Download The Bismarckian System 1871 – 1890

ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
The Bismarckian System 1871 – 1890
1. What was the Bismarckian System?
2. Who was Prince Otto von Bismarck?
3. When was the Franco-Prussian war?
4. Explain the League of the Three Emperors?
5. What is the German term used to describe this treaty?
6. How did the Dreikaiserbund collapse?
7. What did Bismarck replace the Dreikaiserbund with?
8. What was the Dual Alliance?
9. What did this evolve into?
10. What was the Reinsurance Treaty?
11. What were the results of the Franco-Prussjan war?
12. How was the Bismarckian System broken down?
13. When was Bismarck removed as Chancellor?
14. Why did Bismarck not get along with Kaiser Wilhelm II?
15. What was Weltpolitik?
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
16. What did Kaiser Wilhelm II fail to do when he gained power?
17. What was Russia’s response to the cancellation of this treaty?
The Eastern Question
18. Which nation was considered the "sick old man of Europe'?
19. What was the 1878 Balkan issue?
20. Which country in the Balkans wished to unite the Slavic peoples?
21. Which country considered itself the champion of the Slavic peoples
Long Term Origins
22. How did Wilhelm II of Germany try to fulfil his dream of Weltpolitik?
23. What was the British reaction to Germanys increased interest in colonial exploits and navy
building?
24..What happened as a result of the German government's increased spending on her
military?
The Alliances
25. What was the Entente Cordiale?
26. What was the motivation behind the Entente Cordiale?
27. Explain the First Moroccan Crisis.
28. What happened as a consequence of this action?
29. What was the German motive behind their action over Morocco?
30. What was the Anglo-Russian Entente?
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
31. As a consequence of the Anglo-Russian entente, what had been created?
32. What was the effect of the Triple Entente?
The Balkan Powder-keg
33. Explain the events in the Balkans in 1908.
34. What was the result of the 1908 Balkan Crisis?
35. What was the effect of this German show of force?
36. What could have happened if the Russians had not backed down?
The Arms Race
37. How was the German Navy expanded?
38. How was rivalry created between Germany and Britain?
39. What was the two power standard?
40.. Why was Britain so reliant on her navies?
41. What was the British Risk Theory?
42. Who was Sir John Fisher?
43. What was the name of the vessel that launched the new class of navy ships?
44. How did Germany feel about the Triple Entente?
45. What was the German reaction to the release of the HMS Dreadnought?
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
46. What was happening in Europe at this time in relation to the militarism?
The Will to Make War
47. How was literature, education and society in general engaged towards war?
The Second Moroccan Crisis
48. Explain the Second Moroccan Crisis.
49. What was the name of the German gun-boat sent to Agadir?
50. How was this situation diffused?
51. What was the German aim behind this incident?
52. What secondary prize did Germany receive for her efforts at Agadir?
53. What were the results of the Second Moroccan Crisis?
War Clouds over the Balkans
54. When was the Balkan League formed?
55. Which states made up the Balkan League?
56. Explain the First Balkan War.
57. What was the Austro-Hungarian attitude towards this action?
58. What was the Treaty of London?
59. What was the cause of the Second Balkan War?
60. Who fought against Bulgaria in this conflict?
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
61. What treaty ended the Second Balkan War?
62. What were the overall results of the Balkan Wars?
Planning for Victory
63. Explain the idea of mobilisation.
64.. What was the Schlieffen Plan?
65. What were the flaws in the Schlieffen Plan?
66. Explain the `Scrap of Paper".
67. Who was Archduke Franz Ferdinade?
68. How was he assassinated?
69. Which Serbian group was responsible for the assassination?
70. When did the assassination take place?
71. What was the Austro-Hungarian reaction to this event?
72. What do Austria-Hungary deliver to Serbia on July 23, 1914?
73. What was Serbia's reaction to this?
74. What was the Austro-Hungarian response to this?
75. What was Germany’s aims in this war?
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
76. What were the Willy-Nicky Telegrams?
77. What was Russia's response to the Austro-Hungarian aggression towards Serbia?
78. What was the German response to the Russian mobilisation?
79. What happened when the ultimatum expired?
80. How did the British react when Belgium was invaded?
81. Describe the Bethmann-Hollweg plan?
What caused the War and who was to blame?
82. How did colonialism and trade rivalry, cause World War I?
83. Give two ways nationalism caused World War I?
84. How did militarism cause World War I?
85. How did alliances cause World War I?
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
1. A series of alliances set up by Prince Otto Von Bismarck, to protect the newly united Germany.
2. The first Chancellor of the German Empire.
3. 1870 - 1871.
