WWI Causes Flashcards
Long Term Cause #1: What were the 2 main alliance systems of WWI?
The Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary
The Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia
Long Term Cause #1: When were these alliances formed?
By 1907
Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): What was the Anglo-German Rivalry?
A naval rivalry established between Germany and Britain
Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): What law was passed in Germany relating to the rivalry?
The Second Naval Law was passed in Germany in 1900, calling for the nation to double it’s battlefleet by 1916.
Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): What did Britain feel about the Second Naval law?
They felt their leading navy was being threatened. They were suspicious as to why Germany would need a fleet if they didn’t have an empire.
Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): How did Britain respond to the Second Naval law?
Introduced the HMS Dreadnought battleship in 1906
Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): What did the HMS Dreadnought trigger in Germany?
Triggered Germany to build their own fleet of HMS Dreadnoughts
Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): When did the rivalry cool down and who was in the lead?
1914, Britain in the lead
Long Term Cause #3 (Militarism): What was the Arms race?
An increase in spending on weaponry and armies across Europe during 1900-1914
Long Term Cause #3 (Militarism): Which 3 countries increased spending the most on Arms?
Germany, Russia, Italy
Long Term Cause #4: What was Germany’s Schlieffen plan?
Attack France on the west quickly before mobilizing east to meet Russia
Long Term Cause #4: What assumptions did Germany’s Schlieffen plan make?
Russia would take 6 weeks to mobilize
Germany would need to fight 2 countries
Invading France via Belgium wouldn’t provoke Britain
Long Term Cause #4: What was France’s Plan 17?
High speed mobilization and quick attack, capturing Alsace-Lorraine, then crossing over into Germany
Long Term Cause #4: What was Austria-Hungary’s Plan R and B?
Attacks on Russia and Serbia
Long Term Cause #4: What was Russia’s plan?
Complex plan to attack Austria-Hungary and Germany, overwhelming both armies with sheer weight of number
Short Term Cause #1 (Imperialism): When and what was the Moroccan Crisis? (Include year, Cause, why, Effect, outcome)
Year: 1905 and 1911
Cause: France was getting ready to colonize Morocco, but Germany decided to oppose.
Why: Germany’s Wilhelm II didn’t want France to expand it’s empire, wanted to establish German power in Africa, and wanted to test the Franco-Brit alliance
Effect: He made a speech supporting Morocco’s independence, angry France called for an international conference. At the conference, only Austria-Hungary supported Germany, while Britain and Russia supported France.
Outcome: Morocco was colonized. Franco-Brit alliance strengthened.
Short Term Cause #2 (Imperialism): The Bosinian Crisis (include year, cause, effect, outcome)
Year: 1908
Cause: Austria-Hungary is week and wants to expand its empire.
Effect: Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia
Outcome: Russia and Serbia get angry. Serbia wants revenge.
Short Term Cause #3 (Imperialism): The Balkan Wars (include year, cause, effect, outcome)
Year: 1912-13
Cause: Serbia wants to expand
Effect: Series of local wars in the Balkans
Outcome: Serbia doubles in size. Austria-Hungary wants revenge
Trigger Cause: Assassination at Sarajevo (include date, assassinators, assassinated)
Date: 28th of June, 1914
Assassinators: Serb Gavrilo Princip from the anti-Austrian group “The Black Hand”
Assassinated: Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, He was the heir to the Austrian throne.
