Militarism
What does Militarism mean?
The build up of military power and the belief that a strong military is necessary for a nation's security and influence.
This prewar alliance, formed in 1882, included Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy?
Triple Alliance
How did competition over colonies increase distrust between European powers before 1914 and what event in which contentent can discribe this?
The Scramble for Africa occurring within Africa created a sense of fear throughout European countries about their rivals gaining more territory, resources and influence which lead to diplomatic disputes and uncertainty.
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism is a strong identification and support for a nation and peoples. It encourages national unity, independence and rivalries among other nations.
Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and when did the assassination occur?
Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28 June 1914 in Sarajevo.
What two European powers competed in a naval arms race before World War I?
Great Britain and Germany
On April 8, 1904 these two countries signed an agreement known as the Entente Cordiale, making the end of long-standing rivals over territory?
Britain and France
How did Imperialism strengthen Alliances?
During the Scramble for Africa, may thought that organizing conferences to manage colonization would isolate European powers, but it increased relationships such as Britain and France through new treaties being formed.
Why did Serbian nationalism threaten Austria-Hungary before World War I?
Serbian nationalist supported the idea of uniting with the South Slavic peoples which included some who were under Austria-Hungary's authority. This threatened Austria-Hungary in fear their empire would weaken and encourage separation.
Why did Austria-Hungary blame Serbia after the assassination, and what action did it take?
The assassination was linked to South Slav nationalism and anti-Austrian movements. Austria-Hungary sent Serbia a severe ultimatum and declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914.
What famous British battleship, launched in 1906, and intensified the Anglo-German naval arms race?
The Dreadnought. Its design made many existing battleships comparatively obsolete. You saw it coming and knew it was not going to end well.
After Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia supported Serbia and Germany backed Austria-Hungary? Explain how alliances helped expand the conflict.
These alliances drew additional support and resources from more European powers into the crisis to defend and protect one another.
Germany challenged French's influence in Morocco during the crises of 1905 and 1911. Explain how these crises affected relations between European powers?
This conflict (the Morocco crisis 1 and 2) increased pre-existing tensions between Germany and France from the 1871 Franco-Persian War where Germany took Alsace-Lorraine. This tenson increased hostility between them and contributed to closer cooperation between France and Britain. They made already existing rivalries deeply though they did not directly cause the War in 1914 to occur.
How might the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) in Britain impact Nationalism prior to the War?
In Britain, the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) increased the speed and new technologies developed along with increasing the wealth of the nations that further pushed a sentiment for a superior nation.
What territory did Austria-Hungary Annex and why did it trigger hostility leading to the assassination?
Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia in 1908 which frustrated may Bosnian's who wanted to join a united Serbia.
Explain how militarism increased tensions between European powers before 1914?
It increased a sense of competition and pressure for strong weaponry, leading to a fast and rapid build up to be used use in warfare.
Alliances were intended partly to deter attacks, yet they helped turn a regional crisis into a wider war? Explain this contradiction.
Promises of military support deter aggression due to size and impact but also encourage escalation and pull allies into a conflict due to threats of larger militaries and agreements.
A student claims, 'Imperialism was the main cause of World War I because European powers wanted more land.' Evaluate this claim using evidence from before and during 1914?
This claim supports a real concern regarding rivalries, such as the strive for control, land and resources however, it over simplifies the causes of war. The immediate crisis involving Austria-Hungary and Serbia due to the assassination was a combination of MAIN events not just one. While striving for land does demonstrate reasons for war, it is not enough alone to cause war, but the combination of all factors.
What are some ways Nationalism was demonstrated to the general population?
Art, theatre, music, sculptures and form of entertainment were used to create a sentiment of nationalism.
What took place during the set up and follow through of the assassination? (Note: Name those involved, what happened and how).
The Black Hand formed in 1914 wanted to get Austria-Hungary to leave Bosnia. The Black Hand aimed to bomb the Arch Dukes carriage on his way to Sanjevo, Bosnia. This bombing did not work, but injured two of the Arch Dukes men. The Arch Duke decided to go to the hospital to check on his men when he crossed paths with Gavrilo Princip (a member of the black hand) who shot two bullets killing the Arch duke and his wife Sophie.
Which was more important in escalating the July Crisis: long-term militarism or the decisions made by political leaders? Defend your judgment with at least two pieces of evidence.
A strong answer may argue that political decisions were more impactful because the rapid growth of militarism alone cannot cause war. Militarism made escalation more dangerous, but it was the leaders choices to follow through with the rising tensions that turned it into warfare.
If the European alliance system had not existed, would the assassination of Franz Ferdinand still have caused a major war?
It may still have caused warfare, but it may not have been the massive scale we saw occur without the alliance partnerships. Russia's support for Serbia and Germany's conflict with Russia show how the crisis widened. However, other aspects involved in MAIN intensified the reginal conflicts which could still causes significant warfare.
What was the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) and how could it drive towards World War One? (HINT: It revolves around the Scramble for Africa and the country that initially felt left out?)
The Berlin Conference was a meeting of European powers held by Germany to regulate the colonization of Africa. While goal was to create peace, it increased tensions with Britain and France having the most territory and working together further frustrating Germany.
Gavrilo Princip was a Bosnian Serb nationalist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Explain the connection between nationalism and the outbreak of the July Crisis, while avoiding an oversimplification?
Princip's beliefs were highly attached to his thoughts that Bosnia should not be under Austro-Hungarian rule. The assassination provided the immediate trigger for the crisis, but it does not mean all Serbs supported the assassination or that nationalism alone caused the war.
Put these events in chronological order and explain how they widened the war: Germany declares war on Russia; Franz Ferdinand is assassinated; Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia; Germany invades Belgium.
The order is: assassination on 28 June; Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia on 28 July; Germany declares war on Russia on 1 August; Germany invades Belgium on 4 August. The sequence shows the movement from an assassination to a regional conflict and then to a wider European war.