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The First World War 1914-18

ICSE · Class 11 · History

Quick revision notes for The First World War 1914-18 — ICSE Class 11 History. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.

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Key Topics to Revise

1

Condition of Europe on the Eve of the 20th Century

  • In 1900, Europe had about 400 million people who dominated the world due to scientific and industrial knowledge.
  • There were 20 independent states in Europe, of which 7 were considered 'Great Powers': Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, France, Italy, and the Ottoman Turkish Empire.
  • Britain was considered the most powerful state, controlling about 1/4th of the world's population through its empire.
2

Causes of the First World War — Underlying Causes

  • There were four main underlying causes: Aggressive Nationalism, Economic Rivalry and Neo-Imperialism, Formation of Alliances, and the Armament Race.
  • AGGRESSIVE NATIONALISM: Writers and thinkers glorified their own nation and promoted hatred of others. German historians like Siebel and Trietschke preached Teutonic racial superiority. English writer
  • INSURGENT NATIONALISM: Nationalism became explosive after the French Revolution. Pan-Germanism and Pan-Slavism emerged. Balkan nationalism against Turkish rule was particularly dangerous.
3

Formation of Triple Entente — Alliances and Counter-Alliances

  • Germany's aggressive Welt Politik and naval expansion compelled Britain to end its policy of Splendid Isolation.
  • FRANCO-RUSSIAN CONVENTION (1894): French Minister Delcasse persuaded Russia to sign a military convention. If Russia was attacked by Germany or Austria+Germany, France would mobilize forces. If France
  • ENTENTE CORDIALE (Anglo-French Convention, April 8, 1904): Britain and France settled colonial disputes. Key terms included: England got free hand in Egypt; France got free hand in Morocco; Spain's in
4

The Balkan Question and Direct Causes of WWI

  • The Balkans was called the 'Powder Keg of Europe' — a region of constant tension between Austria-Hungary, Russia, Serbia, and Turkey.
  • BALKAN NATIONALISM: Balkan peoples wanted freedom from Muslim Turkish rule. Slav nationalists wanted to merge with Serbia.
  • BALKAN LEAGUE: Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and Montenegro formed the Balkan League and declared war against Turkey.

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Key Concepts

This was Britain's foreign policyThis refers to an intenseThis term describes the riseAs the 19th century progressedThe Balkan Peninsula was a region

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