A: Alliance System
Because all of the great powers in Europe were allied with each other, it created a situation in which if one power attacked another, all the others would have to get involved in a war.
B: Colonial Rivalry
Colonial rivalry caused tension between the powers. For example, initially France and Britain argued a lot about their African colonies. Later, Germany created tension with Britain by supporting the Boer settlers in South Africa.
C: Naval Race
Germany believed to be a great empire it needed a large navy. It wanted a navy 2/3 the size of GB. However, Britain wanted to have a navy at least double the size of Germany's, so this created a naval race, and a lot of tensions between the countries.
D: Economic Rivalry
Germany's businessmen wanted to go to war with Briation because britain controlled about half of the tonnage of merchant ships.
E: Russia Supported Serbia
Made Russia more agressively anti-Austrian. Russia wanted to be the leader of the Slavs, and felt a responsibility to protect Serbia from A-H.
F: Germany Backing Austria at Crucial
Kaiser told A-H that Germany would give full support if A-H attacked Serbia. "Blank check"
G: Mobilization Plans
The Germans had a plan (Schlieffen Plan) to defeat France and Russia in one fell swoop. This plan does not leave any time for negotiation, and also involves a German of invasion of Belgiun (which violates Belgian neutrality, and forced GB into the war).
H: A "Tragedy of Miscalculation"
Various mistakes contributed to war:
-Austrians thought Russia would not support Serbia
-Germany gave Austria a blank check, forcing it into an uneccessary war.
-Politicians in Russia and Germany thought mobilization did not mean war
-Generals believed in a swift and decisize victory.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Churchill criticizes the German Fleet
Questions:
1. Explain in your own words what Churchill sees as the difference between the significance of the German and the British fleets.
The British Navy is necessary to Britain's protection. The German navy is unnecessary, and is just for expansion.
2. Look carefully at the language Churchill uses in describing the German fleet. What impression of the German fleet does his choice of language give?
It gives the impression that Germany’s navy is not necessary and they only have it to expand.
3. What does Churchill mean by "the ratio which our naval strength will have to bear to other great naval Powers"?
is Churchill threatening Germany in this speech?
He is saying that Great Britain is going to out-produce Germany in the naval race. He is essentially saying Britain will have a stronger navy no matter what Gerrman government (as Churchill knew it would be). Which parts of it might give the German government grounds to complain to the British governmentd by that. Churchill was probably trying to scare Germany off. He was telling the Germans to give up challenging Britain.
4. How exactly is Churchill threatening Germany in this speech?
He is saying that the British navy will always be the best, and will ensure that it always has the bigger navy. So this is a challenge to Germany.
5. This speech was studied very carefully by the German government (as Churchill knew it would be). Which parts of it might give the German government grounds to complain to the British government? What do you think was the effect Churchill intended this speech to have in Germany?
The part that says the German navy is for expansion could offend the Germans. Churchill might have wanted to scare the Germans off. He might have wanted to make it clear the Britain had the superior navy.
1. Explain in your own words what Churchill sees as the difference between the significance of the German and the British fleets.
The British Navy is necessary to Britain's protection. The German navy is unnecessary, and is just for expansion.
2. Look carefully at the language Churchill uses in describing the German fleet. What impression of the German fleet does his choice of language give?
It gives the impression that Germany’s navy is not necessary and they only have it to expand.
3. What does Churchill mean by "the ratio which our naval strength will have to bear to other great naval Powers"?
is Churchill threatening Germany in this speech?
He is saying that Great Britain is going to out-produce Germany in the naval race. He is essentially saying Britain will have a stronger navy no matter what Gerrman government (as Churchill knew it would be). Which parts of it might give the German government grounds to complain to the British governmentd by that. Churchill was probably trying to scare Germany off. He was telling the Germans to give up challenging Britain.
4. How exactly is Churchill threatening Germany in this speech?
He is saying that the British navy will always be the best, and will ensure that it always has the bigger navy. So this is a challenge to Germany.
