SHHS-History - GCSE Year 11 Unit 1/ Topic 1: Origins of World War One

Question 1

Which two countries formed the Entente Cordiale and when was it formed?

Answer 1

Britain and France. It was established in 1904.

Question 2

What was meant by ‘Splendid Isolation’?

Answer 2

This was a deliberate foreign policy of the British government throughout much of the 19th century. Britain was happy to stay isolated from alliances with European powers, as long as no, one, individual country gained complete control. Britain felt that the size and strength of its empire meant that it did not need to rely on any other country.

Question 3

What was the ‘three-power standard’ and what does it show?

Answer 3

It was established by Britain in 1902. It meant that the British navy should be at least as big as the next three largest fleets, in the world, combined. It was felt that it would guarantee naval superiority for Britain. The use of the ‘three-power standard’ shows that the British a Government were becoming concerned about the size of the German naval fleet, and the British ability to control the ‘balance of power’.

Question 4

What is meant by the ‘Triple Entente’?

Answer 4

The agreements between France, Britain and Russia, which resulted in them becoming allies in the First World War. This was not a formal, military alliance, but the relationship between the countries (in particular Britain and France) did strengthen over time. The Triple Entente was completed when the Anglo-Russian Agreement (between Britain and Russia) was signed in 1907.

Question 5

When was the Triple Alliance signed?

Answer 5

1882

Question 6

Why was the Triple Alliance formed?

Answer 6

It was organised by Bismarck, the German Chancellor, after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. The French were humiliated by the defeat and the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. Bismarck felt the alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy would deter the French from seeking revenge.

Question 7

Which countries formed the Triple Alliance and which other name is used to refer to this alliance?

Answer 7

Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. They are sometimes referred to (generally Germany and Austria-Hungary) as the Central Powers.

Question 8

When and why did France and Russia form the Franco-Russian Alliance?

Answer 8

1893. Both powers agreed to join the other in war if either was attacked by Germany or Austria-Hungary. France, in particular, was looking to strengthen its position against Germany after its humiliating defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. This alliance divided Europe into 2 armed camps.

Question 9

What were the consequences of the Franco-Prussian War for France?

Answer 9

It was a humiliating defeat. They were forced to sign the Treaty of Frankfurt in 1871. In this treaty they had to hand the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, and pay 5 billion francs in reparations.

Question 10

Who was ruler of Germany in 1914?

Answer 10

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Question 11

Who was the ruler of Russia in 1914?

Answer 11

Tsar Nicholas II

Question 12

Who was ruler of Great Britain in 1914.

Answer 12

King George V

Question 13

Who did Britain sign an alliance with in 1902?

Answer 13

Japan. It was known as the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.

Question 14

What was ‘Weltpolitik’?

Answer 14

Kaiser Wilhelm’s foreign policy. It means ‘world policy’ and showed his desire to make Germany the greatest nation in the world, in other words achieve ‘a place in the sun’ for Germany. He was particularly jealous of the size of the British empire and navy.

Question 15

What did ‘Weltpolitik’ lead the Kaiser to do?

Answer 15

Build up the German navy and challenge France in Morocco.

Question 16

Why did the Kaiser visit Tangier, in Morocco, in 1905?

Answer 16

To make a show of supporting Moroccan independence, in order to challenge French attempts to increase their influence in Morocco. He rode through the the streets, in uniform, on a white horse, accompanied by a military band. He announced that Germany would support an independent Morocco and demanded an international conference to resolve issues over the future of Morocco.

Question 17

What happened at Algeciras in 1906?

Answer 17

An international conference was held to discuss the future of Morocco. Only Austria-Hungary and Morocco supported Germany’s calls for an independent Morocco open to trade from all nations. Britain and Russia supported France. France was given joint control of the Moroccan police with Spain. The Kaiser was humiliated.

Question 18

What were the main consequences of the 1st Moroccan Crisis?

Answer 18

The Kaiser was humiliated and felt more suspicious of the ‘entente’ between France, Britain and Russia (fuelling fears of encirclement). Britain was increasingly worried about the Kaiser’s foreign policy and began secret military talks with France,strengthening the Entente Cordiale. Britain and Russia signed the Anglo-Russian Agreement in 1907 completing the ‘Triple Entente’ and France felt more confident of British support against Germany.

Question 19

What were the terms of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1907?

Answer 19

Britain and Russia agreed to recognise each other’s interests in Persia and Tibet. This was not a military alliance, but it was seen this way by Germany and consequentially heightened German fears of encirclement.

Question 20

What happened in the Bosnian Crisis of 1908?

Answer 20

Austria-Hungary took advantage of a revolution in Turkey to annex the previously Turkish-controlled state of Bosnia. It did so without consulting its allies: Germany and Austria-Hungary. Serbia appealed to Russia for help in protesting about this. Russia demanded a conference to resolve the issue, but it backed down when Germany supported Austria.

Question 21

What were the consequences of the Bosnian Crisis of 1908-09?

Answer 21

a) Austria-Hungary now felt confident of German support.
b) Italy became less keen on involvement in the Triple Alliance.
c) Russia felt humiliated and determined not to be so again.
d) It brought the countries of the Triple Entente closer in opposition to Germany.
e) Serbia was outraged and determined to oppose A-H, and believed it would have Russian support in this.

