European Great Powers and WWI Overview

The two alliances were the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.

The Triple Alliance was a legally binding agreement where members were obligated to go to war if one of them was attacked. The Triple Entente, however, was not a legally binding agreement, but a general understanding that they would support each other.

The formation of the German Empire in 1871.

<p>Wilhelm II was concerned about Germany's position on the world stage and feared the potential for 'encirclement' by other European powers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Germany's naval buildup alarmed France, Russia and Britain, prompting them to strengthen their own armed forces and form alliances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Franco-Russian Alliance was a military agreement formed in 1894 between France and Russia in response to Germany's growing power. It strengthened the anti-German alliance and further contributed to the existing tensions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Britain was concerned by Germany's growing naval power and its expansionist ambitions. These concerns prompted Britain to seek agreements with France and Russia to counter Germany's influence and ensure its own security.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The formation of opposing alliances, the arms race, and the growing tensions fueled by nationalistic ambitions and fears of encirclement contributed to the outbreak of World War I. The intricate web of alliances ultimately meant that a conflict between two nations would quickly escalate into a wider war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clemenceau and Lloyd George believed Wilson did not appreciate the difficulty of creating states and allowing for self-determination in Central and Eastern Europe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clemenceau wanted to weaken Germany and ensure it could not invade France again. He demanded reparations from Germany, control over the Rhineland and Saar coalfields, and the breakup of Germany into smaller states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clemenceau was concerned that Germany's industrial infrastructure remained intact, while France's was heavily damaged. He feared that Germany's economy would recover faster than France's, allowing it to rebuild its military potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>France had a much higher proportion of wartime casualties compared to Britain, with over 4% of its population killed, compared to a smaller percentage for Britain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clemenceau feared that Germany's larger population and intact industrial regions meant it could recover quickly from the war an threaten France again.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clemenceau was forced to abandon his plan to break up Germany into a collection of smaller states, as Wilson and Lloyd George opposed it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Wilson successfully advocated for self-determination in Eastern Europe, despite reservations from Clemenceau and Lloyd George. This led to the creation of new states in the region.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clemenceau sought to appease the public's desire for revenge against Germany, while also incorporating measures designed to prevent future aggression.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The strain of war caused two revolutions in Russia. The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the Provisional Government in November 1917 and signed a separate peace treaty, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, with Germany in March 1918.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The war led to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires, the rise of the United States as a global power, and the emergence of communism in Russia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The United States profited from the sale of weapons during the war, emerging richer and stronger than before.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The goal was to create peace agreements between the Allied Powers and the defeated Central Powers, officially ending World War I.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and the subsequent resistance from anti-Bolshevik groups, known as the Whites.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Bolsheviks were communists who believed in state ownership of all means of production, while the Whites were anti-Bolsheviks who opposed communist ideology and favored democratic and capitalist systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Foreign powers, including Britain, France, Japan, and the United States, supported the Whites against the Bolsheviks, viewing communism as a threat to their political systems and interests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Japan escaped war damage and was able to focus on building its economy and military, allowing it to gain wealth and power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The war had resulted in widespread devastation, massive death tolls, and political upheaval across Europe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>US President Woodrow Wilson.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It officially ended Russia's involvement in World War I and marked a major turning point in the conflict and in Russian politics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To negotiate treaties between the Allied Powers and the defeated Central Powers to officially end World War I.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The varying interests and demands of the Allied Powers, as well as the challenging task of handling the defeated powers, made reaching an agreement difficult.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It collapsed, breaking up into smaller independent nations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Kaiser's government lost control of the country, and the Kaiser was overthrown in a revolution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Woodrow Wilson (United States), David Lloyd George (Britain), and Georges Clemenceau (France).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The people felt that Germany was responsible for the war and should be harshly punished.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It forced Russia to concede large amounts of territory and pay reparations to Germany.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Wilson believed Germany should be punished but not completely destroyed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The League of Nations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Self-determination for nations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lloyd George aimed to protect British interests while Wilson focused on idealism and international cooperation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He feared Wilson would be too soft on Germany, which could lead to future invasions of France.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He faced pressure to impose a harsh settlement on Germany.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He worried that a Bolshevik victory could strengthen communism in Europe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To negotiate peace settlements that would ensure stability and prevent future conflicts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It led to demands for strict penalties and reparations on Germany.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He believed it would help foster democracy and prevent future wars.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To achieve the best possible outcomes for Britain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He worried about rebuilding Britain's economic prosperity, reliant on trade with Germany.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The six most powerful nations in 19th century Europe: Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia.

An alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

An alliance of Britain, France, and Russia formed in response to the Triple Alliance.

The first German Emperor who ruled from 1871 until his death in 1888.

The grandson of Wilhelm I, became emperor in 1888 and sought to strengthen Germany's world power.

A military alliance formed in 1894 between France and Russia in response to Germany's actions.

Competition between Britain and Germany to build powerful warships in the early 20th century.

The strategic threat perceived by Germany from Britain, France, and Russia.

The most powerful Allied leaders: Britain, France, and the USA.

The U.S. President and an idealist at the Paris Peace Conference.

Prime Minister of France focused on punishing Germany.

British Prime Minister balancing idealism and harsh punishment.

The treaty forcing Russia to cede land to Germany.

The strong feelings of Allies that Germany should be punished.

Wilson's proposals to promote peace and prevent future wars.

An international organization proposed by Wilson for conflict resolution.

The principle that nations should govern themselves.

The Allies' desire for a harsh treaty to hold Germany accountable.

Lloyd George's aim for Germany to act as a buffer against communism.

The belief that the treaty with Germany should be severe.

The internal conflict in Russia during the Paris Peace Conference.

Clemenceau's resolve to prevent future German invasions.

Leaders who were accountable to the views of their people.

France experienced over 1.7 million deaths, about 4% of its population.

Clemenceau worried about Germany's population and industrial recovery post-war.

The Big Three reached a compromise despite significant disagreements.

Clemenceau demanded reparations from Germany for the war damages.

Clemenceau secured control over Germany’s Rhineland as part of the treaty.

Lloyd George was concerned about self-determination impacting the British Empire.

Germany had a larger population (65 million) compared to France (40 million).

Austria-Hungary's unexpected takeover of Bosnia in 1908.

Future ruler of Austria-Hungary, assassinated in 1914.

War began on 28 June 1914 after Ferdinand's assassination.

Major military alliances in WWI; Germany and Austria-Hungary vs. Britain, France, and Russia.

Death toll around 40 million; political instability in Europe.

Communist party that seized power in Russia in November 1917.

Anti-Bolshevik groups during the Russian Civil War.

Joined the war in 1917, emerging as a global power.

Meeting in 1919 to negotiate peace treaties concluding WWI.

Germany lost control and faced revolution post-WWI.

Gained power and wealth without fighting in WWI.

Both emerged weaker and greatly affected by the war.