ww1 terms Flashcards
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Defintion
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914, by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, directly triggered the outbreak of World War I.
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Significance
His death set off a** chain reaction** of diplomatic crises, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.** This escalated into a global conflict as alliances pulled major powers into war, ultimately igniting World War I.**
Triple Alliance/Triple Entente Defintion
The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain) were opposing military alliances formed before World War I.
Triple Alliance/Triple Entente Significance
These alliances created a rigid system of mutual defense that turned regional conflicts into a world war. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, the alliances activated, pulling multiple nations into the conflict.
Schieffler Plan Defintion
The Schlieffer Plan was Germany’s military strategy for avoiding a two-front war by quickly defeating France before turning to fight Russia.
Schieffler Plan Significance
Its failure led to prolonged trench warfare on the Western Front, as Germany was unable to secure a swift victory over France. The plan’s execution also brought Britain into the war when Germany invaded Belgium, escalating the conflict further.
First Battle of the Marne
Definition
Fought in September 1914, the First Battle of the Marne was a critical Allied victory that halted the German advance into France and forced a retreat.
First Battle of the Marne
Significance
This battle** ended Germany’s hopes for a quick victory under the Schlieffen Plan **and led to the establishment of trench warfare on the Western Front. It marked the beginning of a prolonged and grueling stalemate that would define much of World War I.
Trench Warfare Defintion
Trench warfare was a military strategy in World War I in which opposing armies dug extensive networks of fortified trenches to defend their positions.
Trench Warfare Significance
It led to a brutal war of attrition, with soldiers enduring horrific conditions, disease, and massive casualties for minimal territorial gains. This style of warfare, particularly on the Western Front, prolonged the conflict and shaped the war’s devastating nature.
Ottoman Empire/Sick Man of Europe
Defintion
The Ottoman Empire, often called the “Sick Man of Europe,” was a declining multiethnic empire that joined World War I on the side of the Central Powers.
Ottoman Empire/Sick Man of Europe
Significance
Its weakening grip on its vast territories made it vulnerable to nationalist uprisings and external pressure. The empire’s defeat in the war led to its dissolution, paving the way for the modern Middle East and the creation of Turkey.
- ottoman empire failure = paved the way for the modern Middle East and the creation of Turkey.
Armenian Genocide
Defintion
The Armenian Genocide was the systematic massacre and forced deportation of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman government during World War I.
Armenian Genocide
Significance
It was one of the first modern genocides, setting a precedent for state-led mass killings in the 20th century. Despite overwhelming historical evidence, the genocide remains a subject of political controversy, with some governments still refusing to officially recognize it.
U-Boats Defintion
U-boats were German submarines used in World War I to disrupt enemy shipping, particularly targeting Allied supply lines.
U-Boats Significance
Their unrestricted submarine warfare, including the sinking of civilian and neutral ships like the Lusitania, contributed to American entry into the war. U-boats revolutionized naval warfare, demonstrating the effectiveness of submarine combat and leading to new anti-submarine strategies.
Chemical Warfare Defintion
Chemical warfare involved the use of toxic gases, such as chlorine and mustard gas, to inflict mass casualties and psychological terror on enemy troops.
Chemical Warfare Significance
First widely used in World War I, chemical weapons caused horrific injuries and deaths, leading to lasting health effects for soldiers. The widespread suffering and inhumane nature of chemical warfare** led to international bans**, such as the 1925 Geneva Protocol.
Russian Revolution Definition
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of uprisings that led to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of a communist government under the Bolsheviks.
- overthrow of current gove + established communist gov
Russian Revolution Significance
It ended centuries of Romanov rule and withdrew Russia from World War I, allowing Germany to focus on the Western Front. The revolution also led to the creation of the Soviet Union, profoundly shaping global politics throughout the 20th century.
Zimmerman Telegram Defintion
The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret message sent by Germany to Mexico in 1917, proposing a military alliance against the United States in exchange for the return of lost territories.
Zimmerman Telegram Significance
Its interception and publication outraged the American public, increasing support for U.S. entry into World War I. The telegram highlighted the global stakes of the war and demonstrated the power of intelligence in shaping wartime decisions.
Treaty of Versailles
Defintion
Signed in 1919, the Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I and imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and heavy reparations.
Treaty of Versailles
Significance
The treaty’s severe terms created economic hardship and political instability in Germany, fueling resentment that contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and World War II.** It also redrew national borders, setting the stage for future conflicts in Europe and beyond.**
