History - WWI 🔫 Flashcards
When did WWI start?
1914
When did WWI end?
1918
What were the two main military alliances involved in 1914?
Triple Alliance and Triple Entente
What 3 countries were a part of the Triple Entente?
France, United Kingdom and Russia
What 3 countries were a part of the Triple Alliance?
German, Italy and Austria-Hungary
What is an alliance?
An alliance is an understanding, usually between two countries, to help each other in a time of need
What are the four main causes of WWI?
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism
What happened in 1871 to disturb the political balance of power in Europe?
In 1871, unified Germany disturbed the “old balance of power”
What was Germany’s goal after becoming independent?
They wanted to become a great power like Britain.
Why was Germany worried that France would attack them in 1870?
They had won a war to get Alsace-Lorraine, and were worried that France would try to win it back.
In 1870, which country was struggling to keep their empire?
Austria-Hungary.
What did France do to protect themselves from Germany after losing the Alsace-Lorraine?`
In 1871, as a result of losing the Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, France feared more attacks and so it started building its forces.
When was the Dual Alliance formed? Between which countries was it formed?
In 1879, the Dual alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was formed.
What did the Dual Alliance mean for Germany and Austria-Hungary?
This gave each other support if one was invaded by Russia, and Guaranteed Neutrality if invaded by another major European power.
When and why was the Triple Alliance formed?
Italy thought it would benefit from a secret alliance with Germany and the Austria-Hungarian empire. The triple alliance was formed (1882)
What was the Reinsurance treaty?
A treaty between Russia and Germany in 1887. It was secret, and would guarantee they stay neutral if attacked. However, it expired in 1890.
What was the alliance formed because France was isolated and Russia was vulnerable?
The Franco Russian alliance.
Why did France and Russia form an alliance? When was this?
In 1894, the fear of Germany encouraged Russia and France to form alliance.
What were the terms of the Franco-Russian Alliance?
It was to remain in place as long as the Triple Alliance existed. If one of the Triple alliance members attacked France or Russia, the ally would attack the aggressor in question.
What did the alliance between France and Russia cause?
The alliance between Russia and France pushed Germany closer into alliance with their neighbor Austria-Hungary.
What was the Entente Cordiale?
The alliance between Britain and France., even though they were enemies for a very long time. It was in 1904.
What was the alliance between Britain, France, and Russia?
The Triple Entente. There wasn’t actually a 3 way alliance.
How did Rival power blocs maintain armies?
Members of rival power blocs maintained mass armies through compulsory military service (Basically making it required to be in the military)
Why did power blocs have to spend a lot of money on their armies?
Rapid developments in military technology forced them to spend huge sums on these armies
What was the geographical advantage that the Triple Entente had?
They surrounded the Triple Alliance.
What is militarism?
The belief that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
Is militarism usually promoted as something for defense, or offence?
Usually, governments promote militarism as for defense, though it is often used for offence.
Before the war in 1914, who had more soldiers? The Triple alliance or Triple Entente? How many?
The Triple Alliance had 6,000,000 soldiers
The Triple Entente had 5,900,000 soldiers
The Triple Alliance had the upper hand by 100,000 soldiers.
How did countries get their people to join their armies?
They used propaganda such as posters to try and get people to join the war. It often used manipulative techniques and kept quiet the risks of joining the army.
What was some evidence that most soldiers who joined the British army were dying?
The height requirements kept reducing! In August 1914, a volunteer for the British army had to be 5 feet 8 inches to enlist. By October, the requirement was lowered to 5 feet 5 inches. That month there were thirty thousand casualties, and then one could be 5 feet 3.
How did governments stop the public from knowing the amount of people dying in the war?
More propaganda was used. Civilians were told things such as “Be cheerful… Write encouragingly to friends at the front… Don’t repeat foolish gossip. Don’t listen to idle rumors.” Basically, they were told that everything is good.
The Triple Alliance may have had more soldiers in their military, but which side had spent more money on it?
The Triple Alliance Spent £133,000,000.
The Triple Entente Spent £158,000,000
The Triple Entente Spent £25M more.
What were some new weapons used in WW1?
- Popularized use of machine gun
- First use of tanks (1915-16)
- Guns mounted on ships
- Use of aircraft carriers (first use 1912)
- Stealth and speed of submarines
- Airplanes and psychological advantages
- Use of poisonous gases (chemical warfare)
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism is believing that your country is always right, no matter what. It is a feeling that people and the government are united, and a strong sense of belonging to one’s country.
