Global Conflicts Flashcards
What was weltkrieg?
The idea that Franz Josef feared that a preventative war with Serbia would lead to a larger conflict with Russia. The statement of weltkrieg probably spoke more to its importance than its geographical location
What does the Great War hold connotations of?
It suggests that it was a civil war between civilised nations, if this was the case it would have only become a World War in 1917 when the US joined.
In what ways can Europe be considered to have been the centre of the world in 1914?
It was financially and commercially important. They also had large global empires
What was the gold standard?
In 1914, 59 countries were on the gold standard. It stabilised the economy and the exchange rates- it based the value of money against a set percentage of gold
Why did Britain’s involvement affect so many countries?
Enemies were cut off because of the naval blockade. Britain was at the centre of the world’s money and insurance markets. Even neutral countries found their wealth and trade was increasingly compromised because of the power of the sterling-dollar relationship.
Why did Britain and France not have any interest in making it into a global conflict?
Resources would be less concentrated.
Why did Turkey enter into the Great War?
Elements within its government thought it was best to do so. This shows that after war broke out a series of regional conflicts attached themselves to it therefore widening it
How did the war impact the landscape?
Soldiers felt that when on leave their landscapes represented home. Also the land was decimated by digging for resources, and turned into wastelands. Although these quickly regenerated. The land in colonies were exploited, especially in Africa. Also, there was an enormous spread of disease e.g. sleeping sickness. Reduction of biodiversity to make room for crops
What sort of resources were required during the war?
Tin- South East Asia Babbitt Metal for axels and crankshafts Sn markets rose 43% from 1911 to 1916 Chile provided coal and nitrate. Brazil exported rubber and coffee (deemed non-essential to war)
Why do Robert Gerwarth and Erez Manela argue that the First Word War was a global conflict?
Over 100 countries were involved. This is probably because the ownership of colonies ensured it would be a global conflict. However, these countries did have different levels of involvement.
Why were colonies so important?
They were very important economically and commercially. Canada provided 25% of 6” shells, Australia provided 97% of meat production, Indian sepoys totalled 1.5million (only troops from the colonies that were allowed to fight in Europe)
How did Britain and France divide their colonies?
They divided their colonial subjects into war-like and non war-like e.g. they believed that Indians and Nepalese were inherently violent
How was racial hierarchy prevalent in the case of the first world war?
The Indian Sepoys were constantly monitored and were treated at separate medical stations etc.
How did the U.S.A help the allied forces?
Financial resources provided from the Americas helped the Allies continue. This economic vitality was almost as important as military strength
How might historians expand their analysis of the first world war?
Both geographically to look at the impact of the peripheries. They should also broaden their outlook temporally - the war did not begin in 1914 and end in 1918. For other countries the conflict ended in the 1920s. Also the war might be considered to be a development from smaller European conflicts, from as early as 1911.
