CRISES BEFORE WORLD WAR I
READ ABOUT IT!
Welcome to the Crises before World War I Virtual Center. The first thing your group needs to do is read about the crises that occurred before World War I. After you read, you need to work together to complete the Crises Center Page in your Lesson Chronicles.
A Ticking Time Bomb
In the 1800s and early 1900s, the major European powers developed intense rivalries as they competed to claim lands and control resources in Africa and Asia. Imperialism became more important to them than any efforts to keep peace. Through the 1800’s and early 1900’s, several clashes made tension in Europe even worse. The clashes that occurred between nations over land claims were known as crises. Crises are difficult or dangerous situations in which a decision must be made quickly and the result of the decision has heavy consequences. These crises turned Europe into a ticking time bomb. Three major crises occurred over land in Africa, as it was being carved up into a patchwork of European colonies. The other occurred in the Balkans in Southern Europe.
The Fashoda Incident
The first showdown was in the territory of the Sudan south of Egypt. France had already claimed much of the western region of Africa and hoped to extend its empire into the northern portion of the continent by moving east toward the Sudan. At the same time, however, the British wanted to extend their African empire south from Egypt, into the same territory the French had their eye on. The situation came to a head in 1898 when French forces faced British soldiers, all there to plant their flags on the same ground. War seemed inevitable as the two armies met in Fashoda and both refused to back down.
 British Territories are in red. French Territories are in Blue.
However, the French finally did give in for two main reasons. First, they were greatly outnumbered by the British and did not want to suffer another defeat as they had in the Franco-Prussian War. Secondly, the French were even more concerned about Germany and didn’t want to anger the one nation that could be its most powerful European ally if the need arose. Although tense, the face-off ended peacefully when France allowed the British to control the Sudan in exchange for recognizing French claims in Western and Central Africa. The crisis between France and Great Britain in the Sudan became known as the Fashoda Incident.
The Boer War |
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Important Vocabulary
alliance: an agreement between nations to work together for a common goal or to defend each other in the event of war
annexed: to add an area or region to a country, state, or city assassination: Killing a famous or important person usually for political reasons Boer War of 1899: a war between the British and the Dutch over Transvaal and the Free Orange State in Southern Africa Bosnian Crisis: an international conflict that occurred when Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina crises: difficult or dangerous situations in which a decision must be made quickly and the result of the decision has heavy consequences Fashoda Incident: a dispute over territory between France and Great Britain over an area of the Sudan south of Egypt imperialism: when a nation takes over another nation to rule them and take their natural resources inevitable: something that is sure to happen Moroccan Crisis: a conflict between Germany and France over control of Morocco nationalist groups: a group of people who want to form a separate and independent nation of their own sphere of influence: a country or area in which an imperialist country has power to affect what happens there though it has no formal authority tensions: a state in which people, groups, countries, etc., disagree with and feel anger toward each other |
The Boer War of 1899 was fought between the British and Dutch imperialists called the Boers. This time, the scene was in southern Africa. South Africa was first colonized by Dutch settlers, who turned control over to the British after the Napoleonic Wars. The Boers were not happy about British rule and left the region in 1836, moving north to establish the independent countries of Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The British officially accepted the two states’ independence and things stayed peaceful until gold and diamonds were discovered there in the 1880’s.
Not surprisingly, the British then decided that it would be in their best interest to own and control the land and resources of the entire region. Tensions increased between the British and the Dutch until war broke out in 1899. The Boer War lasted three years, and Great Britain eventually won. Thereafter, both powers’ territories were combined to form the Union of South Africa in 1910. Britain then had control over all of southern Africa, except the small, independent tribal nations of Lesotho and Swaziland.
The Moroccan Crisis
A third major clash occurred in northwest Africa in the country of Morocco and became known as the Moroccan Crisis . Both France and Great Britain were interested in this farming and mining region, but Morocco wanted to maintain its independence. Even so, in 1904 following the Fashoda incident in the Sudan, the British agreed to allow France to have a sphere of influence in Morocco in exchange for backing down and allowing the British to claim eastern Africa.
Sultan of Morocco
Kaiser William II was the ruler of Germany. He was angry at France's influence and that he was given no say in the agreement. So, he decided to intervene. In March 1905, the Kaiser went to Morocco and made a speech. He announced to Morocco that Germany recognized their nation as an independent nation and promised German protection if France attempted to make a colony out of Morocco. Then, the German Kaiser called an international conference to tell the world.
At the conference, Germany hoped to humiliate France by announcing that the French had illegally placed Morocco in the French sphere of influence. Germany also hoped to split up the friendship between Great Britain and France by announcing that Austria - Hungary was supporting Germany's efforts in Morocco. Instead, the plan backfired. Great Britain supported France and eventually entered into an alliance together. It was becoming obvious that two sides were developing.
