World War 1 Causes Flashcards
(17 cards)
What does militarism mean?
A policy of aggressive military expansion to defend or promote national interests.
Militarism often leads to increased military spending and competition among nations.
What are alliances in the context of international relations?
Agreements between nations to provide aid and protect each other.
Alliances are intended to deter aggression by creating a network of mutual support.
Define nationalism.
A strong belief and pride in the rights and interests of your country.
Nationalism can lead to unity within a nation but may also cause conflicts with other nations.
What is imperialism?
The policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries.
Imperialism often involves colonization and the exploitation of resources.
What significant event triggered the Great War?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
This event escalated existing tensions among the great powers of Europe.
List the Great Powers of Europe in 1900.
- Britain
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Austria-Hungary
- Russia
These nations were involved in various rivalries and conflicts during this period.
What was the state of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century?
The Ottoman Empire was in decline, resulting in increasing instability in the Balkans.
This decline contributed to the rise of nationalism among Balkan states.
What did the competition for colonies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries involve?
- Land and Empires
- Navies and Armies
- Power and Influence
Major European powers competed aggressively for resources and strategic advantages.
How did Prussia contribute to German unification?
Prussia, under King William I and Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, pushed for German unification and used the Franco-Prussian War as a tool for this purpose.
The war united the German states against a common enemy, France.
What resources were sought after by empires during the imperialist era?
- Raw materials (Gold, Coal, Tea, Sugar, etc.)
- Cheap labor and soldiers
- Taxes
These resources were crucial for economic growth and military strength.
What was the significance of nationalism for Germany in 1871?
Strong nationalistic beliefs helped Germany band together as a nation.
Nationalism played a key role in promoting unity among the German states.
Who were the Slavs and what was their situation in the Balkans?
The Slavs were an ethnic group in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina who sought independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Their desire for autonomy contributed to tensions in the region.
What was the purpose of alliances prior to World War I?
To prevent conflict due to the threat that aggression would involve multiple nations.
Alliances created a complex web of obligations among nations.
What were the two main alliance groups by 1914?
- The Triple Alliance
- The Triple Entente
These alliances were formed to balance power among the great nations of Europe.
What is an arms race?
A competition among nations to expand their military capabilities as a show of force.
The arms race intensified tensions leading up to World War I.
Who was Franz Ferdinand and what happened to him?
Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire who was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914.
His assassination was a catalyst for the outbreak of World War I.
Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
Gavrilo Princip, a member of a nationalist group called the Black Hand.
The assassination was driven by nationalist sentiments among Slavs in the Balkans.
