War and Ultranationalism: Can you discuss?

Question 1

Kaiser Wilhelm II - policies “Weltpolitik” - aim was to transform Germany into a global power

Answer 1

• marked a decisive break with former “Realpolitik.” The aim was to transform Germany into a global power through aggressive diplomacy, the acquisition of overseas colonies, and the development of a large navy

Question 2

Pre-1914 Alliance Systems

Answer 2

• World War I had two main factions: the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire; and the Allies, which included France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan and later, the United States
• two main alliance systems that divided the main powers of Europe and set the stage for the First World War. In short, this includes the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente

Question 3

Cause of WW1

Answer 3

• Imperialism, Nationalism, Alliances, Increased Militarism, plus Assassination (why were the Balkans referred to as the powder keg on Europe)

Question 4

Members of the Triple Entente

Answer 4

• Great Britain, France, and Russia, the nucleus of the Allied Powers in World War I

Question 5

Members of the Triple Alliance

Answer 5

• Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy

Question 6

Understand the reasons for a prolonged war (WW1)

Answer 6

• Great Britain and Germany both greatly increased their navies in this time period. Further, in Germany and Russia particularly, the military establishment began to have a greater influence on public policy. This increase in militarism helped push the countries involved into war.

Question 7

Understand the impact of nationalist wartime propaganda

Answer 7

• Propaganda in wartime must seek to demoralize enemy morale. A primary objective of propaganda aimed at enemy nations is to break down their will to fight. It seeks to lower the enemy’s will to resist and it does this in several ways. One is to picture the military successes on the propagandist’s side.

Question 8

Canada’s response to the war (why there was opposition from some French Canadians)

Answer 8

• Almost all French Canadians opposed conscription; they felt that they had no particular loyalty to either Britain or France. Led by Henri Bourassa, they felt their only loyalty was to Canada. English Canadians supported the war effort as they felt stronger ties to the British Empire.