The Origins of the First World War

Question 1

Who was part of the Triple ALLIANCE and when was it signed?

Answer 1

Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1882.

Question 2

What happened in 1879 which helped with the formation of the triple ALLIANCE?

Answer 2

The German chancellor signed the Dual alliance with Austria to strengthen Germany against France and Russia.

Question 3

What did the members of the Triple ALLIANCE promise to do if attacked?

Answer 3

If attacked by two or more powers, the defensive ALLIANCE promised to support each other.

Question 4

Name the three stages of the Triple ENTENTE and dates

Answer 4

1) Franco-Russian Alliance of 1894
2) Entente Cordiale of 1904
3) Anglo-Russian Entente of 1907

Question 5

Who was part of the Triple ENTENTE?

Answer 5

Britain, Russia and France.

Question 6

Was the Franco-Russian Alliance defensive?

Answer 6

Yes, this is because both countries agreed to support each other if attacked by EITHER Germany OR Austria-Hungary

Question 7

Give one reason for the Franco Russian ALLIANCE.

Answer 7

• Kaiser Wilhelm II made it clear that he did not want close relations with Russia
• France AND Russia felt isolated in Europe
• Russia needed a loan to help with their economy
• France was determined to get revenge on Germany for the defeat in 1871 and wanted to recover Alsace-Lorraine

Question 8

By signing the Entente Cordiale in 1904, what was Britain breaking?

Answer 8

Their British policy of Splendid Isolationism as Britain usually played very small parts in European affairs

Question 9

What is an ENTENTE?

Answer 9

An agreement to settle differences

Question 10

Give one reason for the Entente Cordiale.

Answer 10

• There was increasing Naval rivalry between Germany and Britain due to German Naval expansion.
• Britain felt isolated as Germany had declined to sign an agreement to limit naval expansion
• France continued to want revenge on Germany and the recovery of the lost provinces.
• Britain wanted to stop interference in Egypt and the French wanted to expand into Morocco.

Question 11

Give the effects of the Entente Cordiale

There’s three

Answer 11

• Kaiser Wilhelm II became suspicious and was determined to break it up.
• It encouraged French expansion in Morocco.
• Anglo-French relations became closer so by 1914, the countries had even planned how to fight a future war against Germany.

Question 12

Give a main reason as to why the Anglo-Russian Entente of 1907 was signed

Answer 12

• French influence because France already had an alliance with Russia AND France had the Entente Cordiale with Britain
• Britain and Russia also wanted to settle areas of difference in the Middle East and Far East.

Question 13

Why was the Alliance system important?

Answer 13

• It increased tension in Europe, two fighting bodies

- A dispute between one of the members could involve the other members, turning a minor dispute into a major one

Question 14

What was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s aims in foreign policy for BRITAIN?

Answer 14

• He was determined to expand the German empire and find a “Place in the Sun” and this policy of Weltpolitik threatened the British interests in Africa and the Far East.
• He was determined to build up the German Navy and threaten British naval supremacy.

Question 15

What was Kaiser Wilhelm’s aims for foreign policy for FRANCE?

Answer 15

To challenge the Entente Cordiale by interfering with French interests in Morocco.

Question 16

What was Kaiser Wilhelm’s aims in foreign policy for RUSSIA?

Answer 16

Wilhelm supported the interests of Austria-Hungary in the Balkans which infuriated Russia.

Question 17

When was the First Moroccan Crisis?

Answer 17

1905-1906

Question 18

Why did the Kaiser cause the First Moroccan Crisis?

Answer 18

He wanted to test the strength of the Entente Cordiale.

Question 19

What was said in The Kaiser’s speech in Tangiers in 1905 that sparked a crisis?

Answer 19

That Morocco should remain independent of France.

Question 20

When and where did the conference after the incident at Tangiers in 1905 happen?

Answer 20

Algeciras in Spain in 1906

Question 21

Why was the conference at Algeciras in 1906 a disaster for Kaiser Wilhelm II?

Answer 21

Only Austria-Hungary supported his demands for Moroccan independence.

Question 22

What effects did the First Moroccan Crisis have on the Alliances? (There’s three)

Answer 22

• France was given a free hand in Morocco and were grateful to Britain.
• The Kaiser’s attempts to break up the Entente Cordiale backfired and bonds between Britain and France were strengthened.
• Anglo-German rivalry intensified as the Kaiser blamed Britain for the humiliating defeat.

Question 23

When was the Second Moroccan Crisis?

Answer 23

1911

Question 24

What was the Kaiser trying to achieve after he sent the Panther gunboat to Fez in Morocco? Why did he do this?

Answer 24

He was trying to build a naval base in Morocco for Germany. He did this because he wanted to force the French to agree to compensation in the form of the French Congo in Africa.

Question 25

What did Lloyd George warn to the Germans?

Answer 25

He warned that the Britain would back the French by war if necessary as Britain’s fleet was ready for war.

Question 26

What effects did the Second Moroccan Crisis have? (There’s four)

Answer 26

• It increased tension in Europe
• It strengthened Anglo-French Entente due to British support for the French
• The Kaiser suffered yet another humiliating defeat and was unlikely to back down a third time
• It increased Anglo-German rivalry and the Kaiser blamed his humiliation on the British