At the conference, Germany hoped to humiliate France by announcing that the French had illegally placed Morocco in the French sphere of influence. Germany also hoped to split up the friendship between Great Britain and France by announcing that Austria - Hungary was supporting Germany's efforts in Morocco. Instead, the plan backfired. Great Britain supported France and eventually entered into an alliance together. It was becoming obvious that two sides were developing.
The Bosnian Crisis
The Bosnian Crisis of 1908 and 1909 was perhaps the most serious crisis that led to the outbreak of World War One. It occurred in the Balkans. The Balkan region is located in southeastern Europe and includes the countries of Greece, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, a small region around Istanbul, and Croatia.
The Bosnian Crisis began because people were angry when the Balkan regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina were annexed by Austria-Hungary. In 1878, Bosnia and Herzegovina were officially a part of the Ottoman Empire, but Austria-Hungary claimed the territory at the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. So, all the nations of Europe supported Austria-Hungary's claim to the area and the Ottoman Empire lost Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria-Hungary. Soon after losing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was angry about losing two areas of the Balkans, but their army was weak, so they couldn't afford a war.
The Bosnian Crisis began because people were angry when the Balkan regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina were annexed by Austria-Hungary. In 1878, Bosnia and Herzegovina were officially a part of the Ottoman Empire, but Austria-Hungary claimed the territory at the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. So, all the nations of Europe supported Austria-Hungary's claim to the area and the Ottoman Empire lost Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria-Hungary. Soon after losing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was angry about losing two areas of the Balkans, but their army was weak, so they couldn't afford a war.
The Ottoman Empire was not the only ones that were unhappy with Austria-Hungary. Russia and Serbia were unhappy too. Russia did not want Austria-Hungary to gain anymore land or power. Serbia wanted to unite with Bosnia and Herzegovina to form one Serbian nation. Serbia demanded Austria-Hungary give a portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia.
Austria-Hungary did not want to appear weak, so they threatened to invade Serbia. Austria-Hungary had an alliance with Germany and knew Russia would not risk going to war with two strong European nations on her border over Serbia. As a result, Russia backed down. Serbia knew they could not fight Austria-Hungary without Russia, so they were forced to accept that Austria-Hungary now had control over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though the crisis did not end in war, an intense hatred grew between the people of Serbia and Austria-Hungary. This hatred would eventually lead to the assassination that sparked World War I.
Austria-Hungary did not want to appear weak, so they threatened to invade Serbia. Austria-Hungary had an alliance with Germany and knew Russia would not risk going to war with two strong European nations on her border over Serbia. As a result, Russia backed down. Serbia knew they could not fight Austria-Hungary without Russia, so they were forced to accept that Austria-Hungary now had control over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though the crisis did not end in war, an intense hatred grew between the people of Serbia and Austria-Hungary. This hatred would eventually lead to the assassination that sparked World War I.
Outcomes of Crises
These crises resulted in three main outcomes. First, alliances that had formed in the late 1800’s were strengthened. Though Germany had hoped to split up France and Great Britain by its show of force, the two nations drew closer instead. Secondly, the conflicts in Africa, especially the showdown in Morocco, increased tensions among the powers. Thirdly, Austria-Hungary's imperialism in the Bosnian Crisis motivated Serbian nationalist groups to form that would do whatever it took, including assassination, to preserve their nation and their way of life.
ANALYZE IT!
The second thing your group needs to do is to analyze what you have learned. In this activity, you will create comic strip of each major crisis.
Comic Strip
Each member of your group will create a comic book strip using online software called Storyboard That. With your group, decide which group member will do each crisis discussed in the reading. One person will do the Fashoda Incident. One person will do the Boer War. One person will do the Moroccan Crisis and one person will do the Bosnian Crisis. As a group, discuss how to make a strip of three scenes for each person's comic strip. The pictures and text should include the most important points in the crisis. To begin click on the icon below.
You will have to register. Use the information on the StoryBoard Signup Slip that I gave you to register. Then follow the directions to create your strip. I will come around and help all those who need it. If the site is down or blocked, we will do the comic strips on paper.
Example Comic Strip - The Fashoda Incident
The following is an example of the Fashoda Incident. When your group has completed your comic strips, we will display them outside the room.
PROVE IT!
You just learned about alliances before World War I. You analyzed the relationships between the major nations and determined whether they were friends or enemies. Now you need to show off what you know. Complete the Center Check by clicking on the Center Check Icon below and answering the questions.
CENTER COMPLETE!
You have completed the Crises Before World War I Center. Click on the button below to go back to the Lesson 1 - The Causes of World War I Home Page.