Lesson 4: A European War

Question 1

Allied Powers Definition

Answer 1

the military alliance of France, Britain, Russia, Italy, and many other nations during World War I

Question 2

Central Powers Definition

Answer 2

the military alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire during World War I

Question 3

Kaiser Definition

Answer 3

the title of the German emperor

Question 4

Lusitania Definition

Answer 4

a British passenger ship that was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915; 1,200 people died, including 128 Americans

Question 5

Militarism Definition

Answer 5

the policy of building up strong armed forces to prepare for war

Question 6

Nationalism Definition

Answer 6

a devotion to one’s nation and its interests

Question 7

Neutral Definition

Answer 7

not taking sides in a conflict

Question 8

Propaganda Definition

Answer 8

the spreading of ideas to help a cause or hurt an opposing cause

Question 9

Stalemate Definition

Answer 9

a deadlock in which neither side is strong enough to defeat the other

Question 10

Terrorist Definition

Answer 10

one who deliberately uses violence to spread fear and achieve political goals

Question 11

Trench Warfare Definition

Answer 11

war combat in which soldiers are located in trenches dug into the ground

Question 12

U-boat Definition

Answer 12

a type of submarine used by Germany in World War I

Question 13

How did nationalism serve as a cause of World War I? What was nationalism, and what did European nationalists demand? How did nationalism create rivalries, such as the one between France and Germany and the one between Russia and Austria-Hungary?

Answer 13

One cause of this tension came from the extreme feelings of nationalism, or pride in one’s nation. In the 1870s, European nationalists demanded freedom and self-government. They believed that people with a common language and culture should throw off foreign rule and form their own countries. While nationalism encouraged unity, it also created mistrust and bitter rivalry between nations. For example, France and Germany had gone to war in 1870. When France lost the war, it had to give Germany the iron-rich territory of Alsace-Lorraine. The French never forgot this blow to their national pride. They hoped for an opportunity to regain their lost territory. In Eastern Europe, nationalism deepened hostility between Austria-Hungary and Russia. Russia encouraged Serbs and other minorities in Austria-Hungary to rise up against their rulers.

Question 14

How did Imperialism serve as a cause of World War I?

Answer 14

Another cause of problems in Europe came from imperialism. Between 1870 and 1914, rivalries expanded among powerful nations such as Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia as they scrambled for colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Often, several nations competed for power in the same region. This competition sometimes led to wars in places far from Europe.

Question 15

How did Militarism serve as a cause of World War I?

Answer 15

Militarism was a third source of tension. Militarism is the policy of building up strong armed forces to prepare for war. European nations expanded their armies and navies, creating new stresses. For example, Germany built up its navy. Britain responded by adding more ships to its fleet. This race for naval dominance strained relations between the two nations.

Question 16

What were the three causes that aided in the tensions going into World War I?

Answer 16

Nationalism, Imperialism, and Militarism

Question 17

What did European powers do to protect themselves? What was the alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy called? What was the alliance between France, Britain, and Russia called? How did this alliance system pose a new danger? When did the incident that caused the major war happen?

Answer 17

To protect themselves, European powers formed rival alliances. Germany organized the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy. France responded by linking itself to Russia and Britain in the Triple Entente (ahn TAHNT). The alliance system posed a new danger. Allies agreed to support one another in case of an attack. Thus, a crisis involving one member of an alliance also affected that nation’s allies. This meant that a minor incident could spark a major war. On June 28, 1914, that incident took place.

Question 18

How did nationalism cause turmoil in the Balkan Peninsula?

Answer 18

For years, nationalism had caused turmoil in the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. There, the rival nations of Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia battled for territory. At the same time, Balkan nationalists called on related ethnic groups in Austria-Hungary to throw off Austrian rule.

Question 19

In June 1914, why had Archduke Francis Ferdinand’s visit to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, angered members of the Black Hand? Who were the Black Hand, and what were their objectives?

Answer 19

In June 1914, a crisis that would have a devastating effect struck the region. Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. At the time, Bosnia was part of the Eastern European empire ruled by Austria-Hungary. Francis Ferdinand’s visit angered members of the Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist group. A terrorist uses threats and violence to promote a cause. The Black Hand wanted Bosnia to break away from Austria-Hungary and join Serbia.

Question 20

What happened on June 28, 1914? Who was Gavrilo Princip?

Answer 20

On June 28, the archduke and his wife, Sophie, rode through Sarajevo in an open car. Suddenly, a young terrorist named Gavrilo Princip stepped from the curb, waving a pistol. Taking aim, he fatally shot Francis Ferdinand and Sophie.

Question 21

In the days that followed Archduke Francis Ferdinand’s assassination, what did Austria-Hungary accuse Serbia of? After Austria-Hungary threatened war, why did Russia support Serbia? Why did diplomats fail in easing the conflict?

