What were the main causes of WW1? Flashcards
What did Kaiser Wilhelm say about the English in an interview?
He said that they were “mad” and tat Germans hated them. He also said that Germany needed a powerful fleet to protect her interests in even the most distant seas
What was the Schlieffen plan?
A war plan made by Germany
Who was the Schlieffen plan named after?
After German chief of staff “Alfred von Schlieffen”
When was the Schlieffen plan thought up?
Long before WW1
What three ideas were the Schlieffen plan made up of?
1) If there was a war, Germany would have to fight France and Russia
2) France was weak (defeated by Germany in 10 weeks in 1870)
3) Russia was strong but slow (Schlieffen thought Russia would take 6 weeks to launch their army)
What percentage of the German army did Schlieffen plan to use to invade and “take out” France quickly?
90%
When did the naval race between Germany and England occur?
1906 and onwards
By 1914, how many battleships had England built?
27
By 1914, how many battleships had Germany built?
17
In what year was Morocco given to France and England?
1904
In what year did Germany announce their support for Moroccan independence?
1905
In what year was the gunboat panther seen off the Moroccan coast as a threat?
1911
Where and when was the alliance system first developed?
Europe in 1914
How many alliances were Europe split into?
2
Who developed a strong relationship after signing the Entente cordial in 1904?
France and England
Who later signed the Entente cordial in 1907 to form the triple alliance?
Russia
Who formed the dual alliance in 1879?
Germany and Austria-Hungary
Who later joined the dual alliance to make the triple alliance?
Italy
All the countries in what continent built up their armies and navies?
Europe
How many young men had Germany trained pre-war?
8.5 million
How many young men had Russia trained pre-war?
4.4 million
How many young men had France trained pre-war?
3.5 million
How many young men had Austria-Hungary trained pre-war?
3 million
What did superior countries think it was acceptable to do?
Conquer and rule others
Which three countries had colonised vast areas of Africa in the 19th century?
France, Belgium and Italy
in 1900, how much land area did the British empire cover?
A fifth
Where was Britain trying to conquer Africa from?
Cairo and Cape town
Where was France trying to conquer Africa from?
From the Atlantic to the Red Sea
What led to Kaiser Wilhelm wanting colonies?
France and Britain trying to take over Africa
