Causes of World War I and Pre-War European Politics

Flashcards covering key terms, figures, alliance systems, imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and events of the July Crisis leading to World War I.

What is an arms race as defined in the notes?

A race to have the best weapons and military, such as the naval competition between Germany and Britain.

What are armaments?

Weapons and equipment.

What does military mobilization mean?

Moving the military.

What is a dreadnought?

A heavily armed warship built after 1906.

What occurred at the Congress of Berlin in 1878?

European countries met after the Russo-Turkish War to alter borders and limit Russia's influence in the Balkans; Austria-Hungary was permitted to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina, upsetting Serbian nationalists.

What was the Dual Alliance of 1879?

A landmark formal military alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary in which both agreed to support each other if Russia attacked either country.

What was the Triple Alliance formed in 1882?

An alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy agreeing to mutual support if attacked.

Why did Chancellor Otto von Bismarck sign the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia in 1887?

To keep peace with Russia, keep France isolated, and prevent Germany from having to fight a war on two fronts.

What was the Anglo-French Agreement of 1904?

An agreement made in 1904 where Britain and France settled colonial disagreements and agreed to cooperate, improving relations and moving toward the Triple Entente.

What was the Triple Entente and why was it formed by 1907?

An alliance between Britain, France, and Russia formed out of shared concerns over Germany's growing power, dividing Europe into two major opposing blocs.

Which nations comprised the Central Powers and the Central Allies prior to World War I?

Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy. Central Allies: France, Russia, Britain.

How are imperialism and nationalism defined in the notes?

Imperialism is aggressive competition for additional territories and colonies. Nationalism is loyalty and devotion to a nation or ethnic group that emphasizes promoting its interests, culture, social values, or religion.

What is the difference between direct control and indirect control in imperialism?

Direct control involves the imperial power directly governing a territory and replacing or limiting local government. Indirect control allows local leaders to remain in charge while the imperial power controls key foreign policy and economic decisions.

What are the four types of imperialism described in the transcript?

Colony, Protectorate, Sphere of influence, and Economic imperialism.

What was the "White Man's Burden"?

The belief that Europeans had a responsibility to "civilize" non-European peoples, which imperialists used to justify colonization by claiming to bring education, Christianity, technology, and government.

Why were the Balkans referred to as a "powder keg" prior to World War I?

Because intense tensions and conflicts existed among competing ethnic groups and countries, meaning a single small event could trigger a widespread war.

Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and what groups was he affiliated with?

Gavrilo Princip, who was a member of Young Bosnia and connected to the Serbian nationalist group called the Black Hand.

What was the "Blank Cheque"?

Germany's promise to give Austria-Hungary full support in taking action against Serbia, even if it led to war.

Why was Serbia's response to the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum described as "highly perfumed"?

Because Serbia replied in a very polite and respectful tone, despite rejecting some of Austria-Hungary's demands.

What were the four points of Kaiser Wilhelm II's foreign policy?

Creation of a high seas fleet, increasing spending on armaments, developing a German overseas empire, and developing an aggressive foreign policy on global issues.

What was the Schlieffen Plan and why did it fail?

Germany's plan to quickly defeat France by invading through neutral Belgium before turning to fight Russia. It failed because German forces could not defeat France quickly and Britain entered the war after Belgium's invasion, forcing Germany into a two-front war.

What essential criteria define a superpower according to the notes?

Strong military, strong economy, industrial strength, political stability, large population, colonies and global influence, and intellectual/scientific strength.

Why were steel and coal critical resources leading up to World War I?

Coal powered factories, trains, and ships; steel built railways, bridges, factories, ships, and weapons. Together, they allowed industrial nations to produce military equipment and build larger forces much faster.

Why did Germany have significantly fewer colonies than Britain and France?

Germany unified in 1871, later than Britain and France had established their empires, leaving few desirable territories unassigned by the time Germany competed for colonies.

Why was Britain concerned about Germany's military expansion?

Britain was an island nation with an empire reliant on naval supremacy to secure trade routes and colonies; German warship construction directly threatened British naval dominance.

How did Kaiser Wilhelm II's removal of Bismarck unbalance European political stability?

Wilhelm II's administration failed to renew the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, prompting Russia to align with France and subjecting Germany to the threat of a two-front war.

How did France transition from diplomatic isolation to alliances with Russia, Britain, and Italy?

France allied with Russia in the 1890s following the end of the Reinsurance Treaty, resolved colonial disputes with Britain through the Entente Cordiale in 1904, and built better ties with Italy, which eventually joined the Allies in 1915.

How did the alliance system escalate the local conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary into World War I?

Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia, Russia mobilized to support Serbia, Germany backed Austria-Hungary and declared war on Russia and France, and Germany's invasion of Belgium brought Britain into the war.