4. This was a treaty of friendship between the rulers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. It meant that the
governments of these countries would consult on matters of mutual interest,and would maintain neutrality if one of
the powers was attacked by another power. This was set-up in 1873.
5. The Dreikaiserbund.
6. As a result of Austria-Hungary and Russia quarrelling over the Balkans.
7. The Reinsurance Treaty of 1887. Dual Alliance of 1879.
8. A defensive alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary.
9. The Triple Alliance with Italy in 1882.
10. A formal neutrality treaty between Russia and Germany.
11. France lost Alsace and Lorraine. The German army occupied France until five billion Francs of reparations had
been paid. France nurtured long-term animosity towards Germany.
12. As a result of Kaiser Wilhelm II gaining the German throne and forcing Bismarck to resign.
13. 1890.
14. Wilhelm II wanted to rule in his own right, not be dictated by his Chancellor. Wilhelm II disliked Bismarcks
cautious foreign policy, he wanted Weltpolitik.
15. A world policy to turn Germany into a global power.
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
16. To renew the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia.
17. Russia turned to France for support with the Franco-Russian alliance of 1894. This effectively ended France's
enforced isolation by Bismarck.
18. Turkey - the Ottoman Empire.
19. After the Russian war with the Turks in 1878, the Congress of Berlin (set-up by Bismarck) reviewed the Treaty of
San Stefano) restricting Russian acquisitions in this area and permitting Austria-Hungary to administer the
provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
20. Serbia.
21. Russia.
22. Germany began an aggressive programme of commercial and naval expansion, aiming to seize and then protect
the newly captured German colonies.
23. Britain became worried that she would no longer rule the seas, and so began the naval race.
21. The industries attached to the military, (e.g. boat builders, iron works, etc.) had a great deal of money pumped
into them. This revenue trickled down through German businesses helping to raise its economy to great
prominence.
25. An alliance between Britain and France, created with the agreement that Britain would remove her colonial
interests from Morocco (so France would have free reign) and France would remove her colonial interests from
Egypt (so Britain would have free reign).
26. Britain decided to end her splendid isolation" and ally herself to France to maintain the balance of power.
27. In 1905 the German Kaiser made a public visit to Tangier in Morocco. He made a speech promoting Moroccan
independence from France.
28. The Algeciras Conference was held in Spain to decide this issue. Britain and Italy supported France, causing a
diplomatic defeat for Germany.
29. Their aim was to destroy the Enterite Cordiale between France and Britain, thus isolating her opposition.
30. An alliance between Russia and Britain in which they solved their colonial differences in 1907.
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
31. The Triple Entente between France, Britain, and Russia.
32. It counter balanced the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
33. The Young Turks took control of Turkey in 1908 and had plans to bring the empire up to her past prominence.
Austria-Hungary wanted to get the jump on Turkey, so planned to annex the provinces of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. However they need the support of Russia to achieve this. An agreement was reached between the
countries, where Russia would support the annexation, if Austria-Hungary supported their bid to gain free
access through the Straits at Constantinople. However things do not go as planned. As Russia attempted to gain
approval for the plan with her allies, Austria-Hungary went ahead with the annexation without her.
34. Russia supported the Serbian howl of discontent over the annexation and called for a conference to investigate
it. Germany supported Austria-Hungary and refused to attend the conference, stating that if Russia mobilised
her forces then Germany would be forced to do the same.
35. Russia backed down, but began to rearm at greater speed. The Alliance between Austria-HUnga~Y and
Germany strengthened.
36. Germany would have fought for Austria-Hungary against Russia, who would have brought both France and
Britain into the conflict, escalating it into a full European war between the Triple Alliance, and the Triple Entente
37. Under the Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900.
38. As a consequence of the expanding German navies, Britain’s “two power standard” was violated, thus provoking
her into a naval race with Germany.
39. Britain ensured that her Royal Navy was the largest in the world with a pledge that she would maintain them to
be larger than the navies of any two other nations.
40. Because she had to protect her valuable trade routes and colonies.
41. A belief that the Royal Navy was best kept in port rather than risk damage in battle.
42. The first British Sea Lord who helped launch a series of technological advances on navy vessels.
43. The HMS Dreadnought.
44. That she was surrounded by hostile neighbours.
45. Her fear of encirclement increased, so she intensified her naval building programme with the Naval Laws of
1908 and 1911.
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ORIGINS WW1 1870 - 1915
46. The European powers adopted conscription after 1871, but technological warfare would be the way of the future.
A massive arms and technology race between the opposing powers resulted.
