WW1 Flashcards
Complete Transformation of War (and the World)
- Birth of modern warfare
- Nations come in thinking this will be like previous wars
(reliant on cavalry and other old methods) - Modern technologies create a new, devastating form
of warfare - More people are killed and more money is spent than any preceding war
- Not to mention the Spanish Flu…
- Directly related to the fall of four monarchies and ignites colonial revolts in the Middle East/Asia
M.A.I.N. Causes of WWI
Militarism: Building up armies in preparation for conflict
Alliances: Countries were bound to defend each other
Imperialism: Increased rivalry and competition amongst the world powers and their fight to be the most powerful
Nationalism: Countries wanted to compete to prove their
supremacy. Also led to ethnic conflict between people and their governments.
Militarism
- The building of armies and military forces in preparation for conflict. The standing armies of France and Germany doubled in size between 1870 and 1914.
- Technological advancements in warfare
- Development of Tanks, Machine Guns, Chemical
Weapons, War Ships, Uniforms…
Alliances
What are Military Alliances? - Agreements between nations to protect and support each other.
Alliances
1882 – Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
- Italy angered over French occupation of Tunisia
- Allied with 3 great powers and friendly with
Britain
▪ “splendid isolationism”
1907- Triple Entente
- Britain feared Germany’s growing naval power
- Wilhelm II plans to build up a navy strong
enough to sufficiently threaten the British navy
- Joins with Russia & France → Germany is
encircled
Why the Triple Alliance?
● Germany and Austria-Hungary were already close allies and had signed a military pact in 1879
● Italy joined the alliance in 1882 because it wanted support after losing colonies to France in North Africa
Why the Triple Entente?
● The countries already had agreements between one another for a variety of reasons, and it formed out of consequence.
● Italy would switch sides and join the Entente at the start of the war because they were offered territories to join.
Imperialism
What is Imperialism?
● Establishment of political and economic control over other countries
○ Often via establishing colonies and territories
Wilhelm II
Kaiser of Germany, King of Prussia
◼ Believed he ruled by divine right
◼ More ambitious and expansionist than Wilhelm I
Desired “a place in the sun” for Germany and to be considered among the Great Powers of Europe
How many colonies did most European nations have? What about Germany?
Imperialism
The “Scramble for Africa”
● Africa was a theatre for imperial competition between European powers.
● Africa is rich in resources and Europeans competed for them.
Rising Tensions: Conflict in Africa
1905 Germany announced its support for Morocco to declare independence from France
1908 Bosnian Crisis - Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia, upsetting Serbian nationalists backed by Russia who wanted Pan-Slavism
Nationalism
- Pride/devotion to one’s nation…
France
● Contending values over territory of Alsace-Lorraine: controlled by Germany since 1871, France wants it back…
Pan-Slavic Movement
● Russia wanted to gain a dominating position in the Balkans to act as “big brother” for the Slavs
● Pan-Slavic Movement: The belief that all Slavic language countries should unify
The Balkans
● Southern Slavs (Yugoslavs) wished for a united Slavic people so:
● A secret Serbian nationalist society (The Black Hand) was created which used terrorism to further the cause of Slavic Unity
○ Unification or Death
