The First World War

Question 1

What is Nationalism?

Answer 1

Nationalism refers to the sense of unity felt by the people, who share a common history, language and culture.

Question 2

What is meant by Aggressive Nationalism?

Answer 2

Aggressive nationalism meant love for one’s own country and hatred of other countries.
Eg. France wanted to get back its provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from Germany. Italy wanted to get back the territory of Trentino and Trieste from Austria.
Aggressive nationalism and fierce economic competition filled the atmosphere with fear, apprehension, mutual hatred and international tension.

Question 3

What is meant by Imperialism?

Answer 3

1. Imperialism refers to the state policy or practice by which a powerful nation establishes its control over another country, either by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control.
2. The imperial nations exploited the resources of these colonies for their own economic interest.
3. The colonies provided raw material, cheap labour, agricultural land and trading ports to the imperial nations.

Question 4

Explain the cause- Race for Armaments.

Answer 4

1. The mad race for armaments after the Franco-Prussian War was one of the reasons which led to the First World War.
2. Every major power began stockpiling armaments in the name of self-defence and preservation of peace.
3. It filled the atmosphere with fear, apprehension and mutual hatred.
4. Germany had left Britain and France far behind in the production of iron and steel.
5. One of its ships, the Imperator, was the largest in the world.

Question 5

Explain the cause - Division of Europe into two hostile groups.

Answer 5

1. Germany entered into an alliance with Austria-Hungary. Italy joined the alliance and it came to be known as the Triple Alliance.
2. After the death of Bismarck, France was able to establish friendly relations with Russia and England.
3. The three countries entered into the Triple Entente to counter the Triple Alliance.

Question 6

Explain the cause - Sarajevo Crises.

Answer 6

1. Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary was assassinated at Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia on June 28, 1914.
2. The assassination was organised by a secret Tow society called Black Hand’ or ‘Union of Death’.
3. This was formed by extremist Serbian nationalists whose aim was to unite all Serbians into a single Serbian State.
4. Austria served an ultimatum on Serbia on es July 23 making eleven demands.
5. Serbia accepted most of the demands except those that would have led to the loss of her sovereignty.
6. Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.
7. Russia started preparation for war to support Serbia.
8. On August 1, 1914 Germany declared war on Russia; and on August 3, on France.
9. German troops marched into Belgium to press on to France on August 4 and on the same day Britain declared war on Germany.

Question 7

What are the causes of the first world war?

Answer 7

1. Nationalism and Imperialism
2. Race for Armaments
3. Division of Europe into two hostile groups
4. Sarajevo Crises

Question 8

Mention the three representatives at the conference in Versailles.

Answer 8

1. Woodrow Wilson, Prime minister of the United States
2. Lloyd George, Prime Minister of Britain
3. George Clemenceau, the Prime Minister of France