Imperialism, Nationalism & the Road to WWI (1880-1914)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, events, alliances, crises, and concepts that shaped European politics and rivalries leading up to the First World War (1880-1914).

Imperialism

Policy of extending a nation’s authority by acquiring colonies for raw materials, markets, and prestige; intensified 1880-1914, especially in Africa and Asia.

“Scramble for Africa”

Late-19th-century rush by European powers to claim African territories; by 1914 roughly 90 % of the continent was under European control.

New Imperialism

Phase (c. 1880-1914) marked by rapid colonial expansion, strategic rivalries, and the belief that empire signified great-power status.

Weltpolitik

Germany’s aggressive ‘world policy’ (1897-1914) under Kaiser Wilhelm II aimed at global influence through colonies and a powerful navy. The kaiser dismissed the stance of satiation proposed by Bismarck (the first chancellor of germany) after the unification in 1871.

“Place in the sun”

Kaiser Wilhelm II’s phrase expressing Germany’s desire for equal imperial status with Britain and France.

Nationalism

Intense loyalty to one’s nation or ethnic group; fueled desires for self-determination in the Balkans and pride in established powers.

Pan-Slavism

• Movement championed by Russia advocating political and cultural unity of Slavic peoples, especially in the Balkans.

• With russia in support of serbia due to slavic ethnic ties.

Balkanization

Breaking apart of multi-ethnic regions into smaller hostile states; fear of this haunted Austria-Hungary. 

Dual Alliance (1879)

Defensive treaty between Germany and Austria-Hungary pledging mutual support against Russia.

Triple Alliance (1882)

Alliance uniting Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy; members promised support if attacked by two or more powers.

Reinsurance Treaty (1887)

Secret pact in which Germany and Russia guaranteed neutrality if either was attacked, later allowed to lapse in 1890.

Bulgarian Crisis (1885-88)

Conflict over Bulgarian unification that shattered the League of Three Emperors and pushed Russia toward France.

Entente Cordiale (1904)

Anglo-French colonial agreement ending Britain’s ‘splendid isolation’ and laying groundwork for closer military ties.

First Moroccan Crisis (1905-06)

Kaiser’s challenge to French influence in Morocco; Algeciras Conference largely upheld French position and tightened Anglo-French links.

Algeciras Conference (1906)

International meeting that confirmed Moroccan independence but recognized France’s special rights; diplomatic defeat for Germany.

Second Moroccan (Agadir) Crisis (1911)

German gunboat ‘Panther’ sent to Agadir to force concessions; Britain backed France, and Germany retreated in humiliation.

“Splendid Isolation”

19th-century British policy of avoiding permanent alliances, abandoned after threats revealed by German naval race.

Triple Entente

Informal understanding (Britain, France, Russia) formed by 1907 that counterbalanced the Triple Alliance.

Black Hand

Serbian secret society (1911) dedicated to uniting South Slavs; responsible for Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination. (gavrilo princip)

Annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (1908)

Austria-Hungary’s formal incorporation of the provinces angering Serbia and Russia (Slavs) and sparked a major European crisis.

Bosnian crisis (1908)

heighteneed tensions pre-ww1 after the annexation of bosnia-herzengovina between austria hungary and serbia.

(bosnia and herzengovina was a territory wanted by empires like serbia and the ottoman empire)

The annexation violated terms of the treaty of berlin wherein A-H was to remain under the soveriegn of the ottoman empire and only had the rights to occupy and administer provinces. 

• rising balkan nationalism 

• deeper entrenchment in alliances (russo-serbian, AH-german)

• Breaking relations and building enemies with russia and serbia

Balkan Wars (1912-13) - SHORT TERM CAUSE

Conflict in which Balkan League expelled the Ottomans from most European territory;

Great Powers imposed the Treaty of London.

Bulgaria’s attack on former allies over spoils; Bulgaria defeated, Serbia strengthened, tensions with Austria deepened. (with russia as well due to Russo-Serb relations)

Scramble for africa - SHORT TERM CAUSE

By the 1900's Britain and France had vast overseas empires while 90% of Africa had been colonised, with no self-determination for the colonised. This was known as the 'Scramble for Africa'. 

Militarism

Glorification of armed strength, heavy military spending, and deference to generals were rampant in pre-1914 Europe. It emphasized military values and the need for military preparedness, influencing political and diplomatic relations.

• 1900–1913: european powers compete for colonies and arms.

  • 1900: germany passes second naval law → britain threatened.

  • 1905 & 1911: moroccan crises — france and germany clash over north africa and especially the colonisation of morocco

  • 1908: austria-hungary annexes bosnia → angers serbia & russia.

  • 1912–13: balkan wars increase nationalism and instability.

Conscription

Compulsory enlistment for military service; standard in continental Europe, enabling massive mobilizations. Introduced to europe in 1871.

Implemented by the Russian Empire, German Empire and Austrian Empire.

Schlieffen Plan (1905-1914)

The German war strategy to defeat France quickly via Belgium before turning on Russia; relied on rapid mobilization. Also made an assumption regarding the military capabilities/strength (3/5 ratio) of Frence since Germany believed it would require time for mobilization. Destroyed Belgian neutrality and further increased tensions with Britain, for it had been the guarantor of Belgian neutrality.

Alliance Systems

Network of defensive treaties (Dual Alliance, Triple Alliance, Triple Entente) that turned regional disputes into potential world war through tying nationalism and imperialism with a web of commitments and secretive negotiations amongst nations.

Splendid Isolation’s End

Shift in British isolationist policy following German naval threat that convinced London to seek allies.

“Satiated” Power

Bismarck’s claim that Germany, after unification, sought no more territory—a position abandoned under Wilhelm II,

Followed an expansionist policy that sought after creating a reputation in Germany’s military aptitude and territorial strength

Naval Arms Race

Competitive construction of battleships between Britain and Germany (1898-1914) epitomized by the dreadnought class.

Brought around nationalistic sentiments

Dreadnought Fever (Anglo-German rivalry) - LONG TERM CAUSES

Public and political excitement in Britain (1908-10) demanding more battleships to outbuild the German fleet. Creation of the HMS dreadnought that rendered old fleets obsolete.

anglo-german rivalry

The 19th-century British policy of avoiding permanent alliances is abandoned after threats revealed by the German naval race and the realisation that alliances were required for a strong empire. Germany's expansionist policy under Kaiser Wilhelm led to the expansion of its navy in rivalry to that of Britain's, who, feeling threatened, created the HMS Dreadnought (1906) as part of the Naval Arms Race (1898-1914) that rendered older fleets obsolete, spurring intensified naval competition.

The need to plan for war (miltarism) - STOCKPILING

By the late 1870’s, imperialistic nations began spending more on military sectors and began talks of potential conflict in the Balkans.

The growth and importance given to artillery production and armies (conscription in Britain was introduced in 1916 while the late 1860’s for Austria-Hungary was a period of militaristic realisation) also increased the feeling that war was likely to happen sooner or later.

Thus, countries began developing detailed plans/war strategies in the case of escalating conflict, even mobilising, like in the case of the Russo-German Ultimatum in July of 1914.

Germany’s Otto Von Schlieffen formed the Schlieffen plan carried out in to further its expansionist endeavours (weltpolitik) by planning to attack and defeat france and russia while know the two states were strong allies. Germany also conducted the operation in 1914 in such a way as to anger britain by disobeying Belgian Neutrality as Britain was the guarantor of said neutrality.