History summary the age of the world wars
1.1 The Armed Peace
Key words:
Belle Époque = French: ‘fine period’, period of peace and prosperity in Europe and the USA preceding
the First World War
The Great War= another name for the First World War
Arms race= competition between nations to build the most weapons
Militarism = glorifying the army
Allies = alliance between France, Britain, Russia and the USA during the First World War
Central powers = alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottomans during the First
World War
Two-front war = war in which a country had to fight battles in separate locations at the same general
time
Schlieffen Plan = German strategy to invade France through Belgium and after defeating the French
to send their soldiers to the Eastern Front to fight the Russians
Summary:
The Belle Époque
Around 1900 Europe seemed a time of peace and prosperity, however also of extreme nationalism
and hostility
In the Belle Époque (‘beautiful era’, start of the 20th century) people were optimistic about the
future, prosperity grew, new inventions, the first cars and airplanes and rich people went to parties.
But unrest was growing; world leaders were building up armies and wanted to expend their power.
Nation states and nationalism
European countries became more nationalistic, which united the population in their own country but
also made them feel superior towards other countries
The strongest hatred was between France and Germany, Germany wanted to take revenge for the
Franco-Prussian War in 1870-1871
1. The germans humiliated France by proclaiming the creation of the German Empire in
Versailles and claimed fossil fuel rich area
2. French were looking for a way to get revenge
3. A defence line was built on the border with Germany and France built up its army
This dark side of the Belle Époque is also called the Armed Peace, which will result in the Great War
The German colonial dream
After the unification, Germany’s industry grew rapidly and after the Franco-Prussian War they had
developed the strongest military force on the mainland, but it wasn’t enough.
Emperor Wilhelm II wanted to gain colonies just like Britain and France
But Britain and France controlled the seas and overseas territories in Africa and Asia. the British had
the biggest empire. Wilhelm II wanted to build a fleet to compete with other countries
The British kept an close eye on Germany there fleet was the biggest and they were not willing to
give up their power
Militarism and powerful alliances
1.1 The Armed Peace
Key words:
Belle Époque = French: ‘fine period’, period of peace and prosperity in Europe and the USA preceding
the First World War
The Great War= another name for the First World War
Arms race= competition between nations to build the most weapons
Militarism = glorifying the army
Allies = alliance between France, Britain, Russia and the USA during the First World War
Central powers = alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottomans during the First
World War
Two-front war = war in which a country had to fight battles in separate locations at the same general
time
Schlieffen Plan = German strategy to invade France through Belgium and after defeating the French
to send their soldiers to the Eastern Front to fight the Russians
Summary:
The Belle Époque
Around 1900 Europe seemed a time of peace and prosperity, however also of extreme nationalism
and hostility
In the Belle Époque (‘beautiful era’, start of the 20th century) people were optimistic about the
future, prosperity grew, new inventions, the first cars and airplanes and rich people went to parties.
But unrest was growing; world leaders were building up armies and wanted to expend their power.
Nation states and nationalism
European countries became more nationalistic, which united the population in their own country but
also made them feel superior towards other countries
The strongest hatred was between France and Germany, Germany wanted to take revenge for the
Franco-Prussian War in 1870-1871
1. The germans humiliated France by proclaiming the creation of the German Empire in
Versailles and claimed fossil fuel rich area
2. French were looking for a way to get revenge
3. A defence line was built on the border with Germany and France built up its army
This dark side of the Belle Époque is also called the Armed Peace, which will result in the Great War
The German colonial dream
After the unification, Germany’s industry grew rapidly and after the Franco-Prussian War they had
developed the strongest military force on the mainland, but it wasn’t enough.
Emperor Wilhelm II wanted to gain colonies just like Britain and France
But Britain and France controlled the seas and overseas territories in Africa and Asia. the British had
the biggest empire. Wilhelm II wanted to build a fleet to compete with other countries
The British kept an close eye on Germany there fleet was the biggest and they were not willing to
give up their power
Militarism and powerful alliances
