World War One - Naval Race and Arms Race - GCSE History

Summary

In this video, Imar explores the naval and arms races leading up to World War I. The naval race is highlighted by the launch of the dreadnought, prompting Britain and Germany to build their fleets, with Britain maintaining supremacy despite Germany's challenge. The arms race saw Europe divided into two military camps, escalating tensions and contributing to the war's outbreak. The video also discusses the impact of alliances and the growth of armies, emphasizing the role of military buildup in making World War I more likely.

Takeaways

• 🚢 The naval race was a significant factor leading up to World War I, with Britain aiming to maintain naval supremacy by having a fleet larger than the next three navies combined.
• 👑 Kaiser Wilhelm II's desire for a large navy was a catalyst for the naval arms race, challenging Britain's naval dominance.
• 🔥 The introduction of the dreadnought class of battleships revolutionized naval warfare, forcing both Britain and Germany to build up their fleets to maintain military power.
• 🏴‍☠️ Britain initially led in dreadnought production, but Germany's rapid naval expansion in the following years posed a significant challenge to British naval supremacy.
• ⚖️ The naval arms race contributed to escalating tensions between Britain and Germany, shifting their relationship from allies to potential adversaries.
• 🤝 Britain's response to the growing German fleet led to the signing of the Entente Cordiale with France, further drawing Britain into European affairs.
• 🔁 The arms race on land saw a significant increase in the size of European armies, with countries like France and Russia bolstering their forces in response to perceived threats.
• 📈 Germany's military strength was unmatched, with a well-trained and large army that was considered the strongest in Europe by 1914.
• 🇬🇧 Britain's focus on naval power came at the expense of its land forces, resulting in a decrease in the size of its army from 1900 to 1914.
• ⚔️ The overall arms race, both naval and land, heightened international tensions and contributed to the complex web of alliances and rivalries that ultimately led to World War I.

Q & A

What was Kaiser Wilhelm's stance on the German military?

Kaiser Wilhelm wanted a very large army, emphasizing Germany's military strength on land.

What was Britain's naval policy known as?

Britain's naval policy was known as the 'Two-Power Standard', which meant they wanted a Navy bigger than the next two navies combined.

What was the significance of the launch of the dreadnought?

The launch of the dreadnought marked a shift in naval power dynamics, as it was a new type of battleship that rendered older types obsolete.

How did the dreadnought affect Britain's naval supremacy?

Britain initially maintained naval supremacy by building more dreadnoughts than Germany, but the naval race challenged this dominance and increased tensions.

What was the term used by the Germans for dreadnoughts and what did it imply?

The Germans called dreadnoughts 'Fon ships', implying that any other ship would only last 5 minutes if faced by a dreadnought.

Which year marked the beginning of Germany's dreadnought production and how did it compare to Britain's production that year?

Germany began producing dreadnoughts in 1908, making two while Britain made two as well, but Germany had not produced any in the previous years.

How did the naval race between Britain and Germany escalate in the years leading up to WWI?

The naval race escalated with both countries increasing their dreadnought production, with Germany sometimes outproducing Britain, which heightened tensions.

What was the outcome of the naval race in terms of dreadnought numbers between Britain and Germany?

By the end of the naval race, Britain had built 29 dreadnoughts compared to Germany's 17, maintaining their naval supremacy.

How did the naval race contribute to the likelihood of World War I?

The naval race increased the perception of Germany as a threat by Britain, leading to a shift in alliances and contributing to the conditions that made World War I more likely.

What was the Entente Cordiale and how did it relate to the naval race?

The Entente Cordiale was an agreement between Britain and France, which was partly a response to the growing German naval threat, and it marked Britain's increased involvement in European affairs.

How did the arms race on land differ from the naval race?

The arms race on land involved a buildup of military forces across Europe, with countries forming alliances and increasing their armies, which led to heightened tensions and contributed to the outbreak of WWI.

Which alliance felt encircled by the other alliances during the arms race?

Germany felt encircled by the Entente Cordiale, which consisted of France, Russia, and Britain, while France and Russia felt threatened by Germany's territorial ambitions.

Outlines

00:00

🚢 World War I Naval Arms Race

This paragraph discusses the naval arms race leading up to World War I, focusing on the rivalry between Britain and Germany. Britain, with the largest navy, aimed to maintain a 'triple standard' to ensure its naval supremacy. The introduction of the dreadnought, a powerful new type of battleship, spurred an arms race as both nations sought to build these vessels. Britain initially led with more dreadnoughts, but Germany quickly caught up, causing Britain to view Germany as a potential threat. This naval rivalry, along with the signing of the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France, increased tensions and contributed to the likelihood of war. The paragraph highlights the strategic importance of naval power and the impact of the arms race on international relations.

