History exam Flashcards
What is militarism?
Militarism is the belief in building strong armed forces to prepare for war.
How did militarism contribute to World War I?
It led to an arms race, increasing tension and making war seem inevitable.
What were the two major alliances before World War I?
The Triple Entente (France, Britain, and Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy).
Why did alliances contribute to the outbreak of World War I?
Alliances meant that a conflict between two countries could draw in others, escalating into a larger war.
What is imperialism?
Imperialism is the competition for colonies and global dominance.
How did imperialism increase tensions between European powers?
Rivalries over territories, especially in Africa and Asia, created conflicts and distrust among nations.
What is nationalism?
Nationalism is a sense of pride in one’s nation and a desire for independence or dominance.
How did nationalism contribute to tensions in Europe?
In the Balkans, Slavic nationalism and rival ambitions from Austria-Hungary and Serbia created a volatile situation.
What event is considered the immediate cause of World War I?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914.
Why is World War I often described as a “powder keg”?
The M.A.I.N. causes created a highly tense and unstable situation in Europe, with the assassination acting as the spark that set it off.
Who was assassinated on June 28, 1914?
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife.
Where did the assassination take place?
In Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
What group was responsible for the assassination?
The Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group.
Why did Serbia want control of Bosnia-Herzegovina?
Serbia believed it shared strong religious, cultural, and ethnic ties with the people there.
What role did Serbia’s ties to Russia play in the conflict?
Many Serbian nationalists felt connected to Russia, which later came to Serbia’s defense.
How did Austria-Hungary respond to the assassination?
Austria-Hungary used the assassination as an excuse to invade Serbia.
Which country supported Serbia after Austria-Hungary invaded?
Russia, due to its agreement to defend Serbia.
What role did alliances play in escalating the conflict?
Germany backed Austria-Hungary, while Britain and France supported Russia, quickly involving much of Europe.
How long after the assassination did Europe go to war?
Just over a month after the assassination, all of Europe was at war.
What does M.A.I.N mean?
-Militarism
-Alliances
-Imperialism
-Nationalism
What was the Schlieffen Plan?
It was Germany’s military strategy to avoid a two-front war by defeating France quickly in the west and then turning to fight Russia in the east.
Who created the Schlieffen Plan?
General Alfred von Schlieffen in 1905.
Why did Germany feel the need for the Schlieffen Plan?
Germany was surrounded by potential enemies, France in the west and Russia in the east, and wanted to avoid fighting a war on two fronts simultaneously.
Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail?
- Belgium resisted the German invasion, delaying the advance.
- Britain entered the war to defend Belgium’s neutrality.
- Russia mobilized its army faster than expected.
- The German advance was stopped at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914.
What does “Blitzkrieg” mean?
Blitzkrieg” means “lightning war” in German.
What was the primary goal of Blitzkrieg?
To achieve a quick and decisive victory by overwhelming the enemy with speed and force.
What were the main components of Blitzkrieg?
Tanks, aircraft, and infantry working together in rapid, coordinated attacks.
What was the most common infantry weapon in World War I?
Rifles were the standard infantry weapon.
What weapon caused heavy casualties in trench warfare by firing hundreds of rounds per minute?
Machine guns
Why were tanks introduced during World War I?
To cross trenches and break through enemy lines.
What were the effects of poison gas on soldiers?
It caused suffocation, blindness, and severe injuries.
Which country used submarines (U-boats) extensively in WWI?
Germany
What is propaganda?
Propaganda is the use of media and messaging to influence public opinion or behavior, often by promoting specific political ideas or war efforts.
Why was propaganda widely used during World War I?
Governments used propaganda to boost morale, recruit soldiers, justify the war, and encourage support from civilians.
What is a political cartoon?
A political cartoon is an illustration or comic that uses humor, satire, or symbolism to comment on political events, social issues, or public figures.
What techniques do political cartoons often use to convey their message?
- Exaggeration: Overstating physical features or situations for emphasis.
- Symbolism: Using objects or characters to represent broader ideas.
- Labeling: Adding text to clarify meaning.
- Irony: Highlighting contradictions to critique actions or decisions.
- Analogy: Drawing comparisons to make a complex issue more understandable.
What was the Western Front?
It was the line of trenches stretching through Belgium and France where much of the fighting in World War I occurred.
What was “no man’s land”?
The area between opposing trenches, which neither side controlled. It was filled with barbed wire, shell holes, and deadly hazards.
What did “go over the top” mean in trench warfare?
It was the command for soldiers to leave their trenches and charge into no man’s land to attack the enemy.
How was trench warfare different from traditional warfare?
- Traditional warfare involved direct, face-to-face attacks with clear rules of engagement.
- Trench warfare relied on defensive positions, artillery, and prolonged battles with minimal territorial gains.
What was the Treaty of Versailles?
The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty that ended World War I, signed on June 28, 1919, between Germany and the Allied Powers.
What was the main goal of the Treaty of Versailles?
To punish Germany for its role in World War I and prevent future wars.
What was the League of Nations?
An international organization established by the Treaty of Versailles to promote peace and prevent future conflicts.
Was Germany allowed to join the League of Nations?
No, Germany was initially excluded from the League of Nations.
What is total war?
Total war is when a whole country, including its people and resources, is focused on winning a war.
What are the main features of total war?
- Everyone and everything is used to help the war effort.
- Civilians are involved, not just soldiers.
- Propaganda is used to keep people motivated.
- Civilians and towns can become targets.
- New weapons and ideas are used in battles.
How did total war change women’s roles?
Women worked in factories, took care of farms, and helped in jobs that men usually did because the men were fighting.
What happened to society after total war?
- Countries faced money problems and needed to rebuild.
- Women and men’s roles in society changed.
- There was a lot of damage and many lives lost.
When was the League of Nations founded?
It was founded in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
Why did some countries leave the League of Nations?
Countries like Japan, Germany, and Italy left because they disagreed with its decisions or actions.
What was the War Guilt Clause?
The War Guilt Clause was Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, which blamed Germany for starting World War I.
What did the War Guilt Clause require Germany to do?
- Accept responsibility for starting the war.
- Pay massive reparations to the Allied powers.
What is an armistice?
An armistice is an agreement to stop fighting, usually temporarily, while terms for peace are negotiated.
When was the armistice that ended World War I signed?
The armistice ending World War I was signed on November 11, 1918
