WWI Causes

Question 1

Long Term Cause #1: What were the 2 main alliance systems of WWI?

Answer 1

The Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary
The Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia

Question 2

Long Term Cause #1: When were these alliances formed?

Answer 2

By 1907

Question 3

Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): What was the Anglo-German Rivalry?

Answer 3

A naval rivalry established between Germany and Britain

Question 4

Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): What law was passed in Germany relating to the rivalry?

Answer 4

The Second Naval Law was passed in Germany in 1900, calling for the nation to double it’s battlefleet by 1916.

Question 5

Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): What did Britain feel about the Second Naval law?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): How did Britain respond to the Second Naval law?

Answer 6

Introduced the HMS Dreadnought battleship in 1906

Question 7

Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): What did the HMS Dreadnought trigger in Germany?

Answer 7

Triggered Germany to build their own fleet of HMS Dreadnoughts

Question 8

Long Term Cause #2 (Militarism): When did the rivalry cool down and who was in the lead?

Answer 8

1914, Britain in the lead

Question 9

Long Term Cause #3 (Militarism): What was the Arms race?

Answer 9

An increase in spending on weaponry and armies across Europe during 1900-1914

Question 10

Long Term Cause #3 (Militarism): Which 3 countries increased spending the most on Arms?

Answer 10

Germany, Russia, Italy

Question 11

Long Term Cause #4: What was Germany’s Schlieffen plan?

Answer 11

Attack France on the west quickly before mobilizing east to meet Russia

Question 12

Long Term Cause #4: What assumptions did Germany’s Schlieffen plan make?

Answer 12

Russia would take 6 weeks to mobilize
Germany would need to fight 2 countries
Invading France via Belgium wouldn’t provoke Britain

Question 13

Long Term Cause #4: What was France’s Plan 17?

Answer 13

High speed mobilization and quick attack, capturing Alsace-Lorraine, then crossing over into Germany

Question 14

Long Term Cause #4: What was Austria-Hungary’s Plan R and B?

Answer 14

Attacks on Russia and Serbia

Question 15

Long Term Cause #4: What was Russia’s plan?

Answer 15

Complex plan to attack Austria-Hungary and Germany, overwhelming both armies with sheer weight of number

Question 16

Short Term Cause #1 (Imperialism): When and what was the Moroccan Crisis? (Include year, Cause, why, Effect, outcome)

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Short Term Cause #2 (Imperialism): The Bosinian Crisis (include year, cause, effect, outcome)

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Short Term Cause #3 (Imperialism): The Balkan Wars (include year, cause, effect, outcome)

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Trigger Cause: Assassination at Sarajevo (include date, assassinators, assassinated)

Answer 19

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.