Flashcards
Mobilisation and the Beginning of World War I
Cards in this deck (10)
- 1Alliances System and RelationsPrior to the Beginning of World War I, Europe's powers were separated by two different alliances. After agreements between France and Britain (1904) and Britain and Russian (1907), the Triple Entente Powers was formed. Germany, Italy and Austro-Hungary secretly agreed for the creation of the Triple Alliance (1882). Germany and Austro-Hungary (Central Powers) sided against France, Britain and Russia (Allied Powers), but Italy broke their agreement and sided with the Allies.
- 2July CrisisIt began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary on 28 June 1914) by a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. In the negotiations during the following days, Austro-Hungary gave unrealistic demands to Serbia which were denied. As a result Austro-Hungary started mobilisation and declared war. Russia started mobilisation to support their traditional ally Serbia. Serbia had also mobilised. In response, Germany also mobilised and declared war on them. Britain and France then mobilised and declared war on Germany.
- 3Soldiers and army divisions of the Central Powers (Germany and Austro-Hungary) at the beginning of the warThey could muster 146 army divisions with approximately 1.4 million soldiers. This number would grow by the end of the war.
- 4Soldiers and army divisions of the Allied Powers (Russia, France, Britain) at the beginning of the warThey could muster 212 army divisions with approximately 2.8 million soldiers. This number would grow by the end of the war.
- 5The Railway SystemGermany and France had a very efficient railway system which allowed them to mobilise quickly. The Russian railway system was not as extensive but Russia mobilised much sooner than what Germany had expected.
- 6Schlieffen PlanIt was constructed by the former the Chief of the Imperial Army German General Staff, Field Marshal Alfred von Schlieffen, and originally designed for a potential war with the French Republic. With quick mobilisation, Germany would invade France and capture Paris to force her out of the war before the Russian mobilisation, return to support the Austro-Hungarians against the Russians and capture Moscow. The plan was a failure. Germans lost the battle of the Marne (1914) which was near Paris.
- 7Railway SystemGermany and France had a good railway system. The railway system allowed Germany to mobilise quickly and surprise France. Russia did not have a railway system that was as extensive as the German and French.
- 8Technological Advances and WeaponsDuring the Great War, both the Allies and the Central Powers designed new weapons to compete with their rivals. Germany specialised at developing the Zeppelin, Heavy Stationary Machine Guns and the Poison Gas, Britain and the United States designed the first of tanks such as Mark V and Light Mobile Machine Guns and France produced planes. Prior to the war, Germany and Britain were competing to develop the superior navy. They produced dozen of Dreadnoughts and U-boats.
- 9Power HouseFrance and Britain were able to obtain a large amount of raw material for their War Industry from their colonies and other trade partners such as the United States. Despite the British Blockade, Germany was able to produce weapons to compete with the Allies. France and Britain could also rally men from their colonies to fight against the Central Powers. Germany, France and Britain were also able to increase taxation or borrow money from their banks or people to support the war effort. France and Britain borrowed loans from the United States as well.
- 10Beasts of WarMore than 16 million horses, donkeys, camels, pigeons, dogs, cats and even slugs were used during the first World War for communication, transportation, scouting and fighting. Approximately 9 million of them would be slaughtered.
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- Mobilisation of the Allies (France, British Empire, Russian Empire etc.) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austro-Hungary, Ottoman Empire etc.) during the beginning of the first World War.
- Created by
- Angelos Dalaklis · Sep 2017
- Updated
- Apr 6, 2018
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