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During 1900-1914, the great powers of Europe clashed a number of times. Each of these events increased international tension and rivalry, and made war more likely. War was going to come sooner or later.
Events
Key events 1899-1914
| Event | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Boer War 1899-1902 | Germany opposed Britain's attempt to defeat the Boers in South Africa. |
| 2. First Moroccan crisis 1905-1906 | Kaiser Wilhelm promised to support the sultan of Morocco against France's attempts to take over the country. |
| 3. 'Daily Telegraph' article 1908 | In a newspaper interview, Kaiser Wilhelm said the English were mad and the Germans hated them. This caused great offence in Britain. |
| 4. Bosnia 1908 | Austria annexed [Annexed: To join with or take over, so the less powerful country becomes part of the more powerful. ] Bosnia in the Balkans. This annoyed Serbia, which wanted to take over the area. Russia wanted to help Serbia, but had to back down. |
| 5. Dreadnought crisis 1909 | Scared by the growing German navy, the British people demanded that the government build eight of the new Dreadnought battleships. |
| 6. Agadir 1911 | There was a revolution in Morocco, so France sent an army to take over. Kaiser Wilhelm sent the gunship 'Panther', but Britain and France forced him to back down. |
| 7. Balkan Wars 1912-1913 | Serbia and other countries in the Balkans conquered most of Turkey's land in Europe. Serbia became a powerful country, and said Austria-Hungary was its next target. |
| 8. Assassination of Franz Ferdinand 1914 | The heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary was shot by Gavrilo Princip, a young Serb terrorist, in Sarajevo in Bosnia. |
- Question
Think about the events that increased tension across Europe and the consequences of these events. Can you think which event(s):
- Made the British public hate the Germans.
- Made France think that Germany wanted to destroy its empire.
- Showed that the British thought Germany wanted to challenge the British navy.
- Made Austria-Hungary determined to destroy Serbia.
- Made Russia determined to support the Serbs.
- Made Austria-Hungary frightened of Serbia.
- Made Britain think Germany wanted to destroy its empire.
- Made Germany determined to stand up to France and Britain.
- Answer
- The Boer War, the 'Daily Telegraph' article and the Dreadnought crisis made the British public hate the Germans.
- The first Moroccan crisis and Agadir made France think that Germany wanted to destroy its empire.
- The Dreadnought crisis showed that the British thought Germany wanted to challenge the British navy.
- Bosnia, the Balkan Wars and the assassination of Franz Ferdinand made Austria-Hungary determined to destroy Serbia.
- Bosnia made Russia determined to support the Serbs.
- The Balkan Wars made Austria-Hungary frightened of Serbia.
- The Boer War made Britain think that Germany wanted to destroy its empire.
- Agadir made Germany determined to stand up to France and Britain.
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