What are the two kinds of Nationalism?
- For Independence
- For Power
Was Austria-Hungary imperialistic?
yes.
Who were Slavs?
A number of ethnic groups of people in eastern and south-eastern Europe. They and their languages (Russian, Polish, Czech, Serbian) are related and many (though not all) of them belong historically to the Orthodox Christian churches.
What was France’s main goal before WW1?
Wanted Alsace Lorraine back from Germany who was lost in 1871 Franco-Prussian war.
What was Austria-Hungary scared of before WW1?
Very worried over Serbia’s gains in Balkans and did not want to lose power in the region.
What did Serbia want to do before WW1?
Wanted to expand and contain all Slavs but many Slavs lived within Austria-Hungary; Austria-Hungary had taken over Bosnia which angered Serbia because Bosnians were Slavs; so Serbia causing trouble for Austria-Hungary.
What was happening to the Ottoman empire before WW1?
Weakening and losing their hold over the Balkans.
Shortly before WW1, what happened to the conflicts between Serbia and the Ottoman empire.
1912-1913: two Balkan Wars mainly between Ottoman Empire and Serbia; Serbia wins and doubles in size
What did Russia want before WW1?
Wanted a naval port in the Mediterranean
In 1871, what was the strongest economic and military power in Europe?
After unification in 1871 Germany became strongest economic and military power in Europe.
After Germany unified, how did they originally try to preserve their power?
From 1871 to 1890, wanted to preserve power in Europe by forming a series of peaceful alliances with other powers.
What changed about Germany’s strategy after 1890?
After 1890, became more aggressive.
Came into serious conflicts with all other major powers of Europe (except Austria-Hungary) from 1890 to 1914.
What was the Dual Monarchy?
The Dual Monarchy was a Monarchy system in Austria-Hungary established in 1867.
In the Dual Monarchy, who was allowed to rule?
The Dual Monarchy ruled over a large empire consisting of many nationalities, but only the Austrians (racially they were German) and the Hungarians had the right to rule.
What was the issue of rights in the Dual Monarchy before WW1?
The other nationalities Czechs, Slovaks, Serbs, Croats, Rumanians and Poles resented their loss of political freedom.
They desired for political independence. This shows not much Nationalism as many people did not agree with their country.
What was the Largest and most populous country in Europe, before WW1?
Russia.
What fraction of people in Russia were Slavs before WW1?
Two thirds of people were Slavs.
What was Russia’s Territorial ambitions before WW1?
They wanted to expand in all directions.
In 1870, what area were aggressions with Russia renewed?
The Balkans.
What in Russia clashed with the interests of Austria-Hungary and Britain?
Their territorial ambitions to expand in all directions.
Who were France defeated by in 1871?
In 1871, France was defeated by Germany: lost Alsace and Lorraine and had to pay a lot of money.
What was France’s Greatest ambition after being defeated by Germany?
From 1871 on, France’s greatest ambition was to recover Alsace Lorraine.
What was France’s secondary ambition after being defeated by Germany?
They also wanted to prevent another defeat by Germany, to recover national prestige by acquiring overseas colonies (e.g. Morocco) and make diplomatic alliances with other important powers in Europe.
What was the most industrialized country before WW1?
In 1870, Britain was the most industrially advanced country in Europe and had the largest overseas empire and the largest navy in the world.
Before 1890, who were Britain’s main enemies?
Before 1890, chief enemies were France and Russia.
Why was Britain enemies with France before 1890?
The colonial interests of France often clashed with those of Britain . (Britain and France had colonial rivalries in Asia and Africa–India, Burma, Thailand, Egypt)
Why was Britain enemies with Russia before 1890?
Russia’s interest in the Balkan area also alarmed Britain, as British naval interests in the Mediterranean Sea would be threatened.
Who became Britain’s chief single enemy after 1890? Why?
After 1890, as Germany went on increasing her naval strength and threatened British naval supremacy and the British overseas interests, became chief enemy.
What is Imperialism?
A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means. It’s when countries try to take over other countries in order to expand for different reasons.
When and why were Britain imperialist?
Britain were imperialists in the 19thand early 20th century (especially after the industrial revolution as they needed materials and newmarkets)
What was old imperialism?
Between the 1500s and the early 1800s, to find trade routes, establish colonies, and set up trade posts as a source of wealth.
