The World Wars

Question 1

What is ‘total war’?

Answer 1

Total war is where all the resources of the nation are put towards the war effort.

Question 2

When was Franz Ferdinand killed?

Answer 2

28 June 1914

Question 3

Who was Conrad von Hötzendorf?

Answer 3

Conrad von Hötzendorf was the Austrian Chief of Staff. Prior to the assassination of the Archduke he had called for the invasion of Serbia twenty times.

Question 4

What was ‘the Blank Cheque’?

Answer 4

On the 4th of July, Germany informed Austria that it would support her over Serbia whatever route it decided to take, including, and preferably, war.

Question 5

Why did the Kaiser want war with Serbia quickly?

Answer 5

He felt that Germany was more prepared for war than Britain, France or Russia.

Question 6

How did Austria justify war with Serbia?

Answer 6

Austria issued an unreasonable ultimatum which Serbia would never accept. Even if it did, the Austrian ambassador was instructed to reject and response as unacceptable.

Question 7

How did Austria and Germany misjudge the response to the ultimatum?

Answer 7

They expected Russia to avoid conflict, instead Russia mobilised four military districts.

Question 8

(ww1) When did Germany declare war on Russia and France?

Answer 8

Russia: 1st of August
France: 3rd of August

Question 9

(ww1)Why did Sir Edward Grey and other leaders believe that Britain had to fight?

Answer 9

Even if they did not, the war would threaten their interests overseas.
The threat of Germany becoming master of Europe was too great.
Fear that France and Russia would become Britain’s enemies if Britain did not aid them.

Question 10

(ww1) When did Britain declare war on Germany?

Answer 10

11pm on the 4th of August

Question 11

Was the Serbian state complicit in the assassination?

Answer 11

No, but elements of it were, for instance the Serbian border force allowing the assassins free passage, and the military providing guns, bombs and training in Belgrade.

Question 12

Why does Christopher Clark argue that European statesmen did not expect war?

Answer 12

Successive conflicts in the Balkans without a major war breaking out
Repeated crises ‘deadening our awareness of danger’

Question 13

What does George F. Kennan describe the First World War as?

Answer 13

‘The Primal Catastrophe of the 20th Century’

Question 14

Which countries may not see WW1 as the ‘Primal Catastrophe’?

Answer 14

Poland- the war gave birth to Poland as a nation state

Australia- the war was the first act of Australia since its confederation in 1901, voluntary

Question 15

How many men died in the First World War?.

Answer 15

10-13 million

Question 16

Who described the First World War as ‘the disaster out of which all the other disasters of the 20th Century sprang’?

Answer 16

Fritz Stern

Question 17

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

Answer 17

28th June 1919

Question 18

What was Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 18

The ‘guilt clause’

Question 19

How much territory did Germany lose under the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 19

Along with all its colonies, Germany lost 13% of its European territory, and one tenth of its population.

Question 20

What military restrictions were imposed on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 20

The army was capped at 100,000 men, and conscription was banned.
The navy was capped at six battleships, and no submarines
Germany was not allowed an air force

Question 21

What were the economic consequences of Versailles for Germany?

Answer 21

Reparation payments of 132 billion gold marks
The Saar coal region was ceded to France
Half of Germany’s iron and steel industry was lost.

Question 22

What was ‘The German Question’?

Answer 22

Uncertainty over Germany’s place in the world: a major power with no significant territory outside its borders.
“Germany needs its place in the sun”- Kaiser Wilhelm
V similar to Lebensraum

Question 23

How did Ferdinand Foch describe the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 23

As ‘an armistice for 20 years’

Question 24

In what year did Germany default on its reparations, and what was the French response?

Answer 24

1923, France invaded the Rhineland

Question 25

Why did the German people and military believe they were ‘betrayed’ at Versailles?

Answer 25

No battles had been lost on German soil
Russia, a major power, had surrendered
They believed that politicians and protesters had undermined the military

Question 26

When was the Beer Hall Putsch, and what were its consequences for Adolf Hitler?

Answer 26

In Munich, 8-9th November 1923

Hitler was jailed for treason for five years, but released after nine months. It thrust Hitler into the public eye.

Question 27

What happened to Germany when the great depression struck the USA in 1929?

Answer 27

American loans were withdrawn overnight, the German economy collapsed.

Question 28

In 1938, what proportion of Germany’s GDP was being spent on military expenditures?

Answer 28

One-sixth

Question 29

(ww2) Why were Germany’s early military successes cheap?

Answer 29

It was initiated in an underemployed economy

It was efficient, and conquered territories brought major economic returns

Question 30

(ww2) How did the Allied approach to munitions building differ from the German approach?

Answer 30

The Allies prepared for a protracted war, building factories and increasing production throughout the war. Germany had failed to stockpile, and her conquests meant greater military commitments, leading to an ever increasing gap between Germany and the allies.

Question 31

What were the two elements for Soviet economic resilience in 1941-2?

Answer 31

high-level initiative and individual improvisation in the face of emergency
Huge popular response from below`

Question 32

(ww2) Why does Mark Harrison argue that Germany’s economic mobilisation was insufficient?

Answer 32

Division of responsibilities meant that the German economy was full of untouched reserves of industrial capacity, unused female labour, and underutilised SS resources.

Question 33

In 1943, how did British and German industrial employment differ?

Answer 33

In Britain, 23% of the workforce was in war related industry.
In Germany, only 14% was.

Question 34

From 1941 to 1944, what proportion of Germany’s ground forces were on the Eastern Front?

Answer 34

90%