Origins of the Great War: Reading Flashcards
(13 cards)
What made Germany powerful and ambitious before 1914 and what did Kaiser Wilhlm II admire about Britain>
Post-1871 had industrialised, was culturally and scientifically advanced with Berlin seen as “Athens of the world”. Kaiser Whilhem II admired the empire model (overseas territories but German in landlocked position which was a fear of Bismarck)
What were the roots of Franco-German tensions pre-1914 and how were these escalated?
Unresolved conflict over Alsace-Lorraine (lost by France in 1871) which was worsened when Russia turned to France in the 1890s for support in the Balkans after deteriorating relations with Germany
How did Max Weber justify German imperialism and what did Britain do in reaction?
Claimed Germany could defeat British navy and had internal social needs for empire (he was wrong) -> British made Entente Cordiale (1904) and Anglo-Russian Entente (1907)
How did the Balkans and Ottoman Empire decline?
- Italy’s 1911 war against Turkey triggered Balkans wars(1912-13) which destabilised the region
- Russia’s access to tech Dardanelles (crucial for Southern Russia’s trade and economy became threatened by German influence in Ottoman Empire -> alarmed Russians in 1913
What were the goals of Russia’s 1913 rearmament programme and why did this scare German generals?
To modernise its military and railway systems, with times to surpass Germany by 1917 -> German generals had fear if they did not strike soon, Russia would become militarily unbeatable
What was the impact of Serbia’s victories in the Balkan Wars have on Austria-Hungary?
Made the empire seem weak as it struggled to contain rising nationalist moments (especially South Slavs). Serbia emboldened Slavic nationalism within the empire
What happened on 28th June 1914 and how did German react?
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip (a Bosnian Serb nationalist) -> Germany gave Austria a “blank cheque” of support to confront Serbia
What does the Riezler diary (7th July 1914) reveal?
German elites feared Russia’s rise and saw war in 1914 as their best chance to act
Why was timing so critical in Germany’s war planning?
Mobilisation logistics (especially railway timetables), made precise timing essential
What events followed Austria’s ultimatum to Serbia and how did this result in a general war?
War was declared on 28th July following ultimatum (Germany prepared for wider conflict, calling it a “gift from Mars”).
Russi mobilised to defend Serbia -> Germany declared war on Russia (1 Aug) and France (3 Aug)
Britain joined after Germany invaded Belgium (4 Aug)
What were the debates amongst historians as to where the policies of 1914 were created in the various executives of European powers?
Some blame a bad apple (i.e. Germany), others blame faults in the ‘system’
Serbia = blind spot -> some argue that the assassination caused nothing but with historical insight it can be evident how singular significant events shape larger historical processes (i.e. 9/11 and the subsequent invasion of Iraq)
What does Christopher Clark argue the reason for outbreak of war?
Due to a culmination of decisions made by political actors with their own best interests at heart -> nationalism, armaments, alliances and finances all factors as well
What three things does Christopher Clark declare crucial to understand in the outbreak of WWI?
- The complexity of events in 1914 that were changes to international system i.e. Turco-Russian naval arms race in Black Sea, Russian Policy
- Russia and France tied the fortunes of two of the world’s greatest powers (Balkans wars and Germany)
- “Smoking gun in the hand of every character” -> crisis of war was that of a shared culture (all wanted empires)
