Growing European Armies and Land Rearmament Flashcards

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What is meant by 'land rearmament' before the First World War?

It means countries spending more money to grow and equip their armies on land.

How did conscription help European countries increase their armies?

Conscription made most young men serve in the army for a set time, creating huge reserves of trained soldiers.

Which main European countries took part in the land arms race?

Germany, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary all tried to build the biggest land armies.

Why did Germany keep increasing the size of its army after 1871?

Germany feared attack from France and Russia, so it built a strong army to fight on two fronts.

How did France respond to Germany’s growing army?

France extended conscription and trained more soldiers so its army would not fall behind Germany’s.

Why was Britain’s approach to land rearmament different from other powers?

Britain kept a small professional army and relied mainly on its navy, so it did not use peacetime conscription.

Name two new land weapons that were developed as part of rearmament.

Countries bought more machine guns and heavy artillery, which could kill many soldiers very quickly.

How did railways support growing European armies before 1914?

Railways let countries move large numbers of troops and guns to the front very quickly.

How did the growth of European armies increase tension between countries?

Huge armies made neighbours feel threatened, so they also armed, which increased fear and mistrust.

Why did big armies and detailed war plans make war more likely in a crisis?

Once mobilisation began, timetables were tight, so leaders felt they had to attack quickly instead of keep talking.

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