Studied by 31 people
Alliances
1871- Germany unification created nervousness in EU
- Alliances brought in a substantial number of countries into the Balkan conflict- increasing scale of war
- Bismark's web of alliance set defensive atmostphere + increased tension
Imperialism/Industrialisation
- Imperialist expansion across many countries led to competition in dominance of colonies (strategic military locations), raw materials
- Ger wanted 'spot in the sun'
- Industrial revolution caused scavenge for raw materials (Africa) because markets were too self sufficient (nationalism)
Nationalism
- Markets too self sufficient led to imperialist competition
- Colonies + empires brought PRIDE (backed by social darwinism)
- Dominant ideology across all countries- also, countries (Serbia) want to expand and want independence- creates tension in Aus-H, around
- War was a demonstration of self determination, of nationalistic pride, and strength (eg Pan Slavism/Ger humiliated Fr with Alsace Lorraine)
Short Term Causes
Moroccan Crisis 1 & 2, British Deadnought Launch, Triple Entente, Bosnian Crisis, Balkan Wars 1 & 2
First Moroccan Crisis 1905
- Ger failed to break up Entente Cordiale (Br + Fr)- this strengthened it and increased separation of blocs + tension
- Ger now seen as a threat to GB + to public, tension + separation increased
Algericas Conference 1906
Purpose was to settle a dispute between France and Germany about the situation in Morocco
It resulted in the Act of Algeciras, opening Moroccan trade to all nations but deepening tensions in Europe.
Germany's attempt to isolate Britain by allying with France and possibly Russia failed due to mistrust among powers and British insight.
Germany gained little, and the conference contributed to the division of Europe before World War I.
British Dreadnought Launch 1906
- Nullified GB's naval advantage- Ger could now catch up
- Triggered a naval scare (08-09) + fear of Ger's fleet expanding, tension rose
- Arms race between Ger and GB, GB's taxes increased- public op caused pressure + increased resentment + separation, tension
Triple Entente 1907
- Triple Entente + Triple Alliance forced superpowers into Archduke's death- when it could have just been between Aus-H and Serbia (Alliances ENHANCED size of war)
- Tension increased + Ger felt encircled
- Alliance system set the sides that would be fighting each other when war broke
Bosnian Crisis 1908
- Balkans became very unstable
- Serbia wanted revenge from Aus annexing Bosnia + Herzegovina
- Russia forced to accept annexations or face war with HUGE power Ger- humiliated + started mass rearmament- TENSION
Second Moroccan Crisis 1911/Agadir Crisis
- Since Algeciras conference 1906 Morocco had been unstable, Fr brought troops to prevent uprisings/rebellions- tension increased + more anger amongst Nationalists
Germany sent ‘Panther’ gunboat to Moroccan port of Agadir to protect Ger interests- resurrected Br fears of Ger hostile navy presence + threat to Gibraltar (British naval base)
- Ger + Fr businesses rivals in Morocco (controlling police...)
- Increased tension + hostility between GB + Ger
- Entente Cordiale strengthened
- Failure of Weltpolitik (France maintained influence) created public op hostility to Ger gov- more pressure
Long Term Causes
MAIN: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism
Militarism
- Countries' value seen in military strength- prove in war
- Arms race began at beginning of 20th century: ongoing tension because of military rivalry
- Germany's fleet rapidly expanded (German Naval Laws), threatened GB's and GB more willing to go to war
- Growing military strength in GB + Ger created strong resources that were READY to be used (lots of money spent), whilst a side has an upper hand- sense of urgency
First Balkan War 1912
when the Balkan League-comprised of Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Montenegro- declared war on the Ottoman Empire
Caused more resentment between Serbia + Aus-H
Combined with 2nd Balkan war settled the question of who would rule “Ottoman Europe”.
Second Balkan War 1913
- Serbia's success encouraged strong nationalist feeling
- Serbia doubled in size + proved themselves militarily- threatens Aus-H
- Serbia's victories were diplomatic successes for Russia + encouraged Russia to stand by their ally- increase tension
- Aus-H convinces it needs to crush Serbia- willing to go to war
- Diplomatic defeat for Ger- Ger drew close to Aus-H + blocs separated further
JULY CRISIS 1914
Archduke is assassinated; sets off chain reaction; start of WW1
- Aus-H declares war with Serbia after Ger issued them a 'blank cheque' (full support)
- A month passes by, eventually Tsar authorises Russian mobilisation
- Once train schedule set- war up to the military generals- NO GOING BACK
What telegram were sent during the July crisis?
Willy-Nicky telegrams (exchanged between distant cousins Kaiser Wilhelm and Tsar Nicholas)
whilst russia mobilised on 30th july, leaders tried to sort things out
kaiser asked tsar to demobilise, tsar didnt
ger declared war on russia
ger had to declare war on france because she was russia’s ally
