World War 1 Flashcards
What are the MAIN causes of WW1?
Militarism: military power was glorified (realpolitik), military spending tripled, new weapons created, German naval expansion
Alliance System: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy allied to create the Triple Alliance while Britain, France, and Russia made the Triple Entente. The Treaty of London agreed to defend the neutrality and independence of Belgium
Imperial Tensions: Countries competed for colonies and territory increasing tension. The Berlin COnference only delayed open conflict
Nationalism: Extreme pride led to disputes over who was the best. Nations wanted to increase in size and independence. Rivalry between France and Germany. Serbian Nationalism in Austria-Hungary and the Balkans
What was the Powder Keg of Europe and why was it called that?
The Balkan Peninsula became unstable during the decline of the Ottoman Empire and started to declare its independence. Serbia officially declares its independence and grows nationalism.
What countries were in the Triple Alliance vs. the Triple Entente?
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, and Russia
What countries were in the Allied Powers vs. the Central Powers?
Allied Powers: France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Greece, and America
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria
Who and what caused the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and did this event cause?
Cause: A member of the Black Hand, Gavrilo Princip assassinates the Archduke because Serbia viewed him as a threat to Serbian independence, particularly due to Austria-Hungary’s colonization of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a region with a large Serbian population, which the Black Hand sought to liberate and unite with Serbia.
Effect: Austria-Hungary tells Serbia to turn over the members of the Black Hand or face war, but Serbia refuses, counting on support from Russia. Germany gives Austria-Hungary a “blank check” - telling them they will support them in a war with Serbia, so Austria-Hungary declares war
What was the Schlieffen Plan? What were the Western and Eastern Fronts?
Germany’s battle strategy: Attack and defeat France first through Belgium on the west and then crush Russia to the east to avoid simultaneous war on either sides. This didn’t work since the war against France wasn’t as hasty as planned, in fact, it was a stalemate.
The Dardanelles or the Gallipoli Campaign:
The Allies wanted to obtain the Ottoman-controlled Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey as a supply route to Russia and fought for the water route. This fighting continued for a while so the Bristish began to encourage a revolt of the Arab population within the Ottoman Empire against Turkish rulers in promise of self rule at the war’s end.
What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
Due to unprecedented events in Russia during the war, a Lenin-led communist revolution, Russia gave up 25% of its land to Germany and withdrew from the war.
Describe Trench Warfare:
- Armies dug miles of trenches and stayed there for weeks until they heard the order to go “over the top” into “no man’s land”
- tried to reach enemies and gain land
- stalemate
- huge casualties
What new weapons were introduced during WW1?
- machine guns
- tanks
- submarines
- poison gas
- airplanes
- flamethrower
What was the purpose of propaganda during WW1?
- used to encourage efforts on the home front
- used to manipulate to gain sympathy for the cause and dehumanize enemy
What caused Germany to join the war?
Germany gives Austria-Hungary a “blank check” - telling them they will support them in a war with Serbia, so Austria-Hungary declares war
What caused Russia to join the war?
to support its fellow heavily Slavic-populated country, Serbia.
What caused the UK to join the war?
Germany’s violation of Belgian neutrality and British fears of German domination in Europe
What caused France to join the war?
after Germany declared war on France since they were military allies with Russia
