CAUSES OF WORLD WAR 1

SECTION 1: Background to crises

In January 1871 German Unification took place under the leadership of Bismark and Kaiser William I.

Europe was never the same again.

The policy of Kaiser William II and its consequences

Recap question:

When was the Unification of Germany?

January 1870

February 1870

January 1871
Germany and Russia

Germany had unified in 1871 through the use of clever foreign diplomacy. France had been totally
isolated.

Russia and Germany signed secret treaties - 'reinsurance treaties' - in the 1880s. These ensured
Germany and Russia remained on friendly terms, and that France remained isolated.

The late 1880s

Kaiser William died in 1888. His sucessor, Frederick, died within 3 months. The Kaiser who followed,
William II, clashed with Bismark in two policy areas:

Russia and the Navy

William II saw no need to stay friendly with Russia and wanted to built the Navy up. Bismark resigned
in 1890.

Recap question

Why did Germany's relationship with Russia change?

Germany wasn't important in Europe

Bismark changed his mind about foreign policy

The new Kaiser had different ideas about foreign policy

 The new Kaiser had different ideas about foreign policy
William II, unlike Bismark, saw no need to stay on friendly terms with the Russians. In 1890 the secret
'reinsurance treaty' was not renewed ...
Russia's reaction

As William II did not renew the reinsurance treaty, Russia looked for another partner. France had been
giving Russia large loans since 1888.

It did not take long for Russia and France to come together.

But why was this a problem for Germany?

France was no longer isolated - it was exactly what Bismark had tried to avoid: a Russo-French alliance.
Germany found herself with potential enemies on two fronts.

The Russo-French agreement

From 1893 to 1895 Russia and France negotiated and a treaty of alliance was finally published in 1895.
The Russo-French alliance became known as the Dual Entente. Under the terms, they agreed that:

1. France would support Russia if Russia was attacked by Germany.

2. Russia would support France if France was attacked by Germany.
3. If any member of the Triple Alliance mobilized then both France and Russia would mobilize.

The Dual Entente

The agreement was known as the Dual Entente.
What would be the best summary of the Dual Entente?

A mutual agreement to defend each other

An agreement to fight Germany

A promise to defend the honour of Europe

A mutual agreement to defend each other

Under the Dual Entente Russia and France promised to support each other if either was invaded, as
well as promising to mobilize if any Dual Alliance member mobilized.
 The Alliance System in 1895
In 1895, Europe was divided into two alliances:

The Dual Entente and the Triple Alliance

Europe now had two hostile alliances facing each other.

The European Alliance system in 1895

Section Summary: Europe 1871-1895

> Germany decided to not to sign any treaty with Russia and wanted to build up their navy.

> Russia and France became Allies after Kaiser William II made no attempt to stay on friendly terms.

> By 1895 Europe had two hostile alliances facing each other:
The Triple Alliance and The Dual Entente.
The one great power which belonged to neither side was Britain. This was soon to change. Go on to
SECTION 2

SECTION 2: Why Britain abandoned 'splendid isolation'

Britain prided herself on her policy of 'Splendid Isolation'.

This policy meant that she would only get involved with British Empire matters and didn't wish to tied up
in any continental alliance.

'Splendid Isolation'
Recap question:
What was Splendid Isolation?

Where everyone enjoyed being lonely and being isolated

Britain's policy of only getting involved with her own affairs

Britain's way of remaining important in the world

Britain's policy of only getting involved with her own affairs

Excellent answer - Britain would only busy herself with the affairs of the British Empire and not get tied
up with any continental alliance.
Britain abandons Splendid Isolation

At the turn of the twentieth century, Britain recognised that Splendid Isolation would have to be
abandoned.

There were a number of reasons:

> relations with Germany
> worries about being on the fringes of Europe
> outstanding quarrels
> reactions to the Boer War
> and challenges to Britain's power.

Britain's relations with Germany

Naval Bills passed in Berlin in 1898 and 1900 worried the British. Kaiser William II was building up the
Germany navy. This was a clear challenge to British naval supremacy.

Britain was worried about losing control of the seas.

European Alliances

The European powers were now divided into two hostile alliances, which were both arming rapidly.
Britain was now on the fringes of Europe, worried about being left out.

