Origins Of The First World War Flashcards
Why did Britain choose splendid isolation?
- Saved Money
- Avoided sending soldiers to fight for allies
- Britain were safe on an island with the biggest navy in the world
What were the aims of Kaiser Wilhelm?
Glory, Army, Navy & Empire
- Place in the sun
- Weltpolitik (world politics)
- Wanted to have a great empire ‘like that of Britain’s)
Why end splendid isolation?
- Germany were building up a new navy
- Kaiser Wilhelm’s desire for a place in the sun
- Germany was becoming jealous of Britain’s empire and wanted their own
When did Germany become a united country?
1871
In what year did Austria-Hungary and Germany form an alliance?
1879
What was the TRIPLE ALLIANCE?
When was it formed?
Unification between: Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary.
In 1882 when Italy believed it would benefit from being with Germany and Austria-Hungary
When did France form an alliance with Russia?
1894
What was the Entente Cordiale?
When was it formed?
The unification between France and Britain.
1904
When was the Triple Entente formed?
Who was in the Triple Entente?
1907 Britain & Russia reached a similar agreement.
Britain, France and Russia
What was the impact of the Alliance System?
- treaties were signed in secret, know one knowing if people were being offensive or defensive
- local disputes turned in to wider hostilities
Describe the military arms race…
- 1913 French raised their period of conscription from 2 to 3 years.
- By 1913 German army was very powerful. Only Russia had more soldiers.
Describe the naval arms race…
- 1898, Kaiser Wilhelm ordered for Germany to build up its navy rapidly so that it were able to rival that of Britain’s.
- 1906, both sides started to build Dreadnoughts, a new kind of battleship new type of ship that could easily defeat older types
- Naval race made the British people resent the Germans and to turn towards their alliance France much more.
What were the events and outcomes of the First Moroccan Crisis?
- France and Britain agreed that Morocco fell into the French ‘sphere of influence’ -This greatly angered Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, whom, as a leader wanted Morocco as part of his new German empire.
- Wilhelm visited Morocco and promised to support the country’s attempt to remain independent.
- Conference was held in Algeciras, Spain and Morocco goes to France.
Strengthens France and Britain’s relationship as well as with Russia. Leads to the formation of triple entente. Germany felt as though they were being surrounded by enemies, and that the ret if Europe was ganging up on Germany.
What were the events and outcomes of the second Moroccan Crisis?
EVENTS:
The French promised to help the sultan of Morocco to put down a rebellion against his rule. Giving the, a chance to take over Morocco.
France said they’d compensate countries like Germany and Spain.
Germany sent their gunboat the Panther to the port of Agadir. Hoping to force french into giving them some land.
OUTCOMES:
Britain feared Germany was trying to take naval supremacy by establishing a naval base at Agadir.
France took over Morocco.
Clear victory for francs and the entente.
Who were the black hand gang?
They were a Serbian terrorist group who were opposed to the idea of being controlled by the Austrian-Hungarian ‘empire’.
