1. The causes of the First World War.
Imperialism
European countries believed they were superior and it was alright to rule colonies.
This led to clashes between imperialist powers.
German Imperial Expansion was rapid as shown below. However, all nations were doing the same thing.
Militarism
Not just an arms race - also an attitude of mind, which sees war as a valid means of foreign policy.
1898 – Germany expands its fleet in order to match Britain
1906 (Feb)– Britain develops the best Warship in the World – ‘Dreadnought’
By 1914 Germany had built 33 battleships compared to Britain’s 55. This was the closest any nation had ever come to matching the British Navy
Countries being pre-emptive
In the elections of 1912 the ‘Socialist Party’ got more votes than any other party. The Kaiser’s government were shocked, and thought the only way to get peoples’ support back was to fight a war – that way, everybody would support the Kaiser.
In 1912 the German High-Command met at Potsdam Palace near Berlin. The Generals advised that if Germany did not fight a war within 18 months, it would never be able to win – it was ‘now or never’.
Britain was experiencing problems at home in the form of Trade Union strikes when workers refused to work and terrorist activity from the Suffragettes. The government hoped that a war would help bring people back on side. The same was true in France.
Revision tasks:
1. Highlight any details which suggest Germany was to blame.
2. Highlight any details which suggest alternative reasons for the war.
3. Test yourself! How many of these can you remember and explain?
The causes of the First World War.
The assassination of Franz Fedinand
This event triggered the final 5 steps to war.
Franz Ferdinand was the Archduke of Austria Hungary. He was killed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist who was a member of the Black Hand Gang.
Step 1: Austria attacked Serbia having been given support from Germany.
Step 2: Russia mobilised for war against Austria
Step 3: Germany urges Austria Hungary to continue and declares war on Russia.
Step 4: Germany has to attack France because of the “Schlieffen plan”
Step 5: Britain has to help its allies and declares war on Germany
The Schlieffen Plan
Germany felt vulnerable and did not want to fight a war on two fronts.
The plan was originally written in 1905.
The plan was to invade France through Belgium and defeat them before Russia had time to mobilise.
This was based on a number of assumptions: Russia would take at least 6 weeks to mobilise, France would be easily defeated within 6 weeks, Belgium would not resist any German attack, Britain would remain neutral
Alliances
The countries of Europe thought the alliance system would be a deterrent to war; in fact it obliged them to follow each other to war.
The Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
The Triple Entente: Britain, France and Russia
The Treaty of London: the European powers promised to guarantee the neutrality of Belgium

2. Optional introduction How do I structure my answers?
Question 1 will ask you to briefly describe something. Your answer should look something like this. To get full marks you will need to identify a number of different points or explain 2-3.
Question 2 will ask you to explain something. Your answer should look something like this. To get full marks you will need to fully explain at least 2 different points.
Question 3 will ask you to develop an argument. Your answer should look something like this. To get full marks you will need 2 explained points showing how you can agree with the question, 2 explained points showing alternative arguments, and a conclusion.
Optional introduction
Possible questions could be:
Briefly describe the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.
Briefly describe the state of Europe in 1914.
Briefly describe the rivalry between European countries in 1914.
Possible questions could be:
Explain why the assassination of Franz Ferdinand led to war.
Explain why there was so much rivalry in Europe in 1914.
Explain why some European countries wanted war in 1914.
Possible questions could be:
How far do you agree with the view that the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the main cause of the war?
How far do you agree with the view that the long term causes meant that war was always going to happen?
How do I structure my answers?