Significant Figures

Question 1

Who is Kaiser Wilhelm 2?

Answer 1

German Emperor

Militaristic – focused on building German army and navy.
Supported Austria-Hungary.
Declared war on France and Russia.

Question 2

Who is Count Berchtold?

Answer 2

Austro-Hungarian foreign minister 1912-1915

Tried to strengthen the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Took advantage of Franz Ferdinand’s assassination
Declared war on Serbia.

Question 3

Who is Bethmann - Hollweg?

Answer 3

Chancellor of the German Empire 1909-1917

Promised to support Austria-Hungary in any action against Serbia.
This is known as the ‘blank check’.
Tipped the balance in favour of war.

Question 4

Who is Raymond PoinCare?

Answer 4

French prime minister three times between 1914 and 1918

Encouraged French nationalism.
Opposed Germany as a result of the franco-Prussian war.
Oversaw arms race with germany.

Question 5

Who is Franz Joseph 1?

Answer 5

Emperor of Austria,

Formed an alliance in 1879 with Germany.
Had already made preparations for war with Serbia.
Issued ultimatum to Serbia After the assassination which led to war.

Question 6

Who is Tsar Nicholas?

Answer 6

Tsar (king) of Russia 1894-1917

Tried to avert the war using diplomacy.
Had no military experience and a poorly maintained army.
Self-appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army.