Year 9 Revision Flashcards
(16 cards)
Q: What was the political situation in Europe before WWI?
Europe was dominated by major powers: Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Italy.
These powers formed rival alliances: Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia).
Imperialism created tension due to competition for overseas colonies.
Nationalism caused unrest in multi-ethnic empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.
The “Arms Race” and naval rivalry, particularly between Britain and Germany, increased hostility.
Q: Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II and what role did he play in increasing tensions before WWI?
German Emperor from 1888 to 1918.
Ambitious, nationalistic, and keen on building Germany’s empire (“Weltpolitik”).
Dismissed Chancellor Bismarck and took a more aggressive foreign policy.
Increased military spending, especially on the navy, challenging Britain’s naval dominance.
His diplomacy was erratic – for example, supporting Austria-Hungary but alienating Russia and Britain.
Q: What were the main long-term causes of WWI?
Militarism: Growing belief in war as a solution; nations increased arms production.
Alliances: Created a system where conflict between two countries could involve all major powers.
Imperialism: Scramble for colonies increased rivalry, especially between Germany and Britain/France.
Nationalism: Encouraged ethnic groups to seek independence and made countries more aggressive.
Q: What was the trigger event for WWI?
On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne) was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist.
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and declared war.
Due to alliances, the conflict escalated into a full-scale war by early August 1914.
Q: Why was the Balkans region a hotspot for conflict?
Known as the “Powder Keg of Europe” due to nationalist tension.
Area included Serbs, Bosnians, Croats, and others under foreign rule (Austria-Hungary or Ottoman Empire).
Serbia wanted to unite all Slavs – opposed by Austria-Hungary.
Russia supported Serbia as a fellow Slavic nation.
Annexation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary in 1908 angered Serbia.
Balkan Wars (1912–13) increased instability and rivalry.
Q: How did WWI begin after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?
Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia; Serbia accepted most but not all terms.
Austria declared war on Serbia (28 July 1914).
Russia mobilised to support Serbia.
Germany declared war on Russia (1 Aug) and then France (3 Aug).
Germany invaded Belgium (Schlieffen Plan), bringing Britain into the war (4 Aug 1914).
Q: What were the features of trench warfare?
Trenches were dug from the North Sea to Switzerland on the Western Front.
Included front line, support, reserve, and communication trenches.
Life in trenches was harsh: mud, rats, lice, trench foot, shell shock.
‘No Man’s Land’ between trenches was extremely dangerous.
Led to a stalemate – few territorial gains for years.
Q: What new technologies were used in WWI?
Machine Guns: High fire rate; made charging across No Man’s Land deadly.
Artillery: Huge guns like ‘Big Bertha’ caused mass destruction and shell shock.
Poison Gas: First used by Germans in 1915 (chlorine, mustard gas); caused panic and death.
Tanks: First used in 1916; helped cross trenches but initially unreliable.
Planes: Used for reconnaissance, later dogfights and bombing.
Submarines (U-boats): Used mainly by Germany to sink enemy ships.
Q: What led to the end of WWI?
US entered the war in 1917 after unrestricted U-boat warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram.
German Spring Offensive (1918) failed.
Allies launched a successful counter-attack (Hundred Days Offensive).
Germany signed an armistice on 11 November 1918.
Q: What were the key terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1919)?
Blame: Article 231 – Germany accepted full responsibility.
Reparations: £6.6 billion paid by Germany.
Army: Limited to 100,000 men, no tanks or air force.
Territory: Lost Alsace-Lorraine to France, land to Poland (including the Polish Corridor), colonies taken.
League of Nations: Set up to prevent future wars (Germany not initially allowed to join).
Q: How did the Germans react to the Treaty?
Called it the “Diktat” – a dictated peace.
Felt the war guilt clause was unfair.
Reparations were economically crippling.
Many Germans believed they hadn’t truly lost the war militarily.
When did the assassination of Franz Ferdinand take place?
28th June 1914
When was the Armistice signed, marking the end of world war 1, now known as remembrance day?
11th November 1918
When was the ‘Treaty of Versailles’ signed?
28th June 1919
What happened between the years 1939 - 1945?
Second World War
When did women over the age of 21 get to vote?
1928