47. Literature inflamed nationalistic attitudes and the pressprepared the mood for war. Children were given a very
patriotic education. Society saw war as the best way of solving a dispute. They greeted war with optimism and
enthusiasm.
48. In 1911 Germany sent a gun~boat to the Moroccan port of Agadir. This came with the demand that Germany be
compensated for French gains in Morocco. Germany stated she would swap her Moroccan interests for the
whole of the French Congo.
49. The Panther.
50. The British Chancellor of the Ex-Chequer, David Lloyd George, made a speech stating that Britain would not let
her allies be bullied and was prepared for war if necessary. In light of this, not so subtle hint, Germany backed
down.
51. Again the German aim was to break the Entente Cordiale by forcing France into a corner and hoping Britain
would not come to her rescue.
52. A strip of land in the French Congo.
53. Germany was humiliated once again and would not back down again. The Anglo-French Entente was proving to
be unbreakable.
54. 1912.
55. Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro.
56. In 1912 the Balkan League attacked Turkey, on the pretext of gaining better conditions for the Macedonian
Christians under Ottoman rule, and drove her out of Europe.
57. They were stunned at this action and considered attacking the League. However this idea was dropped to
prevent a European war and a peace settlement was forced on the league.
58. The settlement between the Balkan League over the Turkish land. It was at this conference that Austria-Hungary
was able to stop Serbia obtaining coastal lands (which would have allowed her to form a na'~y), causing ever
greater animosity between the countries.
59. Bulgaria's decision to attack Serbia for a greater share of territory.
60. The Balkan League and Turkey.
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61. The Treaty of Bucharest.
62. Relations between Austria-Hungary and Serbia had become even worse. Serbs now demanded Slav unity. Serb
terrorist groups conducted anti-Austro-Hungarian activities. Serbia had now doubled in size and become a major
threat to Austria-Hungary. Turkey, now a former power, still wanted a foothold in Europe.
63. This was the process of preparing an army for war and getting the army, with supplies, to the battle field. Speed
was the ssence of mobilisation, because if you reached the battle field before your enemy, you won that battle.
64. This was the German plan for a war on two fronts, with both France and Russia. The plan was to mobilise the
German troops and take France whilst Russia was still mobilising, then double back and take Russia.
65. There was no allowance to go to war with just Russia. Germany actually had to mobilise against France first.
The German army had to move through neutral Belgium to attack France. Once the order was given for the
Germans to mobilise, it was impossible to call them back, as it would wreak havoc on the rail roads.
66. This was the 1839 Treaty of London, ensuring Belgium neutrality. Britain was a signatory to this agreement, and
went to war with Germany because of a `Scrap of Paper".
67. The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.
68. He was inspecting army exercises in Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia), when he was shot, during motorcade, by
Serbian assassins.
69. The Black Hand.
70. June 28, 1914
71. The government was enraged at Serbia and requested if Germany would support her in a war with Serbia. In
response Germany gives her a "blank cheque to go to war.
72. An ultimatum that no self-respecting country could agree to, but which had to be unconditionally signed within 48
hours.
73. She agreed to sign all but one of the demands in the ultimatum.
74. Declared war on Serbia July 28, 1914.
75. To keep it localised to the Balkans, as a "preventive' war.
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76. OnJuly 29, 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia attempted to negotiate and
prevent war. They were, however, unable to achieve this.
77. On July 30, 1914, Russia mobilised her troops to defend Serbia.
78. On July 31, 1914, Germany delivered two ultimatums. The first gave Russia twelve hours to demobilise. The
second gave France eighteen hours to promise neutrality in a Russo-German war.
79. On August 1, 1914, Germany declared war on Russia, and began to mobilise. The same day the French began
to mobilise. The Germans invaded Luxembourg on the 2nd, and Belgium on the 3rd.
80. On August 4, 1914, Britain sent an ultimatum to Berlin to call off the invasion in five hours. At midnight this
expired and Britain declared war on Germany.
81. This was Germany's plan to punish Serbia, hoping the assassination pretext would stop Russia from going to
war. Then Germany could sweet-talk the other nations into a peace agreement.
82. These problems caused friction between the great powers, (Moroccan Crises and Balkan disputes).
83. It inspired Bismarck to take Alsase and Lorraine from France, thus causing animosity. It sparked the Serb dream
of uniting the Slav people (thus causing the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand).
84. The Arms and naval races lead to friction between nations, but this alone could not have caused the war. The
Schlieffen Plan reduced the time for negotiation. Mobilisation reduced the time for negotiation.
85. These increase suspicion and divided nations into opposing factions. They caused other nations to be dragged
into a world war.
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