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.

Jingoism

Extreme patriotism that glorifies military force and overseas expansion; popular in Britain and other powers during the imperial age.

Weltpolitik

Germany’s aggressive ‘world policy’ (1897-1914) under Kaiser Wilhelm II aimed at global influence through colonies and a powerful navy.

“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.

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.

Treaty of Berlin (1878)

Congress settlement revising Russian gains after the Russo-Turkish War; split Bulgaria and placed Bosnia-Herzegovina under Austrian administration.

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.

Annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (1908)

Austria-Hungary’s formal incorporation of the provinces, angering Serbia and Russia and sparking a major European crisis.

Balkan League

Alliance of Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro that attacked the Ottoman Empire in the First Balkan War (1912).

First Balkan War (1912)

Conflict in which Balkan League expelled the Ottomans from most European territory; Great Powers imposed Treaty of London.

Second Balkan War (1913)

Bulgaria’s attack on former allies over spoils; Bulgaria defeated, Serbia strengthened, tensions with Austria deepened.

“Sick man of Europe”

Nickname for the declining Ottoman Empire whose weakening control caused power struggles, especially in the Balkans.

Eastern Question

Diplomatic issue concerning the fate of Ottoman territories as the empire decayed.

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.

Conscription

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

Schlieffen Plan (1905)

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.

Naval Arms Race

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

HMS Dreadnought (1906)

Revolutionary British battleship that rendered older fleets obsolete, spurring intensified naval competition.

Alliance System

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

“Blank Cheque”

Germany’s unconditional pledge (July 1914) to support Austria-Hungary against Serbia, emboldening a hardline stance.

Splendid Isolation’s End

Shift in British policy after Boer War, German industry, and naval threat convinced London to seek allies.

Gunboat Diplomacy

Use or threat of naval force to achieve foreign policy aims, exemplified by Germany’s Panther at Agadir (1911).

“Satiated” Power

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

Dreadnought Fever (Anglo-German rivalry)

Public and political excitement in Britain (1908-10) demanding more battleships to outbuild the German fleet.