Book 3 - Unit 1A - The First World War (1914-18)

Causes of the War 

1   Why did Bismarck set up the alliance system against France?

To stop other powers from allying with France, Bismarck believed that the best way was to isolate France. So he started to set up alliances against France in the early 1870s.
2   What two alliances were set up in Europe during 1882-1907?

The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.
3   What effect would the alliance system have in the event of war?

The alliance system was important because it could turn a local war into a general war. If a member of the Triple Alliance was at war with a member of the Triple Entente, the other members had to help them. In this way, the alliance system helped to bring about the First World War.

The Armaments Race 

4   What caused the armaments race between 1871-1914?

In the period 1871-1914, most great powers were allied with each other. yet they were not sure if their allies would help them in the case of a war. One way for a country to defend itself was to build more armaments. So an armaments race started.
5    In what way did the armaments race help bring about the First World War?

From 1870-1914, the European powers raced in building a large army, a large navy and in producing weapons of war.

Economic and Colonial Rivalries 

6    How did economic rivalry cause tension between the European powers?

Most powers charged foreign goods high import taxes called tariffs to protect their industries. Foreign goods after paying tariffs would become more expensive than local goods. Yet this kind of protective policy increased the powers' tense relations.
7    Why were the European powers interested in building colonies?

Because colony was a symbol of strength. Britain was a great power because she had a large colonial empire.
8    How did this interest in building colonies cause conflict and tension between the powers?
The powers competed for colonies in Africa and S.E. Asia. In many cases they had an interest n the same area.
Extreme Nationalism

9    What effect did nationalism have on the French with regard to Germany?

Nationalism is a belief that people sharing the same customs, language, religion and history should have the right to self-government.
10  What effect did the nationalism of Austria-Hungary have?

The nationalism of Austria-Hungary changed into a desire for expansion in the Balkan peninsula. This brought her into conflict with Russia and Serbia. Both these countries also wanted to expand in the Balkans.
11  What effect did extreme nationalism have on the European powers in general?
Extreme nationalism deepened the powers' national rivalry. This led to many crises in Africa and in the Balkans. One of these crises, the assassination at Sarajevo, finally sparked off the First World War.
Events Leading to War

(a)   Crises in Morocco

12   How did the Moroccan Crisis begin?

the first pre-war crisis took place in Morocco, in North Africa. Both France and Germany wanted to colonize the place. This brought on two crises, in 1905 and 1911. 
13   What was the result of the Moroccan crisis?
The two Moroccan Crises ended in Germany's defeat. In the end, Morocco came under French influence. This angered Germany. Their relations grew worse. The bad relations between the two countries speeded up the coming of the First World War.
(b)    Crises in the Balkans

14   How did Austria-Hungary anger Serbia?

In the same period, the nationalism of Austria-Hungary changed into a desire for expansion in the Balkan peninsula. This brought her into conflict with Russia and Serbia. Both these countries also wanted to expand in the Balkans.
15   Who started the first Balkan War against Turkey? Why?

In 1912, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro started the First Balkan War against their former ruler, Turkey. If they defeated Turkey in this war, they could divide the Turkish land in the Balkans among themselves.
16   What did Austria-Hungary do after Turkey was defeated in the first Balkan War?

Austria-Hungary helped the Albanians set up an independent country on the west Balkan coast.
17   Why did Bulgaria start the Second Balkan War against Serbia?

Because she was not satisfied with her gains in the First Balkan War.
18   How did Serbia's victory in the Second Balkan War affect Austria-Hungary?
Austria-Hungary lost the war. Serbia grew more powerful after the war. Austria-Hungary was determined to stop her from becoming too powerful and would not give up any chance.
(c)    The Sarajevo Incident

19   What happened at the Sarajevo Incident on June 28, 1914?
On June 28, 1914, a Bosnian murdered Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Emperor of Austria-Hungary. This murder took place in Sarajevo, the former capital of Bosnia. So it was called the Sarajevo Incident.
(d)    The Outbreak of War

20   How did the Sarajevo Incident bring about the outbreak of a general war?
Austria-Hungary would not let the chance go, so she said that Serbia was behind the murder. After getting German support, she declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. A local war had started. Within a week, however, this local war developed into a general war.