Tension between Britain and Germany over South Africa

International recognition of Japan as a world power, wars with China (1894-95) and Russia (1905), treaty with Britain (1902)

Japan’s role in the First World War and global position by 1918

Reasons for rapid modernisation and military development

Reasons for, and impact of, the Spanish-American War (1898)

Impact of the closing of the frontier on US foreign policy

Economic growth and the need for trade in the late nineteenth century

Reasons for, and impact of, the USA’s entry into the First World War

Reactions of victors and defeated powers

Reparations

Key terms and implications of the peace treaties (Versailles, Trianon, Neuilly, Saint Germain, Sévres)

Problems in ‘successor states’ created by the post-war settlements