Unit 8 P&Ts Flashcards
King Leopold II of Belgium
seized Belgian congo without his government, claiming “humanitarian concern for Africans”. Actually used economic exploitation for rubber and ivory. Belgium was given territory in 1908 after Leopold’s crimes were exposed. Halfed the population in 30 years and hurt the africans
Afrikaner
Dutch that settled in South Africa around the Cape of Good Hope. Opposed new British rule then eventually formed a pact with them. Forced the rule of European minority over the majority black/nonwhite in south Africa
Alliances
Countries agreeing to help each other if faced with war, rebellion, etc. Political causes, usually don’t last
Balkans
Many wars fought over this area, some that were the catalyst for WWI. Crimean war due to Russia trying to invade the Balkans. Alliances broken up because of Russia’s attempts in imperializing into the Balkan peninsula
Kaiser William II
German monarch that came into power while Bismarck was in office and fired bismark. Believed that he ruled by divine right and he wanted recognition like Queen Victoria: Wanted navy and colonies like Britain, which was against what Bismark was working for
Boer
South African Natives and inhabitants that resisted British expansion. Aided by Germans and added to the new German-British rivalry
Woodrow Wilson
American president that was angered by the drowning of American citizens by the Germans in WWI. When Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, Wilson declared war on Germany and entered WWI. Wilson participated in the paris peace conference but did not enter the League of Nations
Nicholas II
Weak and incompetent Russian Tsar that produced mass casualties, hunger, strikes, and military disorganization. Took person command of the army and let corrupt ministers come in making the Duma unhappy
Gregory Rasputin
Peasant faith healer that dominated Nicholas II and basically ran Russian government, contributed to the dislike of Nicholas II
Duma
Russian parliament that was unhappy with Nicholas II. When Nicholas II abdicated, it took over the government and created the provisional government consisting of constitutional democrats
March Revolution
Not organized or led by any specific political faction but was result of the collapse of the monarchy. The government fell into the hands of the Duma that created the provisional government
Provisional Government
created by the Duma after Tsar Nicholas II abdicated. Composed mostly of constitutional democrats. Remained loyal to Russian’s alliances and continued in the war
Soviet
Councils of workers and soldiers constituted of Russian socialists. They were unhappy with the provisional government because it failed to control the army or to purge reactionaries from the government
Vladimir Lenin
Germans of Bolshevik wing of SPD rushed Lenin from his exile, hoping he would cause trouble for revolutionary government. Believed in themes of Peace, Land, and Bread. Uprising failed. He came back, and convinced Bolsheviks to seize government.
Leninism
Socialist ideal that there needed to be a revolution against democracy by the united workers and peasants in order for there to be a perfect socialist community
“Peace, Land, and Bread”
Theme that Lenin focused on to achieve the political alliance of workers and peasants, advocating socialist society
Leon Trotsky
Lenin’s chief collaborate that led the Petrograd soviet and organized the coup that assaulted the provisional government (worked with Bolsheviks)
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Bolshevik government pulled Russia out of the war and signed this treaty. Russia yielded Poland, Finland, the Baltic states, and Ukraine, Also had to pay a heavy war indemnity
Fourteen Points
American War aims. Idealistic principles (self-determination for nationalities, open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, disarmament, establishment of League of nations)
Mandates
Territories that were legally administered under the auspices of the League of Nations but were ruled as colonies
ie Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon
Balfour Declaration
British seemed to accept Zionist ideology and to promise the Jews a national home in Palestine
Conflicted with Anglo-French agreement to divide the Near East between themselves
Reparations
Germany had to pay for the lives and property that were destroyed during the war, but countries couldn’t agree on how much that was
War Guilt Clause
Used to justify huge reparation payments. Says Germany assumes all responsibility for loss and damage during the war
Alexander III
Early Russian Tsar that believed the reform was a mistake and instituted “exceptional measures”. Undid the reform towards democracy and constitutional reform
Cheka
Red secret police that targeted opponents of the new regime (wWar communism). Class enemies were enforced and terror against all within the Bolshevik regime
October Revolution
Revolution that overthrew Nicholas II and made him grant civil liberties and create a Duma that he later revoked with Stolypin
British East India Company
Private trading company that subjugated a lot of India. After an attempt revolt British Parliament directly ruled India
Conscription
A military draft that contributed to the growth of large mass armies. Regular practice in most Western countries, with the exception of Britain and USA
Militarism
aggressive military preparedness due to conscription and mobilization pre-WWI. Increase in leaders and definitiveness of works and plans
Mobilization
Military policy of quickly moving millions of men and quantities of supplies for wars. Plans of mobilization could not be altered and wasn’t the most efficent
Total war
everything was mobilized for the war effort: citizens, soldiers, and all resources. Affected all citizens throughout europe
