Causes of WWI - Alliances

Question 1

Which countries were in the Triple Entente?

Answer 1

Britain, France and Russia

Question 2

Which countries were in the Triple Alliance?

Answer 2

Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy

Question 3

What is the Triple Alliance also known as?

Answer 3

The Central Powers

Question 4

Why was France wary of the German threat?

Answer 4

Germany had invaded France in the Franco-Prussian war in 1870-71

Question 5

Who won the Franco-Prussian War (between France and Germany) in 1870-71?

Answer 5

Germany

Question 6

What did Germany take from France in 1871?

Answer 6

Alsace-Lorraine - a rich industrial area

Question 7

Who did France ally with in 1893?

Answer 7

Russia

Question 8

Who did France sign the Entente Cordiale with?

Answer 8

Britain

Question 9

When was the Entente Cordiale signed?

Answer 9

1904

Question 10

What is meant by Entente Coridale?

Answer 10

Friendly relations

Question 11

Historically, were Britain and France allies or enemies?

Answer 11

Enemies

Question 12

Why, if Britain and France were historically enemies, did they sign the Entente Cordiale?

Answer 12

They were worried about the growing German threat - so promised to support one another

Question 13

When did Britain and Russia sign an agreement to make it the Triple Entente?

Answer 13

1907

Question 14

What is meant by an alliance?

Answer 14

A friendly relationship between two countries. In this context, a promise to defend each other if attacked

Question 15

When did Germany become a nation?

Answer 15

1871

Question 16

What state was the Austrian Empire in by the late nineteenth century?

Answer 16

It was struggling - lots of parts of the empire wanted their independence

Question 17

What did Austria need?

Answer 17

A strong ally

Question 18

When did Germany and Austria form an alliance?

Answer 18

1879

Question 19

What did Germany and Austria’s alliance mean?

Answer 19

That they would go to war for each other

Question 20

Why did Italy join the alliance with Germany and Austria?

Answer 20

It saw it would benefit

Question 21

When did Germany and Austria form an alliance with Italy?

Answer 21

In 1882

Question 22

Why did Britain argue the Triple Entente was necessary?

Answer 22

To prevent Germany taking over all of Europe

Question 23

Why did Germany hate the Triple Entente?

Answer 23

Germany believed it had been formed to surround - or encircle - Germany.

Question 24

In 1907, what did The Times write about the alliance system?

Answer 24

That the two groups would “check ambition and outbreaks of race hatred” (i.e. it would prevent war)

Question 25

Why was the alliance system a problem?

Answer 25

It meant if two countries went to war, their allies could quickly get dragged in and the size of the war could dramatically increase

Question 26

Where is the Balkans?

Answer 26

In south-eastern Europe

Question 27

What was the ethnic mix of the Balkans?

Answer 27

Very diverse - there were lots of different ethnic groups e.g. Serbs, Bosnians, Albanians, Croats etc.

Question 28

Who wanted influence in the Balkans?

Answer 28

The Great Powers: Russia, Austria-Hungary and the Ottomon (Turkish) empire

Question 29

Were Serbia and Russia officially allies in 1914?

Answer 29

No

Question 30

What had Russia promised Serbia?

Answer 30

That it would support it if attacked

Question 31

Why did Russia give support to Serbia?

Answer 31

Russia did not want Austria taking over Serbia and increasing their influence in the Balkans