God.
What challenges was Tsar Nicholas II facing in the early 1900s?
Tsar was facing increased opposition as his autocratic system was becoming less popular.
How large was Russia’s population in the early 1900s?
Nearly over 160 million.
What was notable of Russia’s ethnic diversity?
Over 200 ethnic groups.
Did Russia have overseas colonies?
No
How had Russia expanded it’s territory?
Taken control of the neighboring territory during the 19th century.
What percentage of the Russian population lived in the countryside?
Around 85%
What were the conditions like when the Russian population lived in the countryside?
Harsh. Poor harvests could lead to thousands of death. Due to starvation.
What was the role of the elected parliament formed after the 1905 riots in Russia?
Tsar Nicholas II often rejected many of the laws it passed.
Who held ultimate power in Austria-Hungary despite the existence of parliaments in both countries?
Emperor Franz-Josef.
Austria Hungary had their own parliments.
When was the union between Austria and Hungary formed?
1867.
What made the Austria-Hungary Empire ethnically diverse?
Many nationallities, cultures and languages.
For Austria-Hungary what are some lands calling for?
Independance.
What tensions existed within the Austria Hungary Empire?
Tensions between many of the ethnic groups within the empire.
Why was the Austria-Hungary Empire seen as being in decline?
Unpopular government and an aging emperor.
What was the purpose of the Alliance System in Europe before WWI?
Increase influence and seccurity by forming alliances.
