The Great War Test Questions – Flashcards with Answers

Germany, the newest of the great powers, was growing into an economic and military powerhouse and other powers felt threatened by its rapid economic growth.

Austria sent Serbia a sweeping ultimatum, or final set of demands. To avoid war, said the ultimatum, Serbia must end all anti-Austrian agitation and punish any Serbian official involved in the murder plot. It must even let Austria join in the investigation. Serbia agreed to most, but not all, of the terms of Austria's ulti- matum. This partial refusal gave Austria the opportunity it was seeking. On July 28, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia.

Economic competition, imperial rivalries, and an arms race created antagonism between great powers. Nationalism contributed to the situation, and it threatened central authority in Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman empire.

Though French leaders had some doubts, they gave Russia the same kind of backing Germany offered to Austria. When Germany demanded that France keep out of the conflict, France refused. Germany then declared war on France.

The assassinations triggered World War I, called "The Great War" by people at the time. Austria blamed Serbia for their deaths and because Germany was an ally they got involved.

After Austria's declaration of war, Serbia turned to its ally, Russia, the champion of Slavic nations. From St. Petersburg, Nicholas II telegraphed William II. The tsar asked the kaiser to urge Austria to soften its demands. When this plea failed, Russia began to mobilize, or prepare its military forces for war. On August 1, Germany responded by declaring war on Russia. Russia, in turn, appealed to its ally France. In Paris, nationalists saw a chance to avenge France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Though French leaders had some doubts, they gave Russia the same kind of backing Germany offered to Austria.

Outraged by the invasion of Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany on August 4.

Alliances drew more and more countries into what began as a regional conflict. Russia stood by its ally, Serbia. France in turn stood by its ally, Russia. Undecided Britain was drawn in when Germany invaded neutral Belgium.