This document is a summary of all of "THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR I, " to help revise for the 'Component 2' (CIE History 9389) examination this June. These notes helped me achieve a grade A at iAS level in June 2018.
(European Option: Modern Europe, )
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9...
THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR I, 1900-1914
(European Option: Modern Europe, 1789-1917)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
TIMELINE
• May 1871- Treaty of Frankfurt (France loses Alsace and Lorraine to Germany).
• Oct 1873- 3 Emperors’ League (Austria, Germany + Russia).
• Oct 1879- Dual Alliance formed (Austria + Germany).
• May 1882- Triple Alliance formed (Germany, Austria + Italy).
• Jun 1887- Reinsurance Treaty (Germany + Russia).
• Jun 1888- Wilhelm II becomes Kaiser Germany.
• Jan 1894- Franco-Russian alliance formed.
• Apr 1904- Entente Cordiale created (Britain + France)
• Mar 1905- 1st Moroccan crises begins.
• Aug 1907- Triple Entente established (Britain France Russia).
• Oct 1908- Balkans crisis (Austria annexes Bosnia).
• Jul 1911- 3rd Moroccan Crisis begins.
• Jul 1914- Outbreak WWI.
Summary
June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria) visited Sarajevo in Bosnia (recently province
of Austria). Majority of population were ethnic Serbs which hated Austrian leadership.
Looked to Serbia for leadership. Sarajevo Serb activist hotbed for terrorist + activists (Tense
situation). He + wife killed by Gavrilo Princip.
Assassination triggered series events that led to world war. Killing was final nail into coffin
as political tension build up. Caused two opposing powers to form, Entente and Central
Powers that caused world war.
Development of Alliance System
Europe in 1900
Start of 20th century, Europe dominated by six major powers. (All created alliance for power
+ security).
,2
Austria-Hungary
1867 known as Austria- Hungary. Monarchy. Declining power, defeated by Prussia in
1866.Peace settlement that concluded Austro-Prussian war meant Germany now ally. Had
growing interests in Balkans + Russia rival there.
Britain
Parliament + monarchy with limited power. More interested in overseas empire than
Europe conflicts. Long standing distrust of France. Russia also threat e.g. Suez Canal + route
to India. Russia suspected expand into area near India.
France
Only major Republic power. Lost Franco-Prussian war 1871, economy recovered quickly.
Had to pay large sums money compensation for war to Germany. French gov. threatened by
internal rivalries. Political parties wanted revenge against Germany, socialists no favour war.
France recently signed treaty of friendship with Russia. Distrust Britain + Austria-Hungary.
Germany
Monarchy. Parliament (Reichstag) limited power + opinions influence gov. decisions. Latter
half 19th century Bismarck(chancellor) controlled Germany. Priority = isolate France.
Dismissed 1890 by Wilhelm II (Kaiser), aimed to make Germany leading power. Replaced
with Caprivi. Feared encircled Russia + France. Wanted to consolidate Germany’s position by
stabilising Russia around her. Bismarck tried make France focus on Africa rather than Alsace
+ Lorraine + getting revenge. Knew that France would do anything possible for revenge
defeat in Prussia war. After 1890 less skilfully, operators unable to deal with the alliances
created by Bismarck.
Russia
Nick II (tsar) absolute monarch. Remained friendly relations Germany until Wilhelm II
refused renew treaty with Russia. Russia rival with Austria. H. in Balkans.
Turkey
Ottoman Empire governed by absolute Monarch. In decline by 1900 “sick man of Europe”.
Loosing Balkans. Britain + France assist Turkey avoid A.H + Russia gaining power.
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Who was Wilhelm II?
Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert (27 January 1859 to 4 June 1941) was last German Emperor
(Kaiser) and Prussian king, ruled Kingdom of Prussia (15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918).
Was eldest grandchild of British Queen Victoria and related King George V (UK) and Nicholas
II (Russia). Came to throne (1888), dismissed Otto von Bismarck (Chancellor) in 1890,
launched Germany on “New Course” in foreign affairs and supported Austria-Hungary in
1914 Crisis which led WWI. Often made pronouncement on sensitive topics without
consulting with Minsters. 1908 interview cost him his influence, he was an ineffective war-
time leader that abdicated 1918 and exiled to Netherlands.
Bismarck’s Alliance
Germany large pop. + rapid modernising economy, army that superior to Austria + France.
Germany had Bismarck (clever + ruthless statesman).
In 10 years leading up to German unification, Bismarck changed Euro balance of power. End
of Franco-Prussian war forced France give Alsace + Lorraine to Germany. Said more German
than French whereas not true + high metal industry + agriculture in 1871. Provinces
economically valuable. French hated Germany + influenced foreign policy for years to come.
Bismarck knew French seek revenge for humiliation, tried to isolate France + prevent from
getting allies. Britain not interested in Europe, didn’t like France + Germany. Bismarck two
possible allies: Austria-Hungary + Russia, would leave France weak. Problem Austria. H +
Russia rivals in Balkans.
Three Emperors’ League (1873)
Bismarck negotiated agreement Tsar Alexander II (Russia) + Emperor Franz Joseph I (Austria.
H) + Kaiser Wilhelm I (Germany). Isolate France + hoped that calm down disputes over
Balkans between Austria. H + Russia through regular meetings. League was largely
unsuccessful, mainly disputes between Germany’s 2 allies. 1879 league collapsed. Did not
lead to significant agreements as powers found difficult reach agreement on concrete
objectives.
Dual Alliance (1879)
Bismarck hoped maintain 3 country alliance. Firm agreement with Austria .H better than
risky one worth Russia. Germany + Austria. H agreed to defend if Russia attacked. Defensive
alliance. Pledged remain neutral if attacked by another country e.g. France. Bismarck kept
alliance secret as didn’t want to complete alienate Russia. Bid to maintain French diplomatic
isolation + force Austrian cooperation with Russia. Made harder for Bismarck separate
France + Russia. This would later drag Germany into the Balkan Crises and cause Ww1.
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