Worksheet from RJ Tarr at / 1

Worksheet from RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 1

Causes of World War One: Summary Sheet

Name Theme Key Quote Narrative Analysis

▪ 1878 Treaty of Berlin : Serbia made independent, ▪ Both Austro-Hungary and Serbia were backed up Bosnia placed under Austrian administration. by a world power: Germany on the one hand, • 1914 Assassination Austria = uses imperialism (“Kultur”) as justification Russia on the other. • 1878 Treaty of for rule; Serbia = uses Nationalism (“Pan-Slavism”) ▪ A war between Austro-Hungary and Serbia would Berlin Austria v. Nationalism v. ▪ 1908: Austria annexed Bosnia. Serbia feels likely draw in Germany and Russia. • 1908 Bosnian Serbia Imperialism threatened, by Russia too weak after Russo- ▪ Russia's alliance with France meant that Crisis Japanese war to back her up. Germany had to anticipate a "War on Two Fronts" • 1912-13 Balkan ▪ 1913: Second Balkan War. Serbia doubled in so she formed the Schlieffen Plan, which meant Wars size. Austria feels threatened, but has no pretext to invasion of France via Belgium which in turn declare war. involved Britain. ▪ 1871: Franco Prussian War : Germany formed ▪ The Triple Alliance: “Dreikaiserbund” with Austria and Russia to defend Too binding. This military agreement gave birth to herself against “Revanchist” claims of France to the Blank Cheque” and the “Schlieffen Plan” which Alsace-Lorraine was disastrous since they which relied upon • Bismarck > Franco- ▪ 1878: Treaty of Berlin creates tension between declaring war as a first, rather than a last resort, Prussian War Austria and Russia over Balkans; Dreikaiserbund against both countries. • Alsace-Lorraine starts to collapse; Dual Alliance between Germany Germany v. • Dreikaiserbund Alliance System and Austria. Italy joins 1881 = Triple Alliance ▪ The Triple Entente: Russia • Triple Entente / ▪ 1890: The “New Course” - Germany decides her Too loose. The fact that this was an Entente, not a Triple Alliance future lies with Austria; makes overtures to Britain, binding military alliance, meant that Britain’s • War on Two Fronts snubs Russia position remained unclear throughout the July > Schlieffen Plan ▪ 1894: Franco-Russian Entente Crisis; had Grey made Britain’s position clearer, ▪ 1904: Entente Cordiale Germany may well have backed down. ▪ 1907: Anglo-Russian Entente = Triple Entente • "Place in the Sun" ▪ 1901: “Place in the Sun” speech – Kaiser ▪ These crises created tension between Germany Speech announces Germany wants an Empire on the one hand, and France and Britain on the • Anglo-French = ▪ 1904: Entente Cordiale – Britain agrees to other. Germany v. Spheres of Influence recognise French claims in Morocco ; France ▪ This meant that it was all the more likely that the Colonial Rivalry France • Morocco 1905 / recognises British claims in Egypt alliance system would create a domino effect if a Algeciras ▪ 1905: 1st Morroccan Crisis – Britain stands by war broke out in the Balkans: Germany would have Conference France against Germany at the Algeciras no hesitation attacking France, and Britain would • Morroco 1911 / Conference have little hesitation in retaliating against Germany. Worksheet from RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 2

Mansion House ▪ 1911: 2nd Morroccan Crisis – Britain stands by Speech France against Germany in the Mansion House Speech ▪ 1896 : Kruger Telegram : Kaiser congratulates ▪ The naval race created massive Anglo-German Boers on defeating the British tension. • Kruger Telegram ▪ 1898, 1900: German Naval Laws via Admiral ▪ It was both a cause and a consequence of British • Berlin-Baghdad Tirpitz refusal to support Germany during the Morroccan Railway ▪ 1906: Dreadnought makes other battleships Crises (=symbiotic relationship). Germany v. • Dreadnought Arms race obsolete ▪ It drove Britain into the arms of France and Britain • Peers v. People ▪ 1908: Daily Telegraph Interview – Wilhelm calls hardened the alliance system. • Daily Telegraph the British “Mad as March Hares” Interview ▪ 1911: Constitutional Crisis: A special “People’s • Admiral Tirpitz Budget” to fund the naval race creates massive tensions between the Houses of Commons/Lords. ▪ 28/06/1914: Assassination of Franz Ferdinand ▪ The “Blank Cheque”, Russia’s early mobilisation (=Austria) by Black Hand Gang member Princip and the “Schlieffen Plan” closed off diplomatic • Colonel Apis (=Serbia). routes incredibly clearly. • Blank Cheque ▪ Serbia rejected the Austrian ultimatum; Austria • Ultimatum declares war after Germany gives Austria a “Blank General July Crisis • Willy-Nicky Cheque”. Telegrams ▪ Willy-Nicky telegrams: Kaiser and Tsar try to • Schlieffen Plan > avert the crisis but dialogue breaks down when AJP Taylor Russia mobilises and Germany has to activate the Schlieffen Plan.