20th century conflicts

Question 1

Long-Term Causes

Answer 1

Militarism → Arms race, German-British naval rivalry. Alliances → Triple Entente vs. Triple Alliance. Imperialism → Competition for colonies, Moroccan Crises. Nationalism → Balkan tensions (Pan-Slavism vs. Austria).

Political Instability → Weak democratic rule (Second Republic). Economic Inequality → Wealthy landowners vs. poor peasants. Extremism → Fascists vs. Communists; rising violence. Military Influence → History of coups, army intervention.

Question 2

Short-Term Causes

Answer 2

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914). July Crisis → Diplomatic failures, Germany’s “Blank Check” to Austria. Schlieffen Plan → German invasion of Belgium brought Britain into war.

1936 Elections → Left-wing Popular Front wins, angering right-wing factions. Murder of José Calvo Sotelo → Right-wing leader assassinated. Military Coup → Franco and generals attempt takeover, leading to war.

Question 3

Foreign Influence

Answer 3

Britain, France, Russia (Entente) vs. Germany, Austria-Hungary (Central Powers). USA entered in 1917 (decisive).

Nationalists (Franco) → Support from Nazi Germany (Luftwaffe, Condor Legion) & Italy (troops, weapons). Republicans → Soviet support, but disorganized. Western democracies neutral (Britain & France).

Question 4

Human & Economic Mobilization

Answer 4

Total war → Conscription, war economies, industry shift to military production. Casualties → ~20 million deaths.

Nationalists had better military discipline & supply chains. Republicans struggled due to internal divisions. Casualties → ~500,000 deaths.

Question 5

Guerrilla Warfare

Answer 5

Minimal; trench warfare dominated.

Used by Republicans but lacked coordination. Nationalists had superior military strategy.

Question 6

Technology & Warfare

Answer 6

New weapons → Machine guns, tanks, poison gas, aircraft, U-boats.

First large-scale aerial bombing (Guernica, 1937). Tanks and mechanized infantry key to Nationalist victory.

Question 7

Impact on Women

Answer 7

Women worked in factories, transport, & medical roles. Gained suffrage in Britain (1918) & Germany (1919).

Republicans promoted women’s rights, but Franco reversed progress. Women’s roles restricted under Franco’s dictatorship.

Question 8

Territorial Changes

Answer 8

Treaty of Versailles redrew Europe → Poland, Yugoslavia created; Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine.

No territorial changes; Spain remained unified under Franco.

Question 9

Political Consequences

Answer 9

Empires collapsed (Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, Russian, German). Rise of fascism & communism (Germany, Italy, USSR).

Franco’s dictatorship (1939-1975) → Suppressed opposition, Catholic Church restored. Spain stayed neutral in WWII.

Question 10

Peacemaking & Future Conflicts

Answer 10

Treaty of Versailles (1919) → Germany blamed, harsh reparations, leading to WWII.

No formal peace treaty; Franco ruled with repression until 1975.