Answer 21

In the days that followed, Austria-Hungary accused the Serbian government of organizing the archduke’s assassination. When Austria-Hungary threatened war, Russia moved to protect Serbia. Diplomats rushed to ease tensions, but they could not stop the system of alliances from running its fateful course.

Question 22

On July 28, 1914, what did Austria Hungary do? What did Russia do in response? What did Germany do on August 1, 1914, and why? What did Germany do on August 3, 1914, and why? Why did Britain join in the war? What did Austria Hungary do on August 6, 1914?

Answer 22

On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The very next day, Russia ordered its forces to mobilize, or prepare for war. Austria-Hungary’s ally, Germany, called on Russia to cancel the mobilization order. When it received no reply, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1. On August 3, Germany declared war on Russia’s ally France. The next day, when German armies sliced through neutral Belgium on their march to France, Britain declared war on Germany. Long before, Britain had promised to defend Belgium if it were attacked. Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia on August 6. In this way, what began as a local crisis in Bosnia exploded into a major war.

Question 23

How long did Europeans on both sides of the conflict in World War I believe the war would last? Were they correct?

Answer 23

“You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees,” the kaiser, or German emperor, promised his troops as they marched off to war. Europeans on both sides of the conflict thought the war would end soon. They were mistaken.

Question 24

How long was World War I? What was its original name?

Answer 24

The war dragged on for four blood-soaked years, from 1914 to 1918. At the time, the conflict was called the Great War. Later, it became known as the First World War or World War I.

Question 25

Who were the Central Powers? Who were the Allied Powers? Which nation later joined the Allied Powers?

Answer 25

The war pitted the Central Powers—Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman, or Turkish, Empire—against the Allied Powers, which were France, Britain, and Russia. In time, several other nations, including Italy, joined the Allies.

Question 26

By November 1914, what had a German advance and an Allied counterattack created? What is a stalemate? What was the result of this? As both sides dug in, what were the different uses of trenches?

Answer 26

By November 1914, a German advance and an Allied counterattack had produced nothing but a deadly stalemate. A stalemate is a deadlock in which neither side is strong enough to defeat the other. For three years, the two armies fought huge battles but with little to show for them. Both sides dug in, creating a maze of trenches protected by barbed wire. Some trenches were shallow ditches. Others were elaborate tunnels that served as headquarters and first-aid stations. Between the frontline trenches of each side lay a “no man's land” of barbed wire.

Question 27

What occurred in trench warfare?

Answer 27

In trench warfare, soldiers spent day after day shelling the enemy trenches. An attack would begin with hours of heavy artillery fire. Then, on orders from an officer, the troops charged “over the top” of the trenches. Armed with their rifles, soldiers raced across “no man's land” to attack the enemy. With luck, they might overrun a few trenches. Before long, the enemy would launch a counterattack, with similar results. In this way, the struggle went on, back and forth, over a few hundred yards of territory.

Question 28

How were the new weapons of gas used in trench warfare?

Answer 28

A new weapon used on both sides was gas—chlorine and mustard were two types. The clouds of gas floated into the trenches, choking and blinding the soldiers.

Question 29

Because of the nature of trench warfare, how were offensives? How long was the Battle of Verdun in 1916 and what were its effects?

Answer 29

Because of the nature of trench warfare, most offensives were long and deadly. The Battle of Verdun lasted for 10 months in 1916. The Germans lost some 400,000 men trying to overrun French lines. The French lost even more lives defending their positions.

Question 30

What was happening in the east during the Battle of Verdun in 1916?

Answer 30

Meanwhile, in the East, the vast armies of Germany and Austria-Hungary faced off against those of Russia and Serbia. Stalemate and trench warfare brought deadly results there as well. By mid-1916, the Russians had lost more than one million soldiers. Yet, neither side could win a decisive victory.

Question 31

Remember: During World War I, soldiers on both sides fought from trenches dug in the ground. The trenches were built as networked paths allowing armies to move men, supplies, and equipment over great distances without being exposed to enemy fire.

Answer 31

During World War I, soldiers on both sides fought from trenches dug in the ground. The trenches were built as networked paths allowing armies to move men, supplies, and equipment over great distances without being exposed to enemy fire.

Question 32

When war broke out in Europe, what position did the United States government take?

Answer 32

When war broke out in Europe, the United States was determined to avoid being dragged into the conflict. The government adopted an official position of neutrality. Neutral means not taking sides in a conflict.

Question 33

How was public opinion in America split between the Central and Allied Powers?

