Causes of WWI - Imperialism (Britain, France, Germany)

Question 1

What is an empire?

Answer 1

When a group of countries is ruled over by another country

Question 2

Why did countries like Britain and Germany want large empires?

Answer 2

It gave the countries a sense of pride and prestige (respect)

Question 3

In 2014, how many Britons said they were proud of the British Empire?

Answer 3

59%

Question 4

Which two countries had the largest empires in 1900?

Answer 4

Britain and France

Question 5

Why was Germany’s empire relatively small

Answer 5

It had only become a nation in 1871 so had missed out on the opportunity to build an empire like Britain’s which had been built up for hundreds of years

Question 6

Why did the Kaiser desperately want an empire?

Answer 6

Because he knew to be a Great Power, you needed to have an empire

Question 7

How big was Germany’s empire by 1914?

Answer 7

Third largest - but a long way behind France who had the second largest

Question 8

What is a colony?

Answer 8

A country under the control of another (e.g. India was a British colony)

Question 9

Name three of Germany’s African colonies

Answer 9

Any of:

Tanzania
Rwanda
Burundi
Namibia

Question 10

How many square miles did the British Empire cover?

Answer 10

11 million

Question 11

What was famously said about the British Empire?

Answer 11

“The sun never set on the British Empire”

Question 12

Name three colonies in the British Empire in 1914

Answer 12

Any of:

India
Australia
Canada 
New Zealand
South Africa
Hong Kong

Question 13

Which two places made up most of France’s empire?

Answer 13

West Africa

Indochina (e.g. Vietnam, Cambodia)

Question 14

What is meant by ‘imperialism’?

Answer 14

To do with empires

Question 15

Why did imperialism contribute to militarism?

Answer 15

Because to take over colonies, you are likely going to need to increase the size of your armed forces

Question 16

Who started increasing the size of their armed forces so they could increase the size of their empire?

Answer 16

Germany

Question 17

Who felt threatened by Germany increasing the size of their armed forces? Why?

Answer 17

Britain and France - they did not want to compete for their empire

Question 18

When was the Morocco Crises?

Answer 18

1905 and 1911

Question 19

What did the Morocco Crises do to tensions in Europe?

Answer 19

Increase them

Question 20

Why was Morocco strategically important?

Answer 20

It was located near the Strait of Gibraltar and had ports in both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic

Question 21

What triggered the 1905 Moroccan Crisis?

Answer 21

Kaiser Wilhelm gave a speech supporting Moroccan independence. This infuriated France who wanted to take over Morocco

Question 22

What was held to try and resolve the 1905 Moroccan Crisis?

Answer 22

A conference between Britain, France and Germany in 1906

Question 23

Why did the 1906 conference increase tensions?

Answer 23

1) The Kaiser, who wanted to be seen as an impressive imperial leader, was essentially ignored by Britain and France.
2) The Kaiser was also angry at how Britain and France ganged up against Germany

Question 24

What did Britain and France do as a result of the 1905 crisis?

Answer 24

Britain and France allied with Russia to form the Triple Entente because they wanted to check Germany’s power

Question 25

What triggered the 1911 crisis?

Answer 25

The French tried to take over Morocco again. The Kaiser, unhappy with this, sent a German gunboat to Agadir (a port in Morocco)

Question 26

Where is Agadir?

Answer 26

In Morocco, on the Atlantic coast

Question 27

What was called to resolve the 1911 crisis?

Answer 27

Another conference

Question 28

How was the 1911 crisis resolved?

Answer 28

France was allowed to take over Morocco

Germany received land in central Africa compensation

Question 29

Why did the Kaiser again leave the 1911 crisis unhappy?

Answer 29

Because Britain and France ganged up on him

Question 30

What did Britain and France agree in secret after the 1911 crisis?

Answer 30

That Britain should patrol the Atlantic and France should patrol the Mediterranean

Question 31

Overall, why were the Moroccan Crises significant?

Answer 31

They raised the tensions in Europe, and divided it firmly between Britain and France - and Germany