WWI: Causes of the First World War Flashcards
What is militarism and how does it cause WWI?
- It is a belief that a country should have and keep building a military.
- Britain and Germany were having an arms and naval race between 1898 and 1912.
- Prior to the war, all countries in the main alliances ramped up their spending
What are alliances and how do they cause WWI?
Alliances are unions between two countries that give them mutual benefits
The Triple Alliance was signed in 1882 and consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
The Triple Entente was signed in 1907 and consisted of Russia, Britain and France.
After the shooting of Franz Ferdinand, the alliance system came into play creating a domino effect of tension.
What is imperialism and how did it cause WWI?
Imperialism is a policy of extending a countries power through land - usually through an empire or colony.
Many countries within alliances had been formed for some time and had large amounts of land. Britain, for example, was one of the biggest empires in history.
Germany, on the other hand, only formed in 1871 and so it had less time to gather an empire.
Kaiser Wilhelm wanted ‘a place in the sun’ meaning land in Africa where important and valuable resources were.
What is nationalism and how does it cause WWI?
Nationalism is a feeling of love or pride for ones own country. It is often a belief that it is superior to other countries.
Countries, especially in the Balkans, wanted independence from Austria-Hungary and so there was tension in that area.
Countries were also hugely nationalistic and believed their country was superior to others and were much more likely to go to war if their sovereignty was threatened.
Who was Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.
How did Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s death play a role in the start of WWI?
On the 28th June, 1914, Franz Ferdinand was shot by a member of the Black Hand (a nationalist Serbian group that wanted independence for Bosnia).
Austria-Hungary threatened war with Serbia and countries within both the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente began to get involved.
