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- The growth of tension in Europe, 1905 to 14
The growth of tension in Europe, 1905 to 14
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A series of crises between 1905 and 1914 raised tension. Then two shots in Sarajevo set off the war.
Morocco and the naval race
Moroccan Crises (1905 to 06 and 1911): Germany challenged French influence in Morocco. Both times Britain backed France, drawing them closer.
Naval race: Britain launched HMS Dreadnought (1906), a new kind of battleship. Germany built its own, and both raced to build more.
Naval race: Britain launched HMS Dreadnought (1906), a new kind of battleship. Germany built its own, and both raced to build more.
The Balkans
Bosnian Crisis (1908 to 09): Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia, angering Serbia and Russia; Russia backed down when Germany supported Austria.
Balkan Wars (1912 to 13): Serbia grew larger and stronger, alarming Austria-Hungary.
Balkan Wars (1912 to 13): Serbia grew larger and stronger, alarming Austria-Hungary.
Sarajevo and the outbreak of war
On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungary, was shot in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb linked to the Black Hand group.
Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, declared war on Serbia. Russia mobilised to help Serbia; Germany declared war on Russia and France, and invaded Belgium. Britain declared war on 4 August 1914.
Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, declared war on Serbia. Russia mobilised to help Serbia; Germany declared war on Russia and France, and invaded Belgium. Britain declared war on 4 August 1914.
Why did the Bosnian Crisis increase tension?
- Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia angered Serbia and Russia.
- Russia was forced to back down when Germany supported Austria.
- Russia was humiliated and determined not to back down again.
Answer: It humiliated Russia and made it determined to stand firm next time.
Moroccan Crises (1905 to 06, 1911) drew Britain and France together. The naval race followed HMS Dreadnought (1906). The Bosnian Crisis (1908 to 09) and Balkan Wars (1912 to 13) raised Austro-Serbian tension. Franz Ferdinand's assassination at Sarajevo (28 June 1914) triggered war; Britain joined on 4 August.
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