Answer 33

Public opinion, however, was divided, often along ethnic lines. Most Americans favored the Allies because of long-standing ties of language, history, and culture through Britain. Also, the United States and France had been allies in the American Revolution. On the other hand, many of the 8 million Americans of German or Austrian descent favored the Central Powers. Millions of Irish Americans also sympathized with the Central Powers. They hated Britain, which had ruled Ireland for centuries. Many American Jews favored Germany over Russia. Some of them had fled persecution in Russia only a few years earlier.

Question 34

How did World War I affect the U.S. economy? How did this economic boom show an imbalance in American neutrality?

Answer 34

The war had several immediate effects on the United States. First, the economy boomed as American farmers and manufacturers rushed to fill orders for war goods. By 1917, trade with the Allies had greatly increased. Trade with the Central Powers also increased but by a much smaller amount. This trade imbalance meant that the United States was not strictly neutral.

Question 35

Remember: Although many Americans were in favor of the war, many others were against it. The pacifist position was shown in songs such as “I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier” in 1915.

Answer 35

Although many Americans were in favor of the war, many others were against it. The pacifist position was shown in songs such as “I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier” in 1915.

Question 36

How did the Central and Allied powers wage a propaganda war on America?

Answer 36

Both sides waged a propaganda war in the United States. Propaganda is the spreading of ideas that help a cause or hurt an opposing cause. Each side pictured the other as savage beasts who killed innocent civilians.

Question 37

As a neutral nation, what did the United States claim about their trading rights? Why did Britain blockade German ports? What did Germany do in response? What were U-boats? What did they mean for neutral trading countries?

Answer 37

As a neutral nation, the United States claimed the right to trade with either side in the conflict. Early in the war, however, Britain blockaded German ports, hoping to starve Germany into surrender. In response, Germany set up a blockade around Britain. To enforce the blockade, Germany used a powerful new weapon—a fleet of submarines known as U-boats. German U-boats attacked any ship that entered or left British ports. This meant that neutral ships would also be attacked.

Question 38

Why did German U-boats spark protest? What did Germany threaten neutral nations with? What was President Woodrow Wilson’s response?

Answer 38

U-boat attacks on neutral shipping raised a storm of protest. Under international law, a country at war could stop and search a neutral ship suspected of carrying war goods. However, German submarines were not equipped to conduct a search. After surfacing, they simply torpedoed enemy and neutral ships, often killing scores of civilians. Germany warned the United States and other neutral nations to keep their ships out of the blockade zone. President Wilson responded by vowing to hold Germany responsible if its U-boats caused any loss of American life or property.

Question 39

What happened to the Lusitania on May 7, 1915? What fear made the Germans agree to the Sussex Pledge? How did this influence American neutrality?

Answer 39

Germany ignored Wilson's warning. On May 7, 1915, a German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a British passenger ship, off the coast of Ireland. Nearly 1,200 people died, including 128 Americans. An outraged Wilson threatened to break off diplomatic relations, or official ties, if Germany did not stop sinking passenger ships. Germany was not ready to strengthen the Allies by drawing the United States into the war. It agreed to restrict its submarine campaign. Before attacking any ship, U-boats would surface and give warning. This agreement, called the Sussex Pledge, kept the United States out of the war a little longer.

Question 40

New Technologies of WWI: Machine Guns

Answer 40

The German military began using machine guns first, but those guns were quickly put into use by both sides. Early models were heavy and mounted on tripods. Improvements made them lighter, for use on planes and ships.

Question 41

New Technologies of WWI: Grenade

Answer 41

A grenade is a small explosive device. Soldiers threw them into enemy trenches by hand or launched them with rifles. Widely used by Germany at the outbreak of war, the Allies quickly increased their production. Notice that the soldier throwing the grenade is also wearing a gas mask.

Question 42

New Technologies of WWI: Zeppelin

Answer 42

A zeppelin is an airship with an internal framework filled with gas and covered with fabric. Germany used zeppelins to drop bombs and to spy on the enemy. In response, the Allies developed bullets that made zeppelins catch fire when shot. Zeppelins along with the airplane brought warfare to the skies during World War I in ways never seen before.

Question 43

New Technologies of WWI: Flamethrower

Answer 43

Flamethrowers use fuel to launch a stream of fire at the enemy. They were used for the first time during World War I. Germany was the first to use them, and later the Allies adopted them. Flamethrowers were terrifying and effective at clearing trenches from close range.

Question 44

New Technologies of WWI: Mustard gas

Answer 44

Mustard gas is a colorless, odorless gas that causes blistering, blindness, respiratory bleeding, and death. Germany first used it as a weapon against Russia in 1917. The Allies had to create new masks and respirators for protection.

Question 45

New Technologies of WWI: Airplanes

Answer 45

Airplanes were still new in 1914. The military led advances in flight technology, making planes faster, lighter, and easier to fly. By 1918, leaders realized planes could be used for bombings and other attacks. Pilots also battled each other in the skies in the first “dogfights.”