Part one: Causes of the First World War 1890-1914 Flashcards
Who was Bismarck?
The German chancellor who untied German states and defeated France in war of 1871. Gained Alsace and Lorraine from france.
What is another word for chancellor?
Leader of the government
How did Bismarck put Germany in a strong position?
He made alliances with Austria Hungary in 1879 and Italy in 1882. Avoided encirclement by signing treaties with Russia (Bismarckian nightmare)
What were Bismarcks aims for Germany?
to isolate France as it was powerful and allied with large european powers that could encircle Germany.
build up German economy and power
avoid war
dont anger Britiain
What did Bismarck do in 1887 and what does it improve?
Bismarck signs Reinsurance treaty with Russia to improve relations over disagreement on the Balkans.
What was Germany’s main concern that led to forming alliance?
Germany feared encirclement and the growing military threat of Russia
What was Austria Hungary’s main concern that led to forming alliance?
Attack from Russia due to conflict with Serbia, support in case other powers attacked
What was Italy’s main concern that led to forming alliance?
defensive alliance against attacking powers and rivalries with France in North Africa
What was Britain’s main concern that led to forming alliance?
Germany’s growing strength and pursuit of ‘world power’, German naval buildup
What was Russia’s main concern that led to forming alliance?
Fear of Germany’s aggression and growing strength
When does Kaiser wilhelm II become Emperor?
1888
When and why does Bismarck resign?
1890
Him and the Kiaser disagreed on how Germany should be run and orior to this Bismarck had fought the parties of the german masses so he had no support.
What is the problem with the Kaiser being in control of Germanys foreign policy in 1890?
He wants to build up Germanys navy and empire to be greater than Britains and does not care for the threat of war
What does the Kaiser refuse to do in 1890? problems?
renew the Reinsurance treaty with Russia that prevented the Bismarckian nightmare of germanys encirclement.
France would no longer be isolated and Russia could attack with the support of Britian and France.
What does it mean by “Splendid isolation”?
Britain avoided alliances prior to 1902 to avoid being entangled in european problems. concentrated on empire and trade.
What are the Balkans?
a group of small nations in southern europe. controlled by turkey for centuries. austria wanted to dominate them.
Why is there rivalry between Russia and Austria Hungary?
Austria annexed Bosnia in 1908. Russia wants to protect Serbia from AH as they are slavs. wants to remove AH strongest ally Germany.
Why were relations between Austria-Hungary and Serbia so bad?
Serbia held a strong sense of nationalism and expansion in light of its victory in the Balkan Wars and looked to challenge Austria-Hungary next. The Austrians too had annexed Bosnia which contained many Serbs and contributed to heightened tensions.
AH angry at Serbia for using terrorism to help force Bosnian independence.
What are Italys problems prior to 1914?
1861 relatively new country
weak country that is not trusted by her allies because she formerly declared war on AH so there was enemity
wants bigger empire and higher status
What are Bosnias problems prior to 1914?
wants to leave AH empire using terrorism. Looks to Serbia and Russia for help
what was formed in 1894 because of Germanys growing power?
secret alliance between France and Russia. France lent money to Russia to build up its industry. France wanted Alsace Lorraine back. Russia wanted to defend Serbs.
how was the triple alliance formed?
secret alliance of 1882 that offered defence against other countries
How was the Triple Entente formed?
- Franco-Russian alliance in 1894
- Entente Cordiale in 1904 (Britian and France)
- Triple Entente in 1907
why was the Entente Cordiale formed in 1904?
To settle imperialist rivalries between Britain and France in North Africa. Britain could purse their interests in Egypt whilst France could have westward of Algeria into Morocco.
what happened to Russia in 1905?
it was defeated in a war with Japan
what were the concerns of France prior to 1914?
- to protect itself against a rapidly growing Germany
- to regain Alsace and Lorraine after defeat from Germany in 1870
What were Russia’s problems prior to ww1?
it was the largest of the six powers but the most backward.
it was almost all agricultural with the exception of the few industries it had with the help (loans) from France
what happened in Russia after the 1905 Japan defeat?
there was a revolution against the ruler tsar Nicholas ii. he survived but Russia began to build its army after just in case because they could not afford to lose in any other conflict
How did Russia contribute to rearmament before 1914?
Russia introduced conscription and exponentially built up the size of its army throughout the 1900s, it was the fastest-growing army in Europe.
what caused the first Moroccan crisis in 1905?
Germany wanted to have its own “place in the sun” and showcase that it had importance in North Africa