World Wars

A local crisis spread quickly through alliances and military timetables. For exams separate structural causes from the immediate event.

German naval expansion appeared as a challenge to British sea power. For exams place naval rivalry among long-term causes.

The dreadnought race shows militarism and competition for sea power. For exams connect arms race with war background.

German support strengthened a harder policy rather than keeping the crisis limited. For exams connect great-power backing with crisis escalation.

Germany wanted to defeat France quickly and then turn toward Russia. For exams connect the plan with time and speed.

After the Marne the war began shifting from a rapid campaign to long trench fighting. For exams connect it with stalemate on the Western Front.

Verdun shows the idea of wearing down the enemy through heavy losses. For exams understand attrition as resource exhaustion.

Tanks signaled future war technology but their capacity was limited in 1916. For exams separate early and mature stages of technology.

Gallipoli had a major strategic aim but difficult execution. For exams examine geography planning and logistics together.

Russia's withdrawal allowed Germany to move some forces from the east. For exams distinguish temporary advantage from final defeat.

Reparations and war guilt strengthened resentment in German politics. For exams write economic and psychological effects together.

The absence of a major power like the USA reduced the League's strength. For exams understand the link between membership and effectiveness.

Economic insecurity strengthened Japanese expansionism. For exams connect Manchuria with resources and militarism.

The Mukden Incident provided a pretext to present military action as legitimate. For exams separate the event from its political use.

Mussolini benefited from weak collective security by invading Ethiopia. For exams connect Italian expansionism with League failure.

Guernica became a symbol of civilian bombing and psychological war. For exams study the Spanish Civil War as a sign of future war.

At Munich the security of a small nation was suppressed by great-power politics. For exams write ethical and strategic sides of appeasement separately.

The Danzig issue was linked with German nationalism and Poland's access to the sea. For exams connect border disputes with causes of war.

The rapid attack through the Ardennes was a geography-based surprise. For exams examine assumptions behind defense plans.

Germany needed control of the sky for a landing in Britain. For exams understand air war and sea invasion together.