GCSE History (9-1) Revision Booklet
© J G Slone, 2018
AQA GCSE History
Conflict and Tension,
1894-1918
Revision Book
Contents
The Causes of the First World War Page 2
The First World War: Stalemate Page 10
Ending the War Page 17
1
, Part 1: The Causes of the First World War
Hundreds of books have been written by historians and politicians to try and explain how
total war engulfed the nations of Europe between 1914 and 1918. It was the assassination
of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand which ignited the First World War on 28 June 1914.
However, the true reasoning behind the war is far more complex than this.
One way to remember the key causes of the war is to remember the acronym MAIN:
European countries increased the size of their armed forces
during this time, especially Germany and Britain. New
Militarism deadlier weapons were developed such as poison gas,
aircraft and machine guns.
As tensions increased, countries formed agreements with
Alliances other countries vowing to support one another in the event
of war.
Empires had been a feature of European nations since the
16th century. However, there was a great expansion of
Imperialism European imperialism in the late 19th century in Africa – the
scramble for Africa. Competition to gain the best territories
was high.
Patriotic and nationalist sentiments became increasingly
common in many European countries in the early 20 th
Nationalism century, particularly in Britain and Germany. Many were
eager to prove that they were the greatest country.
The table above provides a useful summary of the key themes, but the details behind these
themes are the key to understanding why war broke out in 1914.
The Alliance System
Film: https://youtu.be/UAeMeuuspmk A short, but very useful clip, providing an
overview of the alliances which developed prior to 1914.
Two alliances had formed in Europe by 1914:
Key
The Triple Alliance (Central
powers)
The Triple Entente
2
, The Triple Alliance (Central Powers) The Triple Entente
Formed: 1882 Formed: 1907
Germany Britain
o Only became a unified nation following o Since Britain’s victory in the Napoleonic
the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. Fearful wars of the early 19th century, Britain
of a future French attack, Germany had adopted a policy of splendid
formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary. isolation. Britain did not get involved in
o Germany’s ruler from 1890, Kaiser Europe. In the early 19th century, France
Wilhelm II, vowed to make Germany a and Russia were seen as their main
world power to rival Britain and France. rivals. However, by the late 19th century
A new navy was created (see Anglo- things were changing.
German Rivalry), and the Kaiser sought o The Entente Cordiale was signed
ways to expand Germany’s colonial between Britain and France in 1904. The
possessions in Africa, where they had main aim of this was to settle disputes
two colonies. between their North African colonies,
o France’s formation of an alliance with but it served as a declaration of peace
Russia in 1892 and their increasingly between the two former enemies.
close relations in the later 19th century o Russia was seen as less of a threat after
worried Germany. They feared their defeat by Japan in 1905. The Anglo-
encirclement – surrounded on both sides Russian Entente was signed between
by enemy nations. Britain and Russia in 1907.
Austria-Hungary o Ultimately, Britain saw the growing
o The central European empire of Austria- power of Germany as a serious threat to
Hungary contained a complex mix of itself and their empire.
different ethnicities such as Germans, o IMPORTANT: Neither of Britain’s
Serbs, Czechs and Slovaks. agreements committed them to military
Unsurprisingly, many of these groups action. But it would have seemed very
sought independence. Keeping the unlikely for Britain not to support its
empire together was an increasingly allies.
difficult task. France
o Serbia, just over the border from Austria- o Defeated by Germany in 1870,
Hungary, became more powerful during concerned ever since then of a future
this time following the Balkan Wars (see conflict.
pre-war crises). This increased tensions. o Signed a military alliance with Russia in
o Furthermore, Serbia was supported by a 1892 which aimed to protect one
powerful ally – Russia. another against Germany.
Italy o Desired the return of Alsace-Lorraine,
o Much like Germany, Italy had only been which had been taken by Germany in
unified in 1871. 1870.
o However, unlike Germany, it was not Russia
militarily or industrially strong. o A vast country with a very primitive
o They were very much the minor partner. industry, with most of the economy
based on agriculture.
o Felt most threatened by Austria-
Hungary, although increasingly
concerned by Germany as well.
o It is worth noting that Russia suffered a
series of internal problems resulting in
revolution in 1905. Whilst their ruler,
Tsar Nicholas II, survived the problems
persisted.
