Part 1 Flashcards
What was the Treaty of Versailles?
The Treaty of Versailles was created at the Paris Peace Conference mostly by the Big Three, and is aimed specifically at Germany. It forced Germany to take the blame for causing WWI, limit its army, pay reparations and give up territory to create new countries Germany does not participate in making the treaty. It also created the League of Nations, an attempt at collective security whose main purpose was to prevent further wars.
Who was the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and why is he important?
He was in charge of Austria-Hungary. When he was visiting Bosnia, he was killed by a member of the Serbia group the Black Hand, which had been trying to get back at Austria-Hungary for taking Bosnia, which Serbia wanted. The death of the Archduke is considered the official start of the war. It begins the July Crisis.
Who was Woodrow Wilson? What did he write for the Paris Peace Conference and what was his attitude at the conference?
He was the president of the USA and wrote the Fourteen Points. He wanted a fair treaty that did not seek revenge against Germany. He proposed the League of Nations, an international organization to promote cooperation.
What was the Bosnian Crisis of 1908-1909?
Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia-Herzegovina, which made Serbia mad because Serbia wanted to take Bosnia-Herzegovina to create a Slavic Greater Serbia. Serbia asked for help from Russia to take Bosnia-Herzegovina from Austria-Hungary, but Russia’s army was not strong enough. From this grew resentment between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. Serbia created the Black Hand to try to provoke revolt in Bosnia-Herzegovina against Austria-Hungary.
What was the First Balkans War?
The Balkans League joined together to take advantage of Turkey to try to take over some land. They succeed in winning some land. However, Austria-Hungary created Albania to prevent Serbia from gaining access to the sea, but Serbia gains territory in Macedonia.
What was the Second Balkans War?
Bulgaria was upset about the outcome of the First Balkans War and thus goes against her former allies to try to get some more land. Bulgaria loses. This war proves that Serbia is capable of fighting for more territory and tightens up some alliances (between Serbia/Russia and Austria-Hungary/Germany).
What was the Zimmerman Telegram and why was it important?
This telegram was a note from Germany to Mexico trying to get Mexico to invade the US to keep the US from interfering in World War I. Instead, the US intercepted the telegram and used it to convince the American people to join World War I against Germany.
What is Weltpolitik?
German Kaiser Wilhelm II’s policy of trying take overseas colonies using Germany’s new navy.
What was the Schlieffen Plan?
The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s plan to invade France through neutral Belgium. It failed because Belgium fought back with the help of Great Britain, the Russians mobilized faster than expected, requiring troops to be diverted to the eastern front, France fought back and German supply routes were cut off.
What was the Ems Telegram and what war did it help cause?
This telegram was sent from Otto Van Bismarck (German) to the King of Spain in 1870 explaining a disagreement between Germany and France about who should marry into the Spanish royal family. It implied that the French and Germans had been insulting each other. It was a cause of the Franco-Prussian War.
What was the Franco Prussian War and why was it a cause of WWI?
It shifted the balance of power in Europe by helping Germany to unify and prove itself as a strong military power. It undermined the power of France. Germany won Alsace Lorraine (French territory) creating bitterness between the 2 countries. France was humiliated. Germany quickly became one of the strongest European powers and competitions amongst nations resulted. The foundation was being laid for WWI.
Define militarism and explain how it led to WWI.
It is the building up of military strength and the competition for superior armies. Britain was worried about Germany’s naval strength and the quest for the best military was ON. Additionally, many countries instituted the draft to increase the size of their armies. Countries started to make alliances with other nations to improve their own national security.
Define Imperialism and explain how it led to WWI.
Imperialism was the competition to control foreign nations. As Germany grew in strength, it was able to pose a threat to other imperialist nations, like Britain. As the competition got more heated, so too did the tension between European nations. German Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to develop a German overseas empire with his newly founded navy. He hoped that the German people would support colonialism and stop worrying about problems at home
What is nationalism and how did it lead to WWI?
Nationalism is pride in one’s country. Many countries began to feel like their country was the best country. The Balkans were a hotbed of nationalist movements – Ethnic groups here were fighting for independence.
What was the Black Hand?
A Serbian group that grew out of the Bosnian Crisis of 1908-1909. It wanted to to provoke revolt in Bosnia-Herzegovina against Austria-Hungary. It succeeded in 1914 when one of its members, Gavrilo Princip, killed the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife.
