Grade 9 Flashcards
Define Militarism
The desire of a state to develop and maintain a powerful military in order to aggressively advance their own interests.
Define Alliances
An agreement between two states for mutual self-defense
Define Imperialism
An arrangement in which one country brings another country under its political (or economic) dominion
Define Nationalism
A strong identification with one’s own nation and people, often to the exclusion of other people.
Describe the events of the Bosnian Crisis
Bosnian crisis of 1908 was a state of severe international tension caused by the annexation by Austria-Hungary of the Balkan provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Congress of Berlin (1878) had given Austria-Hungary the right to occupy and administer Bosnia and Herzegovina temporarily, but the provinces officially remained possessions of the Ottoman Empire.
When in July 1908 the Young Turks staged a revolution in Constantinople (now Istanbul), established a constitutional government, and inaugurated a reform program, the Austrian foreign minister resolved to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina before the new Turkish regime could regain control over them.
To that end the Austrian foreign minister met the Russian foreign minister and, on Sept. 16, 1908, Izvolsky agreed that Russia would not object to the annexation. Aehrenthal pledged that in return Austria would not object to opening the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits to Russian warships, an advantage that had been denied to Russia since 1841.
However, since Russia helped Austria-Hungary and did not tell their allies about it previously, Russia was in a sticky situation. Britain and France were upset at Russia since Russia supported Austria-Hungary and didn’t inform them about it. Serbia was upset at Russia since Russia sided with Austria-Hungary who were seen as the “enemy”. AND Russia felt tricked since Russia did not get their end of the bargain which was access to the Dardanelle straits to make trade, etc easier.
Therefore, Russia realised they didn’t get anything in return for helping Austria-Hungary and all it did was increase tensions.
Summarise the events of the July Crisis
- Austria Hungary blames Serbia for Franz Ferdinand’s assassination despite Gavrilo Princip testifying that they had acted independently
- On July 5th, Kaiser Wilhelm II issued his famous ‘blank cheque’ to Vienna. Austria-Hungary could proceed as it wished and Germany would back them if Russia intervened.
- On July 23rd, four weeks after the assassination, the Serbian government received an ultimatum from Austria-Hungary. It contained a set of 10 firmly worded demands and an obligation for the Serbs to agree to its conditions within 48 hours.
- Serbia responded to the Austrian ultimatum just before the expiration of the deadline. It submitted to most of the demands but rejected the Austrian-led inquiry demanded in point six, arguing that it was a breach of their sovereignty. They reiterated that their government had given no support to the assassins.
- Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph declared war on Serbia on July 28th, exactly one month after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.
Effects of WW1:
- Influenza spread
- European nations in massive debt
- Downfall of four monarchies: Germany, Turkey, Austria-Hungary and Russia
Background of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Russia alongside its allies France and Britain, defeats on the battlefield fed the growing discontent among the bulk of Russia’s population, especially the poverty-stricken workers and peasants, and its hostility toward the imperial regime, led by the ineffectual Tzar Nicholas II.
This discontent strengthened the cause of the Bolsheviks, a radical socialist group led by Vladimir Lenin.
The February Revolution broke out in early March 1917, Nicholas abdicated later that month. After Lenin’s return from exile (aided by the Germans) in mid-April, he and his fellow Bolsheviks worked quickly to seize power from the provisional government, led by Alexander Kerensky, Russia’s minister of war.
In early November, aided by the Russian military, they were successful.
One of Lenin’s first actions as leader was to call a halt to Russian participation in the war.
What did the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk call for ?
Russia gave up close to half its European territory
They had to recognize the independence of Ukraine, Georgia, and Finland
Give up Poland and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to Germany and Austria-Hungary; and ceded Kars, Ardahan, and Batum to Turkey.
The total losses constituted some 1 million square miles of Russia’s former territory, displacing a third of its population of around 55 million people. Russia lost huge areas of prime agricultural land, 80% of her coal and iron ore mines
All Bolshevik propaganda in the ceded areas was to cease (a provision which the Bolshevik regime soon found ways around)
A follow-up agreement in August committed the country to pay six billion gold marks in reparations.
What was the Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria Hungary, Italy
What was the Triple Entente
France, Britain, Russia
Why were there already tensions within countries?
Austria Hungary –> Russia bc of regions in the Balkans
France –> Germany bc they took Alsace Lorraine
Britain —> Germany bc threatening their naval dominance
Italy –> France bc they colonised Tunisia
Explain the Schlieffen Plan
Germany was geographically surrounded by France and Russia
To get around France without having to deal with their border defense, they found it practical to invade Belgium (a neutral country) instead and get past them. However, this invasion led to Britain (also a neutral country) getting pissed and Britain declared war on Germany
Why would it be right to blame Germany for starting the war?
- The blank cheque to Austria Hungary
- The Schlieffen Plan which led to Britain’s involvement
- Declaring war on major power, Russia
- Germany sinking the Lusitania and sending the Zimmerman Telegram leading to USAs arrival into the war
Reasons you could blame other countries for the war:
- Russia started mobilizing before the Serbs even responded to the ultimatum
2.
What did Bismarck do ?
He bound Germany and Austria in the Dual Alliance of 1879 and added Italy making it the Triple Alliance in 1882.
He also allied Germany with Russia in the Reinsurance Treaty.
Define propoganda
Any form of media that seeks to influence people’s opinions based on exaggerations and misinformations
Describe the events and consequences of the Moroccon crises
In 1905 the Kaiser visited Morocco in North Africa.
The French had plans to take control of Morocco so the Kaiser made a speech saying he supported independence for Morocco.
The French were furious at his interfering in their affairs. An international conference was held in Algeciras in 1906.
At the conference, the Kaiser was humiliated.
He was also alarmed by the way that Britain and France stuck together at the conference to oppose him.
In 1907, in the wake of the Moroccan crisis, Britain and France formed an alliance with Russia, the Triple Entente. The Entente powers saw their alliance as security against German aggression. The Kaiser and his people saw a threatening policy of encirclement, with hostile powers surrounding Germany.
In 1911 Morocco saw another crisis.
The French tried to take over Morocco again.
The Kaiser’s response was to send a gunboat (the Pather) to Agadir.
The British feared that the Kaiser wanted to set up a naval base in Agadir; and they did not want German ships in the Mediterranean.
Another conference was called.
The British and French again stood firm against Germany. France took control of Morocco. Germany was given land in central Africa as compensation.
Describe the Balkan Wars
The first Balkan crisis came in 1908.
Austria took over the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Russia and Serbia protested, but they backed down when Germany made it clear that it supported Austria.
Neither Russia nor Serbia was prepared to risk war with Germany over this issue.
Russia resented being faced down in 1909. It quickened its arms build-up. It was determined not to back down again.
From 1912 to 1913 there was a series of local wars. Serbia emerged from these as the most powerful country in the Balkans.
By 1914 Austria was looking for a good excuse to crush Serbia.
Austria’s opportunity came with the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo.
Was the TOV justified?
The case for treating Germany harshly was strengthened when it became public how harshly Germany had treated Russia in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918. The Treaty stripped Russia of huge amounts of land and 25 per cent of its population.
Events that led to the war
- Balkan war
- Bosnian Crisis
- Morrocan Crisis