Britain didn't want to be left out!

Longstanding quarrels and the Boer War

Britain had longstanding quarrels with France and Russia. All of Europe had shown hostility to Britain
during the Boer War. This was a war fought by the British to secure control over South Africa.
Britain wished to sort these quarrels and differences out.
Challenge to Britain's power

Britain's economic power was being challenged by competition from rivals. These were not just
European nations, but also the USA.

Britain wished to preserve her economic strength

Recap questions

Why was Britain's relationship with Germany strained?

Due to the buildup of the German navy

Due to British hatred of Europeans

Due to dire economic conditions

What was Europe divided into in 1900?

One hostile alliance

Two hostile alliances

Four hostile alliances

Why else was Britain worried about the rest of the World?

Worries over the threat of war

Concern over rising prices

Concern over her economic power

Abandoning Splendid Isolation

> In 1900, Britain decided to abandon her policy of Splendid Isolation.

> She was worried about the buildup of the German navy.
> She was concerned about being left out of the European alliances.
> She was worried about threats to her economic power.

Britain abandons Splendid Isolation

Knowledge and Understanding question:
Why did Britain decide to end her policy of 'Splendid Isolation'?

The country as a whole was fed up of being left out of world affairs - she wanted to be
central to the world.
 Worries over German naval buildup, European alliances and economic threats.

Serious concerns about restrictions on foreign travel in mainland Europe.

There were three main steps that eventually led to Britain becoming involved in the European
Alliances:

Britain begins to look for allies

Step 1 - The Anglo-Japanese Alliance [1902]

This was Britain's first step away from isolation. This alliance added security to the British Empire in the
Far East.
Anglo-Japanese Alliance - what did they agree to do?

Each country promised that if one of them was at war with just one country, the other would reamin
neutral. But once there were two countries against Britain or Japan, then the other would fight.

Recap question

When was the Anglo-Japanese Alliance?

1900

1904

1902

The Entente Cordiale

Step 2 - The Entente Cordiale [1904]

In 1904, Britain finally secured a European Alliance when long-standing disuputes with France were
settled. The British King, Edward VII, made an official visit to France, helping to create a friendly
atmosphere.
What did they agree?

The countries agreed that Britain could have freedom to control Egypt and that Britain would help
France to take over control of Morocco.

Both countries were pleased as this agreement would help them build their Empires.
Where is Morocco?

In 1904, France wanted to gain control of the country to build up her Empire. Morocco is a country at
the North-West tip of Africa:
Alliance with Russia

As an alliance had been made with France, it seemed logical from Britain to make an alliance with
France's ally, Russia.

However, there were longstanding quarrels between Britain and Russia. France worked hard to sort
these differences out.

The Triple Entente

With the help of France, the longstanding quarrels between Britain and Russia were forgotten and the
Anglo-Russian Entente was signed in 1907.

With this treaty the Triple Entente was formed against the Triple Alliance.

See a diagram of the European Alliance system

What was Germany's reaction?

Germany claimed that the Triple Entente was evidence of a policy of encirclement towards her.

This means Germany claimed they were being surrounded by enemies. This gave Germany an excuse to
continue building up her armed forces.

Why did Britain realise it was time to abandon splendid isolation?

Britain wanted to end the long standing feud with France and Russia, as well as opposing Germany

German naval buildup, threats to her power and worries about being left out

Britain wanted to avoid invasion by a foreign power.

What was the Britain's first step?

Entente Cordiale

Anglo-Russian alliance
 Anglo-Japanese alliance

What major alliance did Britain make in 1904?

Entente Cordiale

Anglo-Russian alliance

Anglo-German alliance

What was the final step in abandoning splendid isolation?

Anglo-Irish agreement

Anglo-Russian alliance

Anglo-French alliance

Russia, France and Britain were now allied together. What did the alliance become known as?

Triple Alliance

Triple Entente

Triple Three

How did Germany react to the creation of the Triple Entente?

Ignored the entire situation

Saw it as a policy of encirclement

Appealed to the League of Nations

Section Summary: Britain's change in policy

> In 1900, Britain decided to abandon her policy of Splendid Isolation.

