Causes of the First World War (1914–18)
Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answersWhat does the mnemonic M-A-I-N stand for?
Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.
All 12 Flashcards — Causes of the First World War (1914–18)
Sign up free to track progress and get spaced-repetition review schedules.
Question
What does the mnemonic M-A-I-N stand for?
Answer
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism — the four long-term causes of WWI.
Question
Define militarism.
Answer
The belief that a country should build strong armed forces and be ready to use them to get what it wants.
Question
Who were the members of the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente?
Answer
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy. Triple Entente: France, Russia, Britain.
Question
Why did France resent Germany before 1914?
Answer
Germany seized Alsace-Lorraine after defeating France in 1871, and France wanted revenge (revanche).
Question
What was the Anglo-German naval race?
Answer
A rivalry where Germany built Dreadnought battleships to challenge British sea power, and Britain built even faster in response.
Question
Define Pan-Slavism.
Answer
The idea that all Slavic peoples should unite, with Russia acting as their protector and leader.
Question
Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and when?
Answer
Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb, shot him in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914 — the short-term trigger of WWI.
Question
What was the German 'blank cheque'?
Answer
Germany's unconditional promise of support for whatever Austria-Hungary decided to do to Serbia after the assassination.
Question
Outline the July Crisis chain of events.
Answer
Blank cheque → Austrian ultimatum to Serbia → Russian mobilisation → German declarations of war on Russia and France.
Question
What was the Schlieffen Plan?
Answer
Germany's plan to defeat France quickly by invading through neutral Belgium, then turn east against Russia.
Question
Why did Britain declare war on Germany in 1914?
Answer
Germany invaded neutral Belgium on 4 August 1914, and Britain had pledged in 1839 to defend Belgian neutrality.
Question
What does the command term 'to what extent' require?
Answer
A weighed judgement: assess how far one factor is responsible against other causes, then reach a supported conclusion.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Causes of the First World War (1914–18)
Topic 16.1 hub
Causes of war
More from Topic 16.1
All flashcards in this topic
History exam skills
Paper structures & tips
Track your progress with spaced repetition
Sign up free — Aimnova tells you exactly which cards to review and when, so you remember everything before your IB exam.
Start Free