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20th Century International RelationsTension in Europe

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Learning objectives

What we will learn in this presentation:

What were the existing tensions in Europe?

What were the war plans of each of the Great Powers?

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

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Tension in Europe

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The road to war

In 1914, Europe was primed for war. It was not only the politicians who were anticipating war – rearmament and frequent war scares had caused European society to become increasingly militaristic and nationalistic. Many people not only expected war, but welcomed it.

Each side had long prepared for war. They had written plans, books and policies on what to do. These plans also played a part in the outbreak of large-scale war in 1914.

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The war plans of Europe

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The Schlieffen Plan

It was an ambitious plan designed to avoid Germany having to fight a two-front war against France and Russia.

German speed

slow Russian mobilization

Britain staying out of the war.

The most influential plan was that of Germany – the Schlieffen Plan.

It relied on three things:

The plan was to invade France and capture Paris before the Russians could mobilize.