World War I Flashcards
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
June 28, 1914: The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated in Sarajevo.
Sparked the July Crisis leading to WWI.
June 28, 1914: The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated in Sarajevo.
Sparked the July Crisis leading to WWI.
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
July 28, 1914: Austria-Hungary’s response to the assassination, marking the war’s beginning.
Triggered alliance obligations, escalating into a full-scale war.
July 28, 1914: Austria-Hungary’s response to the assassination, marking the war’s beginning.
Triggered alliance obligations, escalating into a full-scale war.
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
Battle of the Marne
September 6-12, 1914: First major WWI battle, halted the German advance. Casualties: ~500,000 combined.
Prevented German occupation of Paris, leading to trench warfare on the Western Front.
September 6-12, 1914: First major WWI battle, halted the German advance. Casualties: ~500,000 combined.
Prevented German occupation of Paris, leading to trench warfare on the Western Front.
Battle of the Marne
First Battle of Ypres
October to November 1914: Allies and Germany fought for control of Ypres. Casualties: ~105,000 Allies, ~82,000 Germans.
Marked the end of the Race to the Sea and the beginning of trench warfare.
October to November 1914: Allies and Germany fought for control of Ypres. Casualties: ~105,000 Allies, ~82,000 Germans.
Marked the end of the Race to the Sea and the beginning of trench warfare.
First Battle of Ypres
Gallipoli Campaign
April 25, 1915 - January 9, 1916: Allied attempt to secure a sea route to Russia. Casualties: ~250,000 per side
Demonstrated the difficulties of amphibious warfare, and bolstered national identities in Australia and New Zealand.
April 25, 1915 - January 9, 1916: Allied attempt to secure a sea route to Russia. Casualties: ~250,000 per side
Demonstrated the difficulties of amphibious warfare, and bolstered national identities in Australia and New Zealand.
Gallipoli Campaign
Sinking of the Lusitania
May 7, 1915: German U-boat sank the British liner, killing 1,198.
Turned public opinion in neutral countries against Germany, moving the US closer to entering the war.
May 7, 1915: German U-boat sank the British liner, killing 1,198.
Turned public opinion in neutral countries against Germany, moving the US closer to entering the war.
Sinking of the Lusitania
Battle of Verdun
February 21 - December 18, 1916: Longest battle of WWI, French and Germans. Casualties: ~377,000 French, ~337,000 German.
Symbolized the attritional nature of WWI, “bleeding white” the French Army.
February 21 - December 18, 1916: Longest battle of WWI, French and Germans. Casualties: ~377,000 French, ~337,000 German.
Symbolized the attritional nature of WWI, “bleeding white” the French Army.
Battle of Verdun
Battle of the Somme
July 1 - November 18, 1916: Allied offensive aiming to break through German lines. Casualties: ~1 million combined.
Showed the futility of trench warfare, the first use of tanks in combat.
July 1 - November 18, 1916: Allied offensive aiming to break through German lines. Casualties: ~1 million combined.
Showed the futility of trench warfare, the first use of tanks in combat.
Battle of the Somme
Russian Revolution
1917: Led to the downfall of the Russian Empire and the end of Tsarist autocracy.
Resulted in Russia’s withdrawal from WWI and the establishment of a communist government.
The United States Enters the War
April 6, 1917: The US joined the Allies after several provocations, including the Zimmermann Telegram.
Provided a significant boost to the Allies in terms of resources and morale.
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)
July 31 - November 6, 1917: Marked by heavy rain and mud. Casualties: ~325,000 Allied, ~260,000 German.
Illustrated the horrors and stalemate of trench warfare.
July 31 - November 6, 1917: Marked by heavy rain and mud. Casualties: ~325,000 Allied, ~260,000 German.
Illustrated the horrors and stalemate of trench warfare.
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)
German Spring Offensive
March 21 - July 18, 1918: Germany’s final major offensive. Casualties: ~688,000 combined.
Ultimately failed, leading to a successful counter-offensive by the Allies.
March 21 - July 18, 1918: Germany’s final major offensive. Casualties: ~688,000 combined.
Ultimately failed, leading to a successful counter-offensive by the All
German Spring Offensive
Hundred Days Offensive
August 8 - November 11, 1918: Allied counter-offensive that led to the war’s end. Casualties: ~1.8 million combined.
Forced the German retreat and led to the Armistice.
August 8 - November 11, 1918: Allied counter-offensive that led to the war’s end. Casualties: ~1.8 million combined.
Forced the German retreat and led to the Armistice.
Hundred Days Offensive
Treaty of Versailles
June 28, 1919: Peace treaty formally ended the state of war.
Imposed heavy reparations on Germany, sowed seeds for WWII.
Triple Entente
An alliance formed in the early 20th century between France, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
This alliance was part of the complex pre-war European alliance network and aimed to counter the perceived threat of the Triple Alliance.
An alliance formed in the early 20th century between France, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
This alliance was part of the complex pre-war European alliance network and aimed to counter the perceived threat of the Triple Alliance.
Triple Entente
Triple Alliance
A pre-World War I agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, formed in 1882 and lasting until Italy’s exit in 1915.
The alliance was intended for mutual defense against aggression by other great powers and played a significant role in the network of alliances leading to WWI.
A pre-World War I agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, formed in 1882 and lasting until Italy’s exit in 1915.
The alliance was intended for mutual defense against aggression by other great powers and played a significant role in the network of alliances leading to WWI.
Triple Alliance
Schlieffen Plan
A strategic plan developed by German General Count Alfred von Schlieffen in the early 20th century, aiming for a quick defeat of France through a rapid advance through Belgium and Luxembourg before turning east to face Russia.
The plan was implemented at the onset of WWI but ultimately failed.
A strategic plan developed by German General Count Alfred von Schlieffen in the early 20th century, aiming for a quick defeat of France through a rapid advance through Belgium and Luxembourg before turning east to face Russia.
The plan was implemented at the onset of WWI but ultimately failed.
Schlieffen Plan
Trench Warfare
A form of warfare characterized by opposing armies fighting from long, dug-out trenches.
This method of combat became emblematic of the Western Front in World War I, where it led to a stalemate and horrendous living conditions, with little territorial gain over long periods.