1.1
The age of world wars
1900-1950
The belle epoque was a wonderful time to live in. New inventions were made. No big wars.
The belle epoque was also called the armed peace, because France wanted revenge on
Germany, armies were made ready for war, etc.
Germany had one of the greatest and strongest army. They still wanted to expand their
territory. They wanted to conquer more colonies. But then they had to defeat France and
Great Britain on the water.
An arms race began (a race between countries to build more and better weapons)
Militarism is when the soldiers got much more respect and there was a great love for the
military.
Triple entente (Russia, France, Great Britain)
Allies (Friends in war)
Germany signed an agreement with Austria-Hungary. Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire also
joined this alliance. (This alliance was called the Central Powers
The Schlieffen plan.
1. They would build railways from the western border towards the eastern.
2. First troops to France, because he expected Russian troops to need weeks to get ready.
3. they would go through Belgium (they thought Belgium would not stop them.) straight to
Paris.
, 4. They thought France would surrender if they captured Paris.
5. after they captured Paris, they would be sent to the eastern front to fight Russia.
Good sides (German point of view)
- We have the initiative.
- We can surprise our enemy.
- We fight one enemy first, the other one later.
Down sides
- We start the war: we are guilty of the war.
- We attack a neutral country: Belgium.
- If step 1 fails: we have two enemies fighting at 2 frontlines.
The Balkan area was seen as the powder keg of Europe.
1.2, Franz Ferdinand
Archduke of Austria and Royal Prince of Hungary and Bohemia
Cousin of the Austrian emperor
Heir to the throne
Franz and his wife were making a visit to Sarajevo to show Austria’s influence in the
Balkan region. The Black Hand wanted to kill him. A bomb was thrown at Franz, but it
failed. Still, some people got injured from that grenade. So, Franz changed his plans and
wanted to go to the hospital to visit the victims. When they were turning around, they
stopped right in front of Gavrilo Princip. (also, a member of the Black Hand). And he
killed them with his gun.
The Austrian emperor heard about the death of his cousin.
He blamed it on the Serbian government.
He consulted his ally (Wilhelm II of Germany)
They decided to declare war on Serbia.
Serbia asked its ally Russia for support.
Russia knew France would help them, so they started to mobilise their
army.
Germany demanded Russia to stop their mobilisation, but they did not.
So, Germany also declared war on Russia and France.
People were not afraid of the war because everyone believed that their army was
the best. So, a lot of people volunteered for the army.
4 M.A.I.N causes of WW1
Militarism, so many weapons, they wanted to use them.
Alliances, prevent a war, but if it happens, it is big.
Imperialism, European countries fought each other in Asia/Africa to conquer lands there.
The age of world wars
1900-1950
The belle epoque was a wonderful time to live in. New inventions were made. No big wars.
The belle epoque was also called the armed peace, because France wanted revenge on
Germany, armies were made ready for war, etc.
Germany had one of the greatest and strongest army. They still wanted to expand their
territory. They wanted to conquer more colonies. But then they had to defeat France and
Great Britain on the water.
An arms race began (a race between countries to build more and better weapons)
Militarism is when the soldiers got much more respect and there was a great love for the
military.
Triple entente (Russia, France, Great Britain)
Allies (Friends in war)
Germany signed an agreement with Austria-Hungary. Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire also
joined this alliance. (This alliance was called the Central Powers
The Schlieffen plan.
1. They would build railways from the western border towards the eastern.
2. First troops to France, because he expected Russian troops to need weeks to get ready.
3. they would go through Belgium (they thought Belgium would not stop them.) straight to
Paris.
, 4. They thought France would surrender if they captured Paris.
5. after they captured Paris, they would be sent to the eastern front to fight Russia.
Good sides (German point of view)
- We have the initiative.
- We can surprise our enemy.
- We fight one enemy first, the other one later.
Down sides
- We start the war: we are guilty of the war.
- We attack a neutral country: Belgium.
- If step 1 fails: we have two enemies fighting at 2 frontlines.
The Balkan area was seen as the powder keg of Europe.
1.2, Franz Ferdinand
Archduke of Austria and Royal Prince of Hungary and Bohemia
Cousin of the Austrian emperor
Heir to the throne
Franz and his wife were making a visit to Sarajevo to show Austria’s influence in the
Balkan region. The Black Hand wanted to kill him. A bomb was thrown at Franz, but it
failed. Still, some people got injured from that grenade. So, Franz changed his plans and
wanted to go to the hospital to visit the victims. When they were turning around, they
stopped right in front of Gavrilo Princip. (also, a member of the Black Hand). And he
killed them with his gun.
The Austrian emperor heard about the death of his cousin.
He blamed it on the Serbian government.
He consulted his ally (Wilhelm II of Germany)
They decided to declare war on Serbia.
Serbia asked its ally Russia for support.
Russia knew France would help them, so they started to mobilise their
army.
Germany demanded Russia to stop their mobilisation, but they did not.
So, Germany also declared war on Russia and France.
People were not afraid of the war because everyone believed that their army was
the best. So, a lot of people volunteered for the army.
4 M.A.I.N causes of WW1
Militarism, so many weapons, they wanted to use them.
Alliances, prevent a war, but if it happens, it is big.
Imperialism, European countries fought each other in Asia/Africa to conquer lands there.