05:02

🔥 The European Arms Race

The second paragraph delves into the land-based arms race that paralleled the naval competition. By 1907, Europe was divided into two major military alliances: the Triple Alliance consisting of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy, and the Triple Entente comprising France, Russia, and Britain. The secrecy of these alliances fueled mutual suspicions and fears of encirclement, particularly as each nation sought to expand its military might. The paragraph provides a snapshot of the military buildup in key European countries, noting the significant increase in the size of armies, especially Germany's. Despite Britain's focus on naval power, which led to a decrease in its land forces, the overall arms race heightened tensions and played a significant role in the outbreak of World War I. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to engage with the content and the channel.

Keywords

💡World War I

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global war that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved many of the world's major powers, organized into two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. The video discusses how the arms and naval races contributed to the tensions leading up to the war, with Britain and Germany being key players in the naval race.

💡Arms Race

An arms race is a competition between nations to increase the size and quality of their military forces. In the context of the video, the arms race refers to the period before World War I when European powers, particularly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain), were rapidly expanding their armies, leading to increased tensions and contributing to the outbreak of war.

💡Naval Race

The naval race was a competition between nations to build larger and more powerful navies. The video highlights the rivalry between Britain, which had the largest navy, and Germany, which sought to challenge Britain's naval supremacy. This competition led to the development and deployment of dreadnoughts, a new class of battleships, and further strained international relations.

💡Dreadnought

A dreadnought is a type of battleship that was introduced in the early 20th century and was significantly more powerful than previous warships. The video explains that the launch of the dreadnought by Britain in 1906 marked a turning point in naval warfare, as it prompted Germany and other nations to build their own dreadnoughts, escalating the naval arms race.

💡Triple Standard

The term 'triple standard' refers to Britain's naval policy of maintaining a fleet so powerful that it was superior to the combined strength of the next three largest navies. This policy is mentioned in the video as a key aspect of Britain's strategy to maintain its naval supremacy, which was challenged by Germany's naval expansion.

💡Kaiser Wilhelm II

Kaiser Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling from 1888 to 1918. The video script mentions him in relation to his desire for a large army, which was a factor in the arms race. His aggressive foreign policy and naval ambitions contributed to the tensions that led to World War I.

💡Entente Cordiale

The Entente Cordiale was a series of agreements signed in 1904 between Britain and France, aimed at resolving colonial disputes and improving relations. The video script discusses how this agreement, along with Britain's concerns over the growing German navy, led to Britain becoming more involved in European affairs and contributed to the formation of alliances that would play a role in the start of World War I.

💡Triple Alliance

The Triple Alliance was a military alliance established in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. In the video, it is mentioned as one of the two major alliances that emerged in Europe before World War I, leading to an escalation of the arms race and contributing to the war's outbreak.

💡Triple Entente

The Triple Entente was an alignment of three major powers — France, Russia, and Britain — formed in response to the Triple Alliance. The video explains how the formation of these opposing alliances created a tense atmosphere in Europe, where each side feared the other's military intentions, thus contributing to the conditions that led to World War I.

💡Alliance System

The alliance system refers to the network of treaties and agreements between different nations, which were intended to provide mutual protection but also contributed to the escalation of conflicts. The video highlights how the alliance system, including the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente, was one of the main reasons that World War I started, as it drew multiple nations into the conflict once it began.

💡Supremacy at Sea

Supremacy at sea refers to a nation's dominance in naval power, allowing it to control maritime trade routes and project power globally. The video emphasizes Britain's longstanding naval supremacy and how the naval race with Germany threatened this dominance, leading to a significant naval buildup by both nations.

Highlights

Kaiser Wilhelm's ambition for a large army and Britain's focus on maintaining naval supremacy.

Britain's naval strategy aimed to be triple the size of the next three navies combined.

Introduction of the dreadnought, a revolutionary class of warships that sparked an arms race.

Germany's initial lag behind Britain in dreadnought production, with no dreadnoughts made in 1906 and 1907.

Britain's naval supremacy in 1908 with two dreadnoughts compared to Germany's four.

Germany's naval expansion in 1909 with three dreadnoughts to Britain's two.

Britain's response to Germany's naval challenge by increasing dreadnought production.

The end result of the naval race with Britain having 29 dreadnoughts and Germany 17.

The naval race's impact on Britain's perception of Germany as a threat, increasing the likelihood of conflict.

The Anglo-French Entente Cordiale, a diplomatic agreement that drew Britain into European affairs.

The arms race on land, with Europe divided into two armed camps: the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.

Germany's perception of being encircled by the Triple Entente and its drive to expand its military.

The growth of the French and Russian armies in response to the perceived threat from Germany.

Germany's military strength, leading to the largest and best-trained army in Europe.