5. This speech was studied very carefully by the German government (as Churchill knew it would be). Which parts of it might give the German government grounds to complain to the British government? What do you think was the effect Churchill intended this speech to have in Germany?
The part that says the German navy is for expansion could offend the Germans. Churchill might have wanted to scare the Germans off. He might have wanted to make it clear the Britain had the superior navy.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Bismarck & Europe 1871-1878
1. What were Otto von Bismarck's aims in foreign policy following Germany's victory over France in 1871?
Bismarck's main goal was to maintain peace in Europe. The two threats to peace were a possible attack from France, and an Austro-Russian conflict arising in the Balkans. Bismarck prevented France from attacking Germany by isolating her from the other Great Powers. He did this by allying Germany with Austria-Hungary and Russia in the Three Emperors Leaugue. Although Bismarck wanted peace, he wanted to create enough tension that the other powers could not join together against Germany. His worst nightmare was France and Russia becoming allies. However that is exactly what happens when the "War in Sight" article is published. Rather than isolating France, it gives France support from Brittain and Russia.
The other threat to peace was conflict in the Balkans. Bismarck tryed to ease the tensions with Austria-Hungary and Russia, but was unable to do that due to the Eastern Question. Bismarck had to somehow make Russia and the Hapsburg Empire feel as though Germany was on their side. Bismarck encouraged both Austria-Hungary and Russia to find a solution diplomatically, and also suggested Britain help too, but the Powers were unable to find a solution. Despite Russia's war with Turkey, Germany remained neutral.
2. Why did events between the years 1875-78 in the Balkans lead to a crisis between the Great Powers?
Russia wanted to help the Slavs. Austria-Hungary feared the creation of Slavic states, because it might undermine its own stability. So when the Slavs started rebelling, the russians want to help them, and the Austrians want the Ottomans to defeat them. At first Russia and Austria-Hungary try to go about the situation peacefully, but that doesn't work. In the end, the Russian public wants to help the Slavs so much they declare war on Turkey. Russia defeats Turkey and takes some territory and demands unfair terms for peace. Austria-Hungary feels betrayed, and Britain's sympathy is with Turkey. The situation pits Russia against Austria-Hunagary and Briatin.
Bismarck's main goal was to maintain peace in Europe. The two threats to peace were a possible attack from France, and an Austro-Russian conflict arising in the Balkans. Bismarck prevented France from attacking Germany by isolating her from the other Great Powers. He did this by allying Germany with Austria-Hungary and Russia in the Three Emperors Leaugue. Although Bismarck wanted peace, he wanted to create enough tension that the other powers could not join together against Germany. His worst nightmare was France and Russia becoming allies. However that is exactly what happens when the "War in Sight" article is published. Rather than isolating France, it gives France support from Brittain and Russia.
The other threat to peace was conflict in the Balkans. Bismarck tryed to ease the tensions with Austria-Hungary and Russia, but was unable to do that due to the Eastern Question. Bismarck had to somehow make Russia and the Hapsburg Empire feel as though Germany was on their side. Bismarck encouraged both Austria-Hungary and Russia to find a solution diplomatically, and also suggested Britain help too, but the Powers were unable to find a solution. Despite Russia's war with Turkey, Germany remained neutral.
2. Why did events between the years 1875-78 in the Balkans lead to a crisis between the Great Powers?
Russia wanted to help the Slavs. Austria-Hungary feared the creation of Slavic states, because it might undermine its own stability. So when the Slavs started rebelling, the russians want to help them, and the Austrians want the Ottomans to defeat them. At first Russia and Austria-Hungary try to go about the situation peacefully, but that doesn't work. In the end, the Russian public wants to help the Slavs so much they declare war on Turkey. Russia defeats Turkey and takes some territory and demands unfair terms for peace. Austria-Hungary feels betrayed, and Britain's sympathy is with Turkey. The situation pits Russia against Austria-Hunagary and Briatin.
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