3
© J G Slone, 2018
AQA GCSE History
Conflict and Tension,
1894-1918
Revision Book
Contents
The Causes of the First World War Page 2
The First World War: Stalemate Page 10
Ending the War Page 17
1
, Part 1: The Causes of the First World War
Hundreds of books have been written by historians and politicians to try and explain how
total war engulfed the nations of Europe between 1914 and 1918. It was the assassination
of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand which ignited the First World War on 28 June 1914.
However, the true reasoning behind the war is far more complex than this.
One way to remember the key causes of the war is to remember the acronym MAIN:
European countries increased the size of their armed forces
during this time, especially Germany and Britain. New
Militarism deadlier weapons were developed such as poison gas,
aircraft and machine guns.
As tensions increased, countries formed agreements with
Alliances other countries vowing to support one another in the event
of war.
Empires had been a feature of European nations since the
16th century. However, there was a great expansion of
Imperialism European imperialism in the late 19th century in Africa – the
scramble for Africa. Competition to gain the best territories
was high.
Patriotic and nationalist sentiments became increasingly
common in many European countries in the early 20 th
Nationalism century, particularly in Britain and Germany. Many were
eager to prove that they were the greatest country.
The table above provides a useful summary of the key themes, but the details behind these
themes are the key to understanding why war broke out in 1914.
The Alliance System
Film: https://youtu.be/UAeMeuuspmk A short, but very useful clip, providing an
overview of the alliances which developed prior to 1914.
Two alliances had formed in Europe by 1914:
Key
The Triple Alliance (Central
powers)
The Triple Entente
2
, The Triple Alliance (Central Powers) The Triple Entente
Formed: 1882 Formed: 1907
Germany Britain
o Only became a unified nation following o Since Britain’s victory in the Napoleonic
the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. Fearful wars of the early 19th century, Britain
of a future French attack, Germany had adopted a policy of splendid
formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary. isolation. Britain did not get involved in
o Germany’s ruler from 1890, Kaiser Europe. In the early 19th century, France
Wilhelm II, vowed to make Germany a and Russia were seen as their main
world power to rival Britain and France. rivals. However, by the late 19th century
A new navy was created (see Anglo- things were changing.
German Rivalry), and the Kaiser sought o The Entente Cordiale was signed
ways to expand Germany’s colonial between Britain and France in 1904. The
possessions in Africa, where they had main aim of this was to settle disputes
two colonies. between their North African colonies,
o France’s formation of an alliance with but it served as a declaration of peace
Russia in 1892 and their increasingly between the two former enemies.
close relations in the later 19th century o Russia was seen as less of a threat after
worried Germany. They feared their defeat by Japan in 1905. The Anglo-
encirclement – surrounded on both sides Russian Entente was signed between
by enemy nations. Britain and Russia in 1907.
Austria-Hungary o Ultimately, Britain saw the growing
o The central European empire of Austria- power of Germany as a serious threat to
Hungary contained a complex mix of itself and their empire.
different ethnicities such as Germans, o IMPORTANT: Neither of Britain’s
Serbs, Czechs and Slovaks. agreements committed them to military
Unsurprisingly, many of these groups action. But it would have seemed very
sought independence. Keeping the unlikely for Britain not to support its
empire together was an increasingly allies.
difficult task. France
o Serbia, just over the border from Austria- o Defeated by Germany in 1870,
Hungary, became more powerful during concerned ever since then of a future
this time following the Balkan Wars (see conflict.
pre-war crises). This increased tensions. o Signed a military alliance with Russia in
o Furthermore, Serbia was supported by a 1892 which aimed to protect one
powerful ally – Russia. another against Germany.
Italy o Desired the return of Alsace-Lorraine,
o Much like Germany, Italy had only been which had been taken by Germany in
unified in 1871. 1870.
o However, unlike Germany, it was not Russia
militarily or industrially strong. o A vast country with a very primitive
o They were very much the minor partner. industry, with most of the economy
based on agriculture.
o Felt most threatened by Austria-
Hungary, although increasingly
concerned by Germany as well.
o It is worth noting that Russia suffered a
series of internal problems resulting in
revolution in 1905. Whilst their ruler,
Tsar Nicholas II, survived the problems
persisted.
3