Britain's focus on naval power at the expense of its land army, resulting in a decrease in troop numbers.

The escalating arms race and its role in increasing tensions, contributing to the outbreak of World War I.

A call to action for viewers to subscribe to the channel and visit the website for more information.

Transcripts

[Music]

hi guys this is imar and today we are

looking at World War I and the arms race

and the naval race so first of all we're

going to look at the naval race now if

you've watched my Kaiser VH Helm's the

second video you'll know that Kaiser

vilhelm wanted a very large army and we

already know that Britain had the

largest Navy in the world they were a

very strong Navy it was their main thing

they didn't have loads of soldiers but

they had a very strong Navy and they

wanted to be triple standard which meant

that they wanted to have a Navy bigger

than the next three navies combined so

that was obviously massive but we need

to know a big part of the naval arms

race was the launch of the dreadnut and

this is where both um the dreadn

literally means fears nothing or

Fearless now the um Germans called them

Fon ships and that was because they were

estimated that they would um a another

ship would only last 5 minutes if faced

by a dreadn so Britain's Supremacy at C

had been based on the older type of

battles um ship so when the dreadnut was

um released this was a a chance for

Germany so now both of the countries

wanted to use these dreadnots to um to

build up their army so in in 1906 um

this was the when the dreads was

released by Admiral Fischer Britain made

one dreadnut and Germany made zero then

in 1907 Britain made three dreadnots and

Germany made zero so obviously Britain

start with the suprem with this

Supremacy at see and they make more

however in 1908 Germany actually make

two more than Britain because Britain

make two and Germany make four then

Germany make one more than Britain 1909

Germany make three Britain make two so

this is a bit of a worry for um Britain

because they're starting to be

challenged at sea so then in 19010

however Britain come back and they make

three and Germany make one Britain then

make five in 1911 Germany makes three

and this pattern continues until at the

end Britain have made 29 dreadnots

compared to Germany 17 so Britain still

have this Supremacy C but the problem is

it the the naval race does do a lot of

damage now they would believe that the

only reason that Germany was increasing

its fleet was because it wanted to

dominate Britain and Europe and this was

the reason why they were spending all

this money now although Britain were

actually a direct um they were direct

like allies with Germany they started to

see Germany as a threat and this meant

that the um that this meant that

basically the it was more likely that

Britain was going to fight against um

Germany and the naval rivalry basically

made World War I a more likely

possibility now because Britain was

becoming um wor by the size of um the

German naval fleet they also made an

agreement with um France called the onon

cordal if you watching my alliances

video um and basically this this meant

that um they started to become um

involved in uh European Affairs and as

well the onon cordal was one of the

reasons the alliance system was one of

the main reasons that World War I

actually started but now we're going to

start talking about the arms race which

is very different and um because it

obviously Naval races see armed races on

the land and by 1907 as I I've talked

about in my alliance video then um

Europe had been divided into two armed

camps and this was called The Triple

Alliance which consisted of Austria

Hungary Germany and Italy even though

they weren't too fond and then the

tripon taunt and that the triple on

taunt was um France Russia and umra

Britain so um the all the alliances were

defensive but the um as they were all

secret so this was not known so the all

countries were feared that each Lance

was um directly against them so Germany

felt that the onon codal um were trying

to encircle them whereas France and

Russia felt that Germany were trying to

expand its territory towards them so

this caused the Fierce and this is why

each of the army built um each of the

camps started to try and build up their

armies so if we look at the size of

armies in Europe um in 1900 1910 and

then 1914 when the war starts we can see

improvements in most of the countries um

and how they tried to build up so France

for example in 1900 they had 0.7 million

people they then built this up to 1

million people which is obviously quite

a few now um Russia however they did

have the largest army but they weren't

necessarily the best army there were

still the training wasn't the best and

this meant that they weren't as

successful as fighting but in 1900 they

1.1 million but after the fact that they

were defeated at Bosnia by Germany quite

easily they did try and build up their

army and ended up becoming um a major

superpower until they had 1.5 million

1914 however Germany were the strongest

of armies they were led the best and

they did have the strongest army and

they had 0.5 million people in 1900 and

then 0.8 in

1914 now Britain um did actually they

lost men in fact um because they were

that's that's the fact that they were

trying to do their Naval more than their

arm um their arms uh so that's why the

naval race which I mentioned before

obviously um caused Britain to actually

lose men which is why in 1900 they 0.5

million and then in 1914 they only had

0.4 million so all of this um building

up of arms created tensions between all

of the countries which was the main

reason why World War I actually broke

out because of obviously the 10 iions

are um building up as other countries

start to arm so thank you very much for

watching this video I really hope you

enjoyed it and you learned a lot from it

um for for now can you please subscribe

to my channel and visit my website the

links below thank you and see you soon

goodbye