CAUSES OF THE GREAT WAR
Longterm causes:
1. The alliance system or 'armed camps'
“The alliances created an excessively rigid diplomatic framework, within which relatively small detonators could produce huge explosions” (A.J.P. Taylor)
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2. Arms race (militarism) and naval race (dreadnoughts).
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3. Defence strategies (mobilisation a key element after the German unification).
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4. Nationalism (+social darwinism) and Imperialism
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5. PROTECTIONISM
• Trade barriers
• Part of Imperialism
• Protection of home market
• Colonies needed to get raw material+surplus markets
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6. BALKAN ­ the powder keg of Europe
The old and growing friction between Austria and Serbia. Austria threatened by Serbian nationalism an the dream of a Great Serbia.
The Austrian government divided between 'hawks' and 'doves' The hawks aimed at wiping out Serbia. A reason to attack needed.
Germany's back up of Austria vs. Russia's back up of Serbia
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7. Domestic problems
The political systems of the World Powers varied widely. The totalitarian rule of Russia, Austria and Germany ­ the governmental politics in the hands of only a few persons.
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Wilhelm II
• Emperor as 29
• Abandoned Bismarck's golden rules
• Wanted to rule
• Believed in a totalitarian rule
• Hectic, shallow, suspicious
• Admired Britain, wanted to force Britain in to an alliance
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ESSAYQUESTIONS ON THE FIRST (GREAT) WORLD WAR
1. Why did the First World War last so long?
2. Why were the Central Powers defeated in the First World War?
3. How far would you support the view that "amongst the causes of the First World War, which was essentially a European War, colonial issues were of little importance"?
4. How valid is it to claim that Europe "stumbled into" a world war in 1914?
5. "The new Europe" What would you regard as the essential differences between the Europe after 1918 from that of the years before 1914?
6. Describe the economic consequences of the First World War on European countries and the United States.
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7. Choose TWO battles or campaigns from the First World War, and show how they affected the subsequent course and eventual outcome of the war.
8. "Wars settle nothing." Examine the validity of this claim with reference to the First World War.
9. How far do you agree that the reasons used to justfy going to war are often modified during the course of war The First World War)?
10. "Europe was not ready for war in 1914 and was shocked when it broke out." Discuss.
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11. To what extend did the First World War modify the financial relations between the U.S.A and Europe?
12. "Every country lost the 1914­1918 war". Discuss.
13. The war at sea in 1914­1918.
14. Give an account of the main features of one important battle which took place during the First World War, and discuss its strategic consequenses.
15. What is meant by "total war" and how did it make World War I different from previous wars?
16. Wars are basically exercises in military power for the achievement of nationalistic goals. How reasonable is this statement as a summary of the causes of the First World War?
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