Outbreak of WW1

Question 1

How was Germany doing with Weltpolitik + Foreign policy by 1914?

Answer 1

Weltpolitik achieved little in terms of foreign territory- most foreign territory had already been seized before 1900
Naval power coming close to rivalling Britain

Question 2

How was Germany doing economically by 1914?

Answer 2

Economic powerhouse of continental Europe- rapid industrial growth and urbanisation
But massive debts due to rapidly expanding army and navy + few tax increases to compensate as Reichstag blocked it

Question 3

What impact did Urbanisation have politically by 1914?

Answer 3

Urbanisation led to growth of socialism- SPD largest socialist party in Europe

Question 4

How were political parties divided in 1914?

Answer 4

Political parties don’t trust each other, none of the parties are willing to challenge the authority of the Kaiser

Question 5

Why were political parties divided in 1914?

Answer 5

Nationalist and economic pressure groups contribute to sense of division in German politics and society

Question 6

What were the CAUSES of WW1?

Answer 6

Militarism (arms race)
Alliance system (Triple Alliance 1882)
Imperialism (race for colonies abroad and competition between overseas empires)
Nationalism made nations assertive and aggressive

Question 7

What were the steps to win/prevent a war?

Answer 7

• Germany feared war on 2 fronts
  
  • Schlieffen Plan formally adopted in 1905, before developing further over next decade
  • Plan was to defeat France in 6 weeks on the Western front, before Russia mobilises, then turn attention to Eastern Front and defeat Russia

Question 8

What were the Balkan wars 1912-13?

Answer 8

Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Greece attack Turkey. International conference prevents war escalating, protecting Russian and Austrian interests. Austria threatened by expansionist Serbia

Question 9

What was the War Council meeting of December 1912?

Answer 9

• Germany felt increasingly encircled, so Kaiser met army and navy chiefs
  
  • Discussed possibility of war and when the best time to fight would be
  • Could be planning a war or preparing for a war

Question 10

What was the Trigger crisis of WW1?

Answer 10

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand + wife 1914

Question 11

What is the context behind the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in 1914?

Answer 11

• Bosnia was province that had been under Austro-Hungarian administration since 1878. Austria annexed province outright in 1908, controversial move upsetting western governments. Serbia outraged- wanted province to be part of Serbian state
  
  • Serbian terrorist group (Black Hand) resolved to assassinate Franz Ferdinand during visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia on 28 June 1914
    Franz Ferdinand + wife were shot and killed by member of Black Hand

Question 12

What did the 1914 assassination lead to?

Answer 12

• Assassination provided Austria-Hungary with excuse to take action against Serbia. July 1914, situation escalated- pulling in major European powers via complex alliance relationships each had struck up with one another
  
  • 5th-6th July: Kaiser + Bethmann gave full support to Austria known as the ‘blank cheque’