WWI

Question 1

What does M.A.I.N. stand for in the context of the reasons for World War 1?

Answer 1

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

Question 2

Define militarism.

Answer 2

The policy of building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.

Question 3

What were the two major alliances formed prior to World War 1?

Answer 3

• Triple Alliance: Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy
• Triple Entente: France, Russia, Britain

Question 4

What is imperialism?

Answer 4

The competition among nations for power in the same region.

Question 5

How did nationalism contribute to the tensions leading to World War 1?

Answer 5

Extreme feelings of pride in one’s nation fueled tensions among empires.

Question 6

What event sparked the beginning of World War 1?

Answer 6

The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.

Question 7

Who was Gavrilo Princip?

Answer 7

The assassin of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, a member of the Black Hand.

Question 8

What is a terrorist?

Answer 8

A person who uses threats and violence to promote a cause.

Question 9

What was the reaction of Austria-Hungary after the assassination of the archduke?

Answer 9

Austria-Hungary accused the Serbian government of organizing the assassination and threatened war.

Question 10

What were the Central Powers in World War 1?

Answer 10

• Germany
• Austria-Hungary
• Bulgaria
• Ottoman Empire

Question 11

What were the Allied Powers in World War 1?

Answer 11

• France
• Britain
• Russia
• 21 other nations including Italy

Question 12

What does stalemate mean in the context of World War 1?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is ‘No Man’s Land’?

Answer 13

The area between the front-line trenches of each side, often filled with barbed wire.

Question 14

What does the phrase ‘Over the top’ refer to?

Answer 14

An order for troops to leave their trenches and attack across No Man’s Land.

Question 15

What was the Battle of Verdun?

Answer 15

A battle that lasted for 10 months with heavy losses for both the Germans and French.

Question 16

What was the significance of the Russian Revolution during World War 1?

Answer 16

It led to the overthrow of the czar and changed the political landscape in Russia.

Question 17

What was the Lusitania?

Answer 17

A British passenger ship torpedoed by a German submarine, leading to the death of nearly 1,200 people.

Question 18

What was the Sussex Pledge?

Answer 18

An agreement by Germany to restrict its submarine warfare after Wilson threatened to cut diplomatic relations.

Question 19

What is the Zimmerman Telegram?

Answer 19

A secret note from Germany urging Mexico to attack the U.S. if war was declared.

Question 20

What was the purpose of the Selective Service Act?

Answer 20

To require all men ages 21-30 to register for the military draft.

Question 21

Who were the Harlem Hell Fighters?

Answer 21

The 369th U.S. Infantry, known for their bravery and awarded the Croix de Guerre.

Question 22

What was the role of women during World War 1?

Answer 22

Women took on jobs traditionally held by men and contributed to war industries.

Question 23

What were Liberty Bonds?

Answer 23

Loans made by citizens to the government to help pay for the war, raising $21 billion.

Question 24

Who was Alvin York?

Answer 24

A decorated U.S. soldier who played a significant role in the Battle of Argonne Forest.

Question 25

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Answer 25

A treaty that ended Russia's participation in World War 1, requiring Russia to give up large amounts of land.

Question 26

What was the American Expeditionary Force (AEF)?

Answer 26

The U.S. military force sent to Europe during World War 1, led by General John J. Pershing.

Question 27

What does armistice mean?

Answer 27

An agreement to stop fighting.

Question 28

What were the two conditions of Wilson's armistice?

Answer 28

* Germany must accept his plan for peace * The German emperor must abdicate

Question 29

What was the mortality rate after World War 1?

Answer 29

Between 8 million and 9 million people died in the battle.

Question 30

What was the total number of casualties during the war?

Answer 30

100,000 casualties ## Footnote This includes military and civilian losses.

Question 31

Who was Sergeant Alvin York?

Answer 31

Most decorated U.S. soldier during the war, wiped out a nest of German machine gunners ## Footnote From Tennessee and played a significant role during the Battle of Argonne Forest.

Question 32

What does 'Armistice' mean?

Answer 32

Agreement to stop fighting ## Footnote It signifies a ceasefire between conflicting parties.

Question 33

What were the two conditions of Wilson’s Armistice?

Answer 33

* Germany must accept his plan for peace * German emperor must abdicate

Question 34

What was the estimated mortality rate after the war?

Answer 34

Between 8 million and 9 million people died ## Footnote Includes both military personnel and civilians.

Question 35

How many U.S. soldiers lost their lives in the war?

Answer 35

Over 100,000 men ## Footnote This figure reflects the American military casualties.

Question 36

What was the impact of the flu epidemic between 1918 and 1919?

Answer 36

More than ½ a million Americans died ## Footnote The epidemic killed over 30 million people worldwide.

Question 37

What were the Fourteen Points?

Answer 37

Wilson’s plan for peace aimed to prevent future wars ## Footnote It included principles like self-determination and no secret agreements.

Question 38

What is self-determination?

Answer 38

The right of national groups to have their own territory and forms of government ## Footnote A key principle in Wilson's Fourteen Points.

Question 39

What was the purpose of the League of Nations?

Answer 39

To protect the independence of all countries ## Footnote Its formation was part of Wilson’s peace plan.

Question 40

Who were the Big Four?

Answer 40

* U.S. (Woodrow Wilson) * Britain (David Lloyd George) * France (Georges Clemenceau) * Italy (Vittorio Orlando)

Question 41

What are reparations?

Answer 41

Cash payments for the losses suffered during the war ## Footnote Allies wanted Germany to pay reparations after the conflict.

Question 42

What was the 'War Guilt Clause'?

Answer 42

Allies expected the U.S. to force Germany to accept responsibility for the war ## Footnote This clause was part of the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 43

What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 43

* Germany had to take full blame for the war * Pay Allies $300 billion in reparations * Limited the size of the German military * Took away overseas colonies from Germany

Question 44

What did isolationists believe?

Answer 44

They wanted the U.S. to stay out of world affairs ## Footnote They opposed the League of Nations due to concerns about entangling alliances.

Question 45

Who was Henry Cabot Lodge?

Answer 45

A Republican from Massachusetts who accepted the idea of the League of Nations but wanted changes ## Footnote He objected to Article 10 of the League's charter.

Question 46

What was Article 10 of the League of Nations?

Answer 46

Called for the League to protect any member whose independence or territory was threatened ## Footnote Lodge claimed it could involve the U.S. in future wars.

Question 47

Did Congress ultimately decide to join the League of Nations?

Answer 47

No ## Footnote The decision reflected the isolationist sentiment in the U.S. at the time.