Topic 1 Flashcards
The Alliance System and International Rivalry, 1905-14
Six great powers
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, Russia and Great Britain
Triple Alliance
In 1905: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
Triple Entente
Russia, France and Great Britain
Franco-Russian Alliance
France and Russia
Entente Cordiale
Britain and France
Germany’s reason for tension in Europe
Worried that the French might attack to take back Alsace-Lorraine
Austria-Hungary’s reason for tension in Europe
Serbs living in Austria-Hungary wanted to join with Serbia. Russia supported the Serbs (because they’re both Slavs) so Austria-Hungary and Russia were rivals
Italy’s reason for tension in Europe
Wanted to join allies with other countries
France’s reason for tension in Europe
Wanted to take back Alsace-Lorraine from Germany
Russia’s reason for tension in Europe
Largest but least developed of the six powers. Worried that Germany would expand into Russian territory in central Europe.
Great Britain’s reason for tension in Europe
German Kaiser wanted Germany to have an empire and a strong navy which was a direct threat to the British Empire and its naval dominance.
Economic rivalry between Germany and GB
Germany made manufacturing processes more efficient
By 1914, Germany was producing more iron, steel, coal and even cars than Britain. Germany had taken over GB’s economic power
German naval league
Set up in 1905 - its aim was to encourage people to join the navy
British response to the naval league
It build the best battleship at the time - HMS Dreadnought (launched in 1906)
German response to the HMS Deadnought
Built the Rheinland - was the same level as the HMS Dreadnought. British then built the HMS Neptune
Naval race
Between 1906 and 1914, Britain built 29 Dreadnoughts and Germany built 17
Arms race on land - Russia
When they lost the Russo-Japanese war, Russia formed a State defense council which dealt with war plans and intelligence service.
Arms race on land - Austria-Hungary
They secretly began making enormous cannons in their Skoda works
Arms race on land - Britain
British War Minister formed a British Expeditionary Force of 144,000 soldiers who could immediately travel to France in order to assist them
Arms race on land - Germany and France
Made war plans
Attempt to reach agreements
At the end of the 1800s, in order to prevent war, a permanent court of arbitration had been set up, but taking disputes to the court was voluntary
In February 1912, the British war minister made a secret visit to Berlin. He hoped to persuade the Germans to accept the voluntary limitation of the arms race. He failed.
