WW1 Flashcards
What was the War in Sight crisis?
Germany felt threatened by the growth of French army, believed the best way to challenge France was to pressure their Government
What Law increased French Infantry battalions?
French Army Organisation Law 1873
What did the Kölnische Zeitung publish on the 5th April 1875?
Article describing a fearful picture of Catholic conspiracy by the French and Austrian Government’s which were aimed against Germany
What did The Berliner Post publish on the 9th april 1875?
article titled “is war in sight”?
What was Moltke’s report?
Report on French military expansion which was sent to Britain
What did a German Diplomat tell the French Ambassador?
Many Reichstag politicians were considering a preventative war which alarmed Russia, France and Britain
Who did the Tsar visit?
With support of Britain, he visited the Tsar for private talks, Russian Chancellor Gorchakov told the press that peace had been restored
Why was Bismarck annoyed with Gorchavok?
Believed that Russian influence had undermined his policy against France, led to him backing down on his attacks towards France
Who was excluded from private talks between the Kaiser and the Tsar?
Bismarck, felt undermined as he was excluded from the talks which set out the direction of Germany policy
When was the Three Emperors League formed and who did it include?
1873, included Russia, Austro-Hungary and Germany
What were the consequences of the War in Sight crisis?
Weakened the Three Emperors League
When did Austria go to war with Serbia?
28th July 1914
Who did Germany support in the war?
Austria, blank cheque
When did Germany declare war on Russia?
1st August 1914
What was the Schlieffen plan?
Germany goes through Belgium to knock out France before taking on Russia
What was Burgfriede?
People had put away differences to support Germany in war
What was the Turnip Winter?
Harsh winter of 1916, crop failure, food shortages
What were the effects of the Allied Naval Blockade
750,000 Germans died in WW1 due to starvation, Germany relied on exports for 1/3 of food
What was the impact of WW1 on Germany?
breakdown of burgfriede, SPD began questioning cost of the war, Jews were blamed for the continuation of the war.
What is Siegfriedan?
“peace with victory”, the war should continue until Germany gets substantial territorial gains
What was the Zimmerman telegram?
German telegram sent to Mexico encouraging them to ally with Germany and invade the USA, promised military assistance
What was the Kreuznach Programme?
annexation of the Baltic region, Poland, Luxembourg, French coal and iron fields, economic dominance, control of Romanian oil fields and territory of the Balkans given to German allies
How did the Russian revolution affect Germany?
Inspired renewed calls for political reform, Kaiser promised he would reform Prussian electoral system after the war
Who was made chancellor in 1916?
Hindenburg, Ludendorff as second in command
Who controlled Germany Policy during the war after 1914?
Hindenburg and Ludendorff, threatened to resign if their policies weren’t followed
Who was Erzberger?
Member of the Centre Party
What was Erzberger’s peace resolution?
Called for a peace without victory
What was the result of the peace resolution?
Hindenburg and Ludendorff saw it as an opportunity to force Hollweg to resign, claimed they couldn’t work with him anymore and threatened to resign if he didn’t
When did Hollweg resign and who replaced him?
Resigned 13th July 1917, replaced by Michaelis
How many votes did the Pease Resolution pass by?
86 votes
Who agreed to draft the Peace Resolution?
An Inter-Party Committee made up of members of the Centre Party, National Liberals, SPD and Progressives
What was the Vaterlandspartei?
Formed by Ludendorff, made up of conservatives and middle class nationalists, called for adherence to the Kreuznach programme
How many members did the Vaterlandspartei have in 1918?
1 million members
Why did Erzberger’s peace resolution fail?
The Vaterlandspartei creating a strong message against it
