Anglo-German Rivalry Flashcards

All 9 cards in this deck

What was Britain's policy of 'Splendid Isolation'?

Britain's policy of avoiding permanent alliances with other European powers, relying on its navy and empire.

What was the Anglo-German naval race?

Britain and Germany competing to build the most powerful warships, dreadnoughts and super dreadnoughts.

Why did German naval expansion worry Britain?

Britain had been the world's strongest naval power, and relied on its navy to defend its empire and trade.

True or false? Anglo-German rivalry was only about the navy.

False. It was rivalry over the size of their empires and their armed forces — colonies, ships, men and money.

True or false? In the years before 1914 all the main European powers, not just Britain and Germany, were spending increasing amounts of money on building bigger armed forces.

True. European rearmament was general: the powers of Europe spent more and more on larger armies, while Britain and Germany also competed at sea over dreadnoughts.

What was Weltpolitik?

Kaiser Wilhelm II's foreign policy of making Germany a world power, through gaining colonies, building a large navy and increasing influence overseas.

What was HMS Dreadnought (1906)?

A new British battleship, faster and with more big guns than any earlier battleship. It made older battleships out of date, so the naval race became a race to build 'dreadnoughts'.

When did Germany begin building a large battle fleet?

1898, when the first German Navy Law was passed, starting the naval race with Britain.

What was France's Plan 17?

France's war plan for a quick attack straight into Germany, aimed at recovering Alsace-Lorraine.