Question 22

When was the 2nd Moroccan Crisis and why did it happen?

Answer 22

1911. Moroccan Sultan asked the French to help him put down a rebellion in Fez. Germany opposed further French influence in Morocco, and sent a gunboat, the Panther, to the port of Agadir, to protect German interests in Morocco. This was seen as a warlike act by Britain and France.

Question 23

Why were the British particularly worried by German actions in the 2nd Moroccan Crisis?

Answer 23

As a result of the Naval Race. They feared Germany was planning to build an Atlantic naval base to challenge British naval superiority, and the British base at Gibraltar.

Question 24

What were the consequences of the 2nd Moroccan Crisis?

Answer 24

Preparations/speeches about war were made in Britain, Germany and France. Germany backed down and accepted 2 marshy strips of land in Central Africa as compensation, but was further humiliated and resolved to stand firm in any future crisis. It was threatened by the way Britain had supported France, and it’s people were more willing to countenance war as a result. Britain was more convinced of the German desire to dominate Europe - this strengthened the Triple Entente and led to Britain and France making firm commitments to each other (Britain to defend the French Atlantic Coast and France, the Med). Italy opposed Germany and distanced itself from the Triple Alliance, making A-H Germany’s only firm ally. All this raised tension and made war more likely.

Question 25

What was first launched by Britain in 1906, and what did it result in?

Answer 25

The first ‘Dreadnought’ - an iron-clad battleship, much faster than any other, which long-range, 360 degree rotating guns. This sparked a naval race with Germany, as the Germans rushed to build their own Dreadnoughts. Naval strength, from this point, would be measured in the number of Dreadnoughts held by each country.

Question 26

How many Dreadnoughts did a) Britain and b) Germany have by 1914?

Answer 26

a) 29

b) 17

Question 27

Who was using the phrase ‘we want eight, and we won’t wait’ in 1909, and what did it refer to?

Answer 27

The British and it referred to the government’s plans to build 4 Dreadnoughts. The public wanted this number doubled.

Question 28

Which countries participated in the Arms Race between 1900 and 1914?

Answer 28

All of the countries in the alliances. Britain was the only power to see a drop in the number of men in its army (500,000 in 1900 fell to 400,000 in 1914) because the British chose to concentrate on its naval strength more than its land forces.

Question 29

Which European power had the largest army by 1914?

Answer 29

Russia - 1.5 million men

Question 30

Who assassinated Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on 28th June, 1914.

Answer 30

Gavrilo Princip. A Bosnian member of the Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand.

Question 31

Why was the Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated?

Answer 31

Because he was the heir to the Austrian throne, visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia and his assassin was a Bosnian terrorist who believed that Bosnia should be free from Austrian rule. The Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand, provided Princip and his fellow conspirators with weapons. Princip got his chance to shoot the Archduke and his wife, Sophie when their driver was told to stop after making a wrong turn in the road.

Question 32

What did Austria-Hungary do following the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?

Answer 32

A-H sent a 10 point ultimatum to Serbia, because it blamed the Serbian government for the assassination. The Serbs accepted all points except point 6 which would have given A-H authority over the courts in Serbia. Consequently, A-H declared war on Serbia (confident that Germany would back them up) on 28th July, 1914.

Question 33

When and why was the Black Hand formed?

Answer 33

In 1911, in Serbia as a result of opposition to Austria-Hungary, especially the annexation of Bosnia in 1908. The Black Hand were a secret society aimed at uniting all Serbs into a Greater Serbia (panslavism). By 1914 it had approx 2500 members, some of whom were leading officials in the Serbian army.

Question 34

Who was Conrad von Hotzendorf and what did he repeatedly argue for in 1913 and 1914?

Answer 34

Leader of the war party in Austria-Hungary. He argued for war with Serbia 25 times. He was a close friend of Franz Ferdinand and saw the assassination the perfect excuse for quashing Serbia.

Question 35

What did Russia begin to do on 30th July, 1914 and why?

Answer 35

Mobiles its army in support of Serbia, after the Austrians declared war on 28th July. It was resolved not to back down as it had had to do in 1908-09.

Question 36

Why did Germany invade Belgium on 3rd August, 1914?

Answer 36

As a direct result of the Schlieffen Plan, Germany’s plan to avoid having to fight a war on two fronts, which had been devised by Count von Schlieffen in 1905. Germany supported Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war on Serbia, by declaring war itself on Russia on 1st Aug, 1914 and its ally, France on 3rd Aug. The Schlieffen Plan relied upon a surprise attack on France via neutral Belgium, to wipe out the French in 6 weeks, then freeing up the German forces to double-back to face the larger, but slower Russian forces advancing from the East.

Question 37

Why did Britain declare war on Germany on 4th August, 1914?

Answer 37

Partly because the Germans invaded Belgium and Britain had signed the Treaty of London in 1839, guaranteeing its safety from invasion. However, Britain was also very concerned at the prospect of German domination of Northern Europe and had been expecting hostilities at some point. Also, Britain was acting to support its ally, France and hopefully help prevent France from a German invasion.