> Britain's first step was the Anglo-Japanese alliance in 1902.
> Then an alliance with France in 1904 - the Entente Cordiale.
> The Anglo-Russian alliance of 1907 created the Triple Entente.
> Germany claims a policy of encirclement towards her.

SECTION 3: Crises leading to the Great War

Kaiser William adopted a menacing attitude towards French attempts to take over Morocco. He also
challenged Britain by increasing his naval building programme.
An incident over Morocco nearly led to war in 1905.

The Tangiers Speech

The Tangiers Speech, 1905

The Anglo-French Entente Cordiale was soon tested over Morocco in 1905. Kaiser William made his
infamous Tangiers Speech.

Wishing to frustrate French efforts to take over Morocco, William sailed to Tangiers and made a
menacing speech.
recap question:
Why did the Kaiser make his speech?

He wanted to give aid to Morocco

For propaganda back in Germany

To frustrate the French

What did Kaiser William say?

He supported the independence of Morocco and demanded an international conference to discuss

Morocco's future. Clearly this was provocative to the French.

The French suspected the German leader of trying to break the Entente Cordiale up.
The Algeçiras Conference

The conference to discuss Morocco's future met in Algeçiras in 1906. At the conference Britain fully
supported France - to the disappointment of Germany.

The independence of Morocco was decided, although France won the right to be responsible for
Morocco's internal order.
The first crisis

The Tangiers speech and Algeçiras conference constituted the first crisis leading to the Great War.
Germany was attempting to make a larger role for itself and break up the Anglo-Frence entente.

Germany hadn't made territorial gains, but had succeeded in frustrating France - which was probably
the purpose all along.

This was the first major crisis leading to World War I.

Recap question:
Why was Germany disappointed with the Algeçiras conference?

They hadn't been able to take over Morocco

 Britain had strongly supported France

The independence of Morocco wasn't assured

Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1908

In 1878 Austria won the right to administer this part of the Turkish Empire. In 1908, Austria offically
annexed Bosina and Herzegovina.

Serbia, a 'new' Balkan nation, protested strongly ...

Why did Serbia protest?
Serbia protested because many Serbians lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They didn't want to be
part of Austria, they wanted to be part of an independent Serbia.

Russia backed Serbia's protest to Austria.

Where are Bosnia and Herzegovina?

A diplomatic situation

Germany decided to support Austria - the situation became ominous:

War did not break out though - Russia was not ready for war. Austria came out of the crisis in full
possession of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What did Austria do in 1908?

Won the right to administer Bosnia and Herzegovina

Officially annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina

 Began rearmament ready for war

How did this almost lead to war?

Russia supported Serbian protests against Austria

Germany supported Serbian protests against Austria

Russia supported Austria protests against Germany

The Agadir Crisis, 1911

This was the Moroccan crisis. Following disturbances in the country the Sultan asked the French to
send in troops to 'restore order'.

The French sent an army which occupied Fez. Germany was alarmed at this growth of French power.
Germany's reaction

Germany sent a gunboat, the Panther, and a cruiser, the Berlin, to the port of Agadir. They claimed this
was to protect German interests.

This caused a period of international tension which could have resulted in war.

Recap questions

Why did the French send troops to Morocco?

To build up their foreign colonies

They were asked to by the ruler of Morocco

To get there before Germany did

How did Germany react?

They sent a gunboat and a cruiser to Morocco

They send animals and troops to Morocco

They declared war on France

The international tension that followed

The British supported the French against Germany's 'bullying' tactics. For example Lloyd George made
his Mansion House speech in support of the French.

The French stood their ground. Eventually Germany backed down, but at a price.
What did Germany agree to?

Germany accepted that Morocco would now become a French protectorate, but wanted to receive land
from French Equatorial Africa which could be added to the Germany colony of the Cameroons.

Germany let France 'have' Morocco, but only in return for other French territory in Africa.

The third crisis

The Agadir crisis of 1911 was the third crisis leading to the First World War. Germany again tried to
frustrate French interests in Morocco.

Germany did give in, but only at a price.

Recap question

What did Germany gain by getting involved in the Agadir crisis?

Respect of the international community

Additional territory

More allies across Europe

Two Balkan Wars, 1912 and 1913

These Balkan wars resulted because of the collapse of Turkish power. There was a power vacuum in
the Balkans.

