ALMA MAE F.

CALIVO
BSED 2A

ASIAN STUDIES
(FINAL EXAMINATION)

PART I

1. What led to the outbreak of World War I? Explain its remote and immediate
causes?
In June 1914, as they rode through the streets of Sarajevo, Bosnia, Austro-
Hungarian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife were slain by Serbian nationalists.
This occurrence was troubling, but it did not immediately lead to violence. It did,
however, spark conflicts across Europe and increase the battle preparedness of several
armies placed on notice. These deeply embedded conflicts were relics of the preceding
century's political and economic wars that raged across Europe. The assassination was
only a spark for international tensions. In August, the Austro-Hungarian Empire
declared war on Serbia. Russia, as the guardian of Greek Orthodox Christians, worried
that Austria might acquire Serbia and wished to settle the dispute at the Hague Tribunal
(a court of arbitration), but Austria refused. Germany backed Austria because the two
countries were allies. On July 28, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia, prompting
Russia, Serbia's ally, to mobilize. Germany issued an ultimatum to Russia to halt its
mobilization or face German action. Russia refused, and Germany declared war on
Russia on August 1. On August 3, Germany declared war on France, invading
Luxembourg and Belgium as well.

2. How did World War I turn to Japan's advantage?

Japan gains advantages through participating in the war, assisting her allies,
providing armies, and sending vessels, among other things. Japan used China's request
to withdraw its troops from Chinese land outside of the former German leasehold. China
was accused of ill faith on January 18, 1915. Japan handed forth the famous 21
requests to President Yuan Shik-kai, with the goal of bringing the vast province under
Japanese control. The requests were divided into five groups or categories. Japan has
encouraged China to keep the demands confidential. The Chinese, on the other hand,
released the demands, causing widespread outrage among the public as well as the rest
of the world. However, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia would not be in a
position to provoke the Japanese. Only the United States objected, declaring that she
would not accept any deal between Japan and China that would threaten her treaty
rights in China, Chinese independence, or open-door policy. As a result, Japan revised
her original requests and submitted the updated list to China as an ultimatum. Because
it was unable to combat Japan, China was forced to give up to the demands on May 25,
1915.
3. Why did China try to stay neutral in the early years of World War I?

Pressure from neighboring countries caused China's declaration of neutrality in

the First World War in February 1917. Following the German declaration of unlimited
submarine warfare on 1 February 1917, the United States pressed other neutral states,
including China, to follow suit by cutting ties with the German Reich. Although Japan
had previously opposed such a move, it changed its mind, partly as a result of English
influence and partly as a result of assurances from several ally nations that it would be
allowed to preserve its privileges in northern China after the war.

4. Cite some factors that led to the end of World War I.

• The Armistice. On September 29, 1918, Bulgaria became the first Central
Powers country to sign an armistice, in Salonki. The Ottoman Empire signed the
Mudros Armistice on October 30. By the end of October, Budapest, Prague, and
Zagreb had proclaimed declarations of independence. As two different entities,
Austria and Hungary signed armistices in November. Finally, an armistice with
Germany was reached on November 11, 1918. The fighting ended at 11:00 a.m.,
"on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918," as it
was written.

• The Treaty of Versailles. Difficult diplomatic negotiations characterized the end

of World War I. Finally, on June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed,
defining Germany's current and future existence. Germany was forced to admit
territory losses and pay substantial war reparations. Germany was finally obliged
to accept full responsibility for the war. The Central Powers were required to
assume responsibility for "all loss and destruction suffered by the Allied and
Associated Governments and their nationals as a result of the war imposed on
them by their aggression."