Topic 1 The Origins of the First World War Flashcards
What was the Triple Alliance?
- Defensive Alliance
- Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
- Promised to fight if any attacked by any other 2 powers
Who formed the Triple Alliance and why
- German Chancellor Bismarck
- Realised France would want revenge after losing the Franco-Prussian War
When was the Franco-Prussian War?
1870-71
When was the Dual Alliance signed and who with?
1879 - Germany and Austria-Hungary
When was the Triple Alliance signed?
1882 - Italy joined
Why was the Triple Alliance signed?
- Signed after France’s defeat in Franco-Prussian War
- Alsace-Lorraine provinces taken from France
- Bismarck made alliances to separate France from Russia, isolate France
- Italy and Germany newly formed countries, considered unimportant
What were the effects of the Triple Alliance on Europe?
- Increased tensions with France (isolated)
- Many countries felt threatened
- Tensions rose
What was Splendid Isolation?
- The deliberate policy for Britain to stay out of European affairs as long as no single power gained complete control
What did Splendid Isolation depend on?
- Biggest navy in the world to protect and communicate with Britain’s empire
When was the Boer Wars?
1899
What was the Boer War?
- Britain fighting against Boers (Dutch farmers) in South Africa
What was Europe’s reaction to the Boer War?
- Many European countries sympathised with the Boers
- Kaiser made views publically
- However, no European action
Why was Splendid Isolation a policy for Britain?
- Biggest oversea empire
- Protected by biggest Navy
When was the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and why did it allow Splendid Isolation?
1902
- No need for an ally in Europe
- Ally in Far East against Russia
Why did Britain begin to emerge from Splendid Isolation?
- Colonial problems with France and Russia (Franco-Russian Alliance)
- 1899 Boer War
- 1898 and 1902 German build up of navy although having no empire and strongest land army
- 1900-1902 Germany declined naval expansion limiting agreement
What was the ‘three power standard’?
1902 idea to have British Navy bigger than next 3 largest fleets combined
Why was there a ‘three power standard’?
- Reaction to Germany’s build up of navy in 1898
When was the ‘three power standard’ completed?
1904
What was the Triple Entente?
A set of an alliance and two agreements between France, Britain and Russia:
- Franco-Russian Alliance
- Entente Cordiale
- Anglo-Russian Agreement
What was the Franco-Russian Alliance?
- Defensive alliance
- France and Russia
- To fight if either attacked by Germany or Austria-Hungary
Why was the Franco-Russian Alliance an unlikely alliance?
Different rules of country:
- Autocratic Tsar of Russia
- People’s Republic of France
When was the Franco-Russian Alliance signed?
1894
How long did it take to negotiate the Franco-Russian Alliance and why?
- 2 years to negotiate a treaty
- Reluctant allies
Why did France sign the Franco-Russian Alliance?
- Lost provinces Alsace-Lorraine, payed 5 billion Francs (£200 million) in reparations at Treaty of Frankfurt to Prussia
When was the Treaty of Frankfurt?
1871