Explanations for World War One Flashcards
(23 cards)
Individual-level explanations
Anachronistic leaders, leaders’ characteristics.
“Anachronistic leaders” is an example of?
An individual-level explanation.
Anachronistic leaders
- Out of touch with times and people.
- Remnants of the old imperial system.
- Dedicated to preserving their rule and lineage as opposed to their nation’s security.
- Did not understand the impact of technology, industrialisation, nationalism or popular opinion.
“Leaders’ characteristics” is an example of?
An individual-level explanation.
Leaders’ characteristics
- German General Helmuth von Moltke’s fear of Russia.
- Austrian Field Marshal Conrad von Hotzendorff’s hawkish views of Serbia.
- British Foreign Minister Edward Grey’s indecision.
- Russian Tsar Nicholas II’s vacillation and belligerence.
Unit-level explanations
Aggressive states, weak states, Lenin’s theory of imperialism, international arms manufacturers, nationalism.
“Aggressive states” is an example of?
A unit-level explanation.
Aggressive states
- Germany started the war to prevent Russia from gaining too much power and threatening German security.
- German colonial ambitions.
- German desire to become a world power.
- Intensifying German nationalism.
“Weak states” is an example of?
A unit-level explanation.
Weak states
- Austria-Hungary’s national and ethnic troubles following the establishment of the Dual Monarchy in 1867 which gave power to Austrians and Hungarians over other ethnicities in the region.
- Slavs thus demanded independence, backed by Serbia and Russia.
- Russian public’s distrust of the Russian government following military defeat to Japan.
“Lenin’s theory of imperialism” is an example of?
A unit-level explanation.
Lenin’s theory of imperialism
- As strains in capitalist societies grow, they seek to ease tensions by economic imperialism.
- Investment in cheap labour abroad, raw materials, export markets, etc.
- States become aggressive when they realise there is not much left to colonise.
“International arms manufacturers” is an example of?
A unit-level explanation.
International arms manufacturers
Desperate to sell to anyone and anywhere enabled arms races and public fear.
“Nationalism” is an example of?
A unit-level explanation.
Nationalism
- A background factor in producing a hostile atmosphere.
- Slavic nationalism threatened Austria-Hungary.
- Russian nationalism pressured the Tsar to aid Serbia.
- French nationalism demanded German return of Alsace and Lorraine.
- Nationalism rallied citizens around the leaders when war came.
Global systems-level explanations
Changing distributions of power, systems overload, technological change.
“Changing distributions of power” is an example of?
A global systems-level explanation.
Changing distributions of power
- Growing German industrial, military and economic might sparked fear in neighbours France, Britain and Russia.
- Led to arms races and alliances.
- The retreat of Ottoman Turkey from Balkans was a void both Russia and Austria-Hungary wished to fill.
“Systems overload” is an example of?
A global systems-level explanation.
Systems overload
- Changing times and power distributions overwhelmed leaders.
- Expectations about the world were no longer correct; thus, they felt threatened and vulnerable.
- The assassination of Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo caused leaders to have a nervous breakdown.
“Technological change” is an example of?
A global systems-level explanation.
Technological change
- The inability of statesmen/generals to understand its significance.
- Removal of authority from statesmen to generals after military mobilisation.
- When generals do not understand technological change, they prepare for the wrong kind of war (they put a premium on attacking first).
