Pearson Baccalaureate – World History:
Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars
02: Cross-regional war: World War One - Causes (p. 10 - 41)
Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) → one of the causes for WWI
o 39 different German states (including Prussia & Austria)
o Otto von Bismarck (Prussia) had previously fought 3 wars with the aim of uniting the
different states and positioning Prussia as the dominant/leading German state.
o Final war: Prussian army won military battles, defeated & humiliated France,
→ France lost territory, had to pay indemnity and German Unification was
proclaimed in Versailles
Consequences:
o Desire for revenge in France, undermined position
o Changed balance of power in Europe (Germany = new power)
o Change in military tactics (rapid mobilization, conscription, fast deployment, use of
railway)
Key characteristics of European powers → see book!
Long-term causes of World War One
Bismarck’s web of alliances
Bismarck arranged alliances with almost every European power except of France
→ peace and stability insurance for Germany as a newly established power in Europe
→ France was isolated, prevention of two-front war
Dreikaiserbund (Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary), Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-
Hungary, Italy), Reinsurance Treaty (Russia, Germany)…
New Course and Weltpolitik
Dismissal of Bismarck = Wilhelm II’s “New Course”
o Alliances were set aside, focus on becoming a colonial power & enhancing territory
PROBLEMS: → In the meantime other Alliances were made, Germany encircled & isolated
→ Most of foreign territory (in Africa) was already occupied by other European
Powers, which now felt threatened = conflicts
Imperialism = COLONIAL RIVALRY
From 1878 to 1914 European Colonialism was at its height. The possession of colonies was a
symbol of wealth and the colonialist made huge profit out of military/trade bases, natural
resources and cheap labour by taking full control over the mother states and oppressing the
, natives. Competition of European companies on enhancing their territory mostly in Africa and
Austria. → many conflicts and disagreements
Germany’s desire to become a great colonial power led to rivalry particularly with
Britain.
Emergence of the alliance system
Germany decided to expand their marine power and to build 17 ships over the next 7 years
→ threat to Britain, which was the dominating marine power in Europe
→ Britain felt endangered and decided to seek security through alliances (Japan, France, Russia
= Triple Entente) GERMANY ENCIRCLED
Naval Race
Germany and Britain started a naval arms race on who could built more and better battleships
(Dreadnought) → Germany was seen as Britain’s greatest enemy
Situation in the Balkans
o Turkey: Struggling to hold on to its remaining Balkan territories (Serbs, Greeks and
Bulgars had already set up own independent states)
o Austria Hungary: Multi-ethnic empire, nationalist uprisings mainly by the Slavs
SUPPORTED by SERBIA = THREAT
o Russia: Saw itself as the champion of the Slav people (also in Austria-Hungary),
Strategic importance of Balkans: Russia’s ports were iced most of the time
→ needed access to the Straits of Constantinople
BOTH RUSSIA AND AUSTRIA-HUNGARY HOPED TO BENEFIT FROM
TURKEY’S DECLINING POWER
1905-1906: War between Serbia and Austria-Hungary to reduce Austria-Hungary’s influence
and on disagreements of Slavs in Austria-Hungary
Short-term causes: the crisis years (1905-1913)
The Moroccan Crisis (1905)
Germany wanted to undermine good relationship between Britain and France. (ENTENTE
CORDIALE) → attacked France by announcing to assist Morocco’s independence of France &
demanded an international conference (1906)
British backed the French, Germany only little support → Germany defeated
OUTCOMES: → little concession for Germany in North Africa = failure for Weltpolitik
→ Entente Cordiale was strengthened
→ Germany = key threat to British interests
The Bosnian Crisis (1908)
After Moroccan Crisis → Anglo-Russian Entente (Germany encircled even more)
Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars
02: Cross-regional war: World War One - Causes (p. 10 - 41)
Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) → one of the causes for WWI
o 39 different German states (including Prussia & Austria)
o Otto von Bismarck (Prussia) had previously fought 3 wars with the aim of uniting the
different states and positioning Prussia as the dominant/leading German state.
o Final war: Prussian army won military battles, defeated & humiliated France,
→ France lost territory, had to pay indemnity and German Unification was
proclaimed in Versailles
Consequences:
o Desire for revenge in France, undermined position
o Changed balance of power in Europe (Germany = new power)
o Change in military tactics (rapid mobilization, conscription, fast deployment, use of
railway)
Key characteristics of European powers → see book!
Long-term causes of World War One
Bismarck’s web of alliances
Bismarck arranged alliances with almost every European power except of France
→ peace and stability insurance for Germany as a newly established power in Europe
→ France was isolated, prevention of two-front war
Dreikaiserbund (Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary), Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-
Hungary, Italy), Reinsurance Treaty (Russia, Germany)…
New Course and Weltpolitik
Dismissal of Bismarck = Wilhelm II’s “New Course”
o Alliances were set aside, focus on becoming a colonial power & enhancing territory
PROBLEMS: → In the meantime other Alliances were made, Germany encircled & isolated
→ Most of foreign territory (in Africa) was already occupied by other European
Powers, which now felt threatened = conflicts
Imperialism = COLONIAL RIVALRY
From 1878 to 1914 European Colonialism was at its height. The possession of colonies was a
symbol of wealth and the colonialist made huge profit out of military/trade bases, natural
resources and cheap labour by taking full control over the mother states and oppressing the
, natives. Competition of European companies on enhancing their territory mostly in Africa and
Austria. → many conflicts and disagreements
Germany’s desire to become a great colonial power led to rivalry particularly with
Britain.
Emergence of the alliance system
Germany decided to expand their marine power and to build 17 ships over the next 7 years
→ threat to Britain, which was the dominating marine power in Europe
→ Britain felt endangered and decided to seek security through alliances (Japan, France, Russia
= Triple Entente) GERMANY ENCIRCLED
Naval Race
Germany and Britain started a naval arms race on who could built more and better battleships
(Dreadnought) → Germany was seen as Britain’s greatest enemy
Situation in the Balkans
o Turkey: Struggling to hold on to its remaining Balkan territories (Serbs, Greeks and
Bulgars had already set up own independent states)
o Austria Hungary: Multi-ethnic empire, nationalist uprisings mainly by the Slavs
SUPPORTED by SERBIA = THREAT
o Russia: Saw itself as the champion of the Slav people (also in Austria-Hungary),
Strategic importance of Balkans: Russia’s ports were iced most of the time
→ needed access to the Straits of Constantinople
BOTH RUSSIA AND AUSTRIA-HUNGARY HOPED TO BENEFIT FROM
TURKEY’S DECLINING POWER
1905-1906: War between Serbia and Austria-Hungary to reduce Austria-Hungary’s influence
and on disagreements of Slavs in Austria-Hungary
Short-term causes: the crisis years (1905-1913)
The Moroccan Crisis (1905)
Germany wanted to undermine good relationship between Britain and France. (ENTENTE
CORDIALE) → attacked France by announcing to assist Morocco’s independence of France &
demanded an international conference (1906)
British backed the French, Germany only little support → Germany defeated
OUTCOMES: → little concession for Germany in North Africa = failure for Weltpolitik
→ Entente Cordiale was strengthened
→ Germany = key threat to British interests
The Bosnian Crisis (1908)
After Moroccan Crisis → Anglo-Russian Entente (Germany encircled even more)