This meant there was a great deal of tension and unrest in the Balkans.
Where are the Balkans?

The results of the Balkan wars

Serbia emerged as the most powerful on the 'new' Balkan states. She was ambitious and hoped
to unite all Serbs to form a 'Greater Serbia'.
 Many Serbs lived in Bosnia Herzegovina, controlled by Austria. Thus there was enormous tension
between the two.
Hostilities between Austria and Serbia
Austria was hostile to Serbia and calculated that war with Serbia would come. Austria therefore
thought it would make sense to fight Serbia before she became much stronger.

Accordingly, Austria looked for an excuse to attack Serbia.

Recap Questions
What did the Balkan wars of 1912 and 1913 result from?

International tension

The alliance system

A power vacuum

Why was Austria hostile to Serbia?

Problems over trade - jealously

Plans for a 'Greater Serbia'

Rivalry in tourism

The fourth crisis

Two Balkan Wars, 1912 and 1913 constituted the fourth crisis leading to the Great War. Serbia
emerged as the most powerful 'new' state and was keen to create a 'Greater Serbia'. Austria was just
as keen to stop them.

The whole Balkan area was at the brink of war

Section Summary: Crises leading to the Great War

Four major crises that put Europe on the edge of war:

> The Tangiers speech, 1905

> Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1908
> The Agadir Crisis, 1911
> The Balkan wars, 1912 and 1913

The outbreak of war

SECTION 4: The outbreak of war
In Sarajevo on 28th June 1914 the heir to the Austrian throne was assassinated by a young Serb, Gavrilo
Princip.

Sarajevo was the capital of the Austrian ruled Bosnia.

This event sparked World War One!

How did the assassination cause war?

The Austrians blaimed the Serbian government for the assassination. Austria intented to make Serbia
pay.

This began a chain of events that saw the outbreak of war.

What date was the assassination?

26th June 1914

28th June 1914

29th June 1914

Who assassinated who?

An Austrian assassinated a Serb

A Serb assassinated a Russian

A Serb assassinated an Austrian

An Austrian assassinated a Russian

July 23rd 1914 - an ultimatum

With the promise of German backing, Austria delivered an ultimatum to Serbia.

If Serbia had accepted the ultimatum it would have meant the virtual end of Serbian independence.
War is declared - July 28th 1914

In spite of a conciliatory reply from Serbia, Austria, keen to crush Serbia once and for all - declared war
on Serbia on July 28th.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdindand gave Austria an opportunity to crush Serbia.

What happened on July 23rd 1914?

Archduke Franz Ferdindand was assassinated

Austria sent Serbia an ultimatum

 Austria declared war on Serbia
Remember the order of events:

28th June Heir to Austrian throne assassinated.

23rd July Austria sends an ultimatum.
28th July Austria declares war on Serbia.

The chain of events

Russia mobilized to suport Serbia. Germany followed suit and told Russia to halt mobilization.

Russia refused and on August 2nd Germany declared war on Russia.

On August 3rd Germany declared war on France and invaded France via Belgium.
Britain gets involved

Britain avoided committing herself to the last moment because puplic opinion in Britain was somewhat
divided.

However the German invasion of Belgium, which was of vital strategic importance, and which broke the
1839 Treaty of London, united British opinion.

On August 4th Britain declared war on Germany.

Why did Britain declare war on Germany?

Due to Germany breaking the Treaty of London

Due to Russia declaring war on Germany

Due to Austria declaring war on Serbia

Section Summary: The outbreak of war

> The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked war.

> Austria declared war on Serbia.
> This began a chain of events where each country declared war.
> Britain declared war on Germany when she invaded Belgium.

Conclusion - why WWI broke out

The assassination at Sarajevo was the event which sparked off a whole series of events which
culminated in WWI's outbreak.
Although Sarajevo provided Austria with an excuse to crush Serbian power, Sarajevo itself is only a
superficial reason for WWI's outbreak.
What was 'behind' Sarajevo?

Behind Sarajeveo lay the much wider issue of Austro-Russian rivalry in the Balkans. Behind that lay the
rivalry between the European powers over colonies, the struggle for markets and raw materials.

Thus, although no statesman in Europe wanted a general war in 1914, as Lloyd George said, the
governments of Europe:
"stumbled and staggered into war".