WW1 Flashcards
long-term causes of ww1
militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism
central powers of ww1
germany, austria-hungary, ottoman empire
allied powers of ww1
britain, france, russia, us, italy, serbia, belgium, switzerland
who were the leaders of the countries in the triple alliance and entente?
- Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm II
- Austria-Hungary: Franz Joseph I
- Italy: Vittorio Orlando
- Britain: King George V
- France: Raymond Poincare
- Russia: Tsar Nicholas II
alliances leading to ww1
dreikaiserbund, triple alliance, franco-russian alliance, anglo-japanese naval agreement, entente cordiale, triple entente
what was another name for the dreikaiserbund, and when, why, and between who was it formed?
3 emperors’ league 1881; Germany chancellor Bismarck allied with Russia and Austria-Hungary to decrease vulnerability
when, why, and between who was the triple alliance formed, and what was the outcome?
1882; Germany allied with Italy and Austria-Hungary to further protect Germany from war on 2 fronts, Wilhelm later dumped Russia and vulnerability returned
when, why, and between who was the franco-russian alliance formed?
1892: Russia was not happy with Wilhelm’s actions, formed defensive alliance with France
when, why, and between who was the anglo-japanese naval agreement formed?
1902: Britain allied with Japan for protection in the far east
when and between who was the entente cordiale formed, and what was the outcome?
1904: friendly agreement between France and Britain that quelled animosity and threatened Germany
when and between who was the triple entent formed, and what hope did it bring?
1907: Russia joined France and Britain and people thought that this balance of power would bring peace
who was Russia allied to at the beginning of ww1?
France, Britain, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria
major holdings of the triple entente by 1914
France-Vietnam, parts of Africa, Britain-Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, India, South America
major holdings of the triple alliance by 1914
Germany-Africa, parts of Asia
essential understandings for ww1
- it was about germany’s place in europe
- france and germany hated each other; when germany united from 1870-1, france tried to stop but was destroyed in franco-prussian war, in which they lost Alsace-Lorraine
essential understandings for the arms race of ww1
- it was about insecurity as much as nationalism/expansionsm
- germany wanted “a place in the sun” alongside britain
attitudes about war and arms race in ww1
war was valid foreign policy, and imperialism resulted in militarism, with Germany being especially militaristic
how did the arms race of ww1 increase spending?
four-fold increase in defense spending 1870-1914
what were germany’s aims in the arms race of ww1, and why?
wanted biggest and best army because concerned between france and russia, wanted navy to get “place in the sun”
which country had the largest-growing army by 1914?
Russia
how many soldiers did austria-hungary have at the beginning of ww1?
3 million
how many soldiers did france have at the beginning of ww1?
3.5 million
how many soldiers did russia have at the beginning of ww1?
4.4 million
how many soldiers did germany have at the beginning of ww1?
8.5 million
what law did germany implement in 1900, and why and by who was it implemented?
German Navy Law, admiral tirpitz to achieve their goal of having “a place in the sun,”
describe the naval race between britain and germany before ww1
race for dreadnoughts, most advanced warships; by 1914, britain had 29 while germany had 17
how did the race for dreadnoughts impact the british public?
4 dreadnoughts were planned for 1909, but public said “we want 8 and we won’t wait”; reginald mckenna told parliament that germany’s navy was about to surpass the Royal Navy, forcing them to build more dreadnoughts and triggering a press scare campaign
effects of arms race ww1
