WWI Flashcards
What is the primary driver of National Interest?
Economic Prosperity, Security and Safety, Beliefs and Values
National Interest is influenced by these three main areas.
What does Economic Prosperity focus on?
Providing stable employment and standard of living for citizens
This includes government actions like passing laws and making trade treaties.
What are key aspects of Security and Safety in National Interest?
Protecting citizens, securing national borders, resolving differences with treaties or war
Ensuring personal safety and controlling immigration are also included.
What does Beliefs and Values in National Interest promote?
Affirming and promoting citizens’ cultures, values, and beliefs
It also involves ensuring a quality of life and respecting shared worldviews.
How do National Interests evolve over time?
Change of opinions and understandings influenced by internal and external forces
Events within and outside a country continually shape national interests.
What is Domestic Policy?
A course of action a sovereign nation takes to determine what should be done within the nation
Examples include federal laws and spending tax revenues.
What is Foreign Policy?
A course of action a sovereign nation takes in connection to its relationships with other nation-states or international organizations
It impacts decisions like treaties, human rights, and trade relations.
What are the potential effects of Foreign Policy decisions?
Short-term and long-term effects on people and nations
Foreign policy can influence domestic policy and national interests.
True or False: Nationalism, National Interest, and Foreign Policies do not affect each other.
False
These elements are interconnected and influence one another.
Fill in the blank: National interests are shaped by _______.
External and Internal forces
These forces can motivate changes in a country’s national interest.
What can cause changes in a country’s national interest?
Issues motivated by internal and external events
Predicting these issues can provide insight into future national interests.
What time period did nationalism spread aggressively across Europe?
1789-1914
What significant event in 1789 introduced collective consciousness?
French Revolution
What major conflict in the 1800s made people want to not be controlled by a foreign power?
Napoleonic Wars
What year marked the Springtime of the People’s, a series of nationalist revolutions?
1848
What was the main outcome of the Springtime of the People’s?
Unsuccessful nationalist revolutions
What decade saw the unification of new European states?
1870s
Before 1871, what was the status of countries like Germany and Italy?
Not unified, individual provinces and kingdoms
What was the goal of creating a ‘Greater Germany’?
To be more powerful together than on their own
What were the major empires growing in Europe by the lead up to World War One?
France, Britain, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy, Ottoman Empire
What is imperialism?
The policy of acquiring, controlling and dominating another country or region
What resources did empires exploit for financial gain?
All resources in the area
What was the Scramble for Africa?
European countries divided up the entire continent for themselves
What economic benefit did the Scramble for Africa provide to European countries?
Allowed them to become very wealthy
What major technological developments occurred due to industrialization?
Railroads, large-scale steel and iron factories, telegraph
What did industrialization lead to in terms of military production?
Rise of factories that built weapons
What is militarism in the context of rising imperialism?
Flaunting armies to intimidate other nations
What became crucial for the power of nations?
Size of army and navy
What term describes the rapid stockpiling and growing of weapons?
Arms races
Who established itself as the Naval Power of the World?
Britain
What title did Germany desire that led to naval competition with Britain?
A place in the sun
What was the outcome of Germany’s growing army in relation to France?
France began to build their army
What was the consequence of nations having armies always ready for war?
Increased tensions and readiness for conflict
What war saw the first use of explosive long-range shells, the telegraph, and railways?
Crimean War (1853-56)
Also involved many naval battles.
What conflict directly led to the creation of Germany?
Franco-Prussian War (1870-71)
This war was a significant turning point in European politics.
Which war led to the creation of independent Balkan states?
Russo-Turkish War (1877-78)
This conflict was pivotal in reshaping the Balkans.
What was significant about the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)?
First time an Asian power defeated a European one
This marked a massive shift in power dynamics in Asia.
What is considered the first ‘modern’ war?
The Boer War (1899-1902)
It featured modern weaponry and tactics.
What were some of the advanced technologies used in the Boer War?
Capable rifles, long-range artillery, machine guns, concentration camps
These innovations set a precedent for future conflicts.
Name the five main causes of World War One.
Militarism, Assassination, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism
These factors contributed to the outbreak of the war.
How did the Industrial Revolution impact militarism?
It led to large leaps in innovation, commerce, and military production
Significantly changed the nature of warfare.
What was the Dreadnought?
A type of battleship that represented naval advancements
It was a key element in the naval arms race.
Define nationalism in the context of pre-WWI.
A new sense of pride for one’s country that led people to defend it
Nationalism played a critical role in escalating tensions.
What were some outcomes of the rise of nationalism?
Rivalries between nations, regaining land, uniting peoples, expanding colonies, status
Nations aspired to be considered ‘Great Powers.’
What does imperialism emphasize?
The act of creating an empire, often through military means
It led to conflicts over colonies.
What event is known as the ‘spark’ that ignited World War One?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
This event triggered the alliance system and led to war.
Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
Gavrilo Princip
He was a Serbian nationalist.
What was Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum to Serbia?
A list of demands including suppression of nationalist publications and organizations
They only allowed 48 hours for a response.
What were the two main alliance systems in World War One?
Triple Alliance and Triple Entente
The Triple Alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Ottomans; the Triple Entente included Great Britain, France, and Russia.
What was Canada’s status in foreign affairs at the start of World War One?
Canada had no control over its foreign affairs
This was controlled by Britain.
What were some Canadian interests in World War One?
Economic reasons, safety and security, opportunity to prove itself
Many Canadians felt strong ties to Britain.
What was the significance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge for Canada?
Considered Canada’s greatest battle
It marked a significant moment in Canadian military history.
What was a common sentiment among some Canadians regarding World War One?
Many felt disconnected from Europe and questioned involvement
This included reservations from Quebecois and religious minorities.
What was the 100 Days Offensive known as?
Canada’s 100 Days
What significant battle marked the first time Canadians fought as one nation?
Vimy Ridge
What was a unifying factor for Canadians during World War One?
Lives lost
What treaty proved that Canada is an independent nation?
Treaty of Versailles
On what lines were Canadians deeply fractured after World War One?
- Linguistic lines
- Political lines
- Economic lines
What major event in 1917 affected Russia’s involvement in World War One?
The Russian revolution began
What treaty did Russia sign to leave World War One?
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
What was a key reason for the ending of World War One?
Germany faced an internal revolution
What communication did the United States intercept that led to their entry into the war?
Zimmerman Telegram
What date did Germany and their allies surrender, marking the end of the war?
November 11th, 1918
How many total military deaths were there in World War One?
21 million
How many Canadian soldiers were killed in World War One?
67,000
What role did the United States take after World War One?
Emerges as the economic, political, and social leader of the world
What was a major advantage for the United States during World War One?
No fighting on US soil
Who spearheaded the peace negotiations at the Treaty of Versailles?
The Big Three: Britain, France, and USA
What was Canada’s contribution to the Treaty of Versailles?
Canada was the ONLY colony with a seat at the table
Who was blamed for the cause of World War One in the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany
According to the Treaty of Versailles, how much did Germany have to pay for damages?
132 billion Gold Marks
What restrictions were placed on Germany’s military after World War One?
Allowed only 6 ships, no air force, main military disbanded
What happened to Germany’s colonies after World War One?
Lost ALL colonies, split between Britain and France
What area rich in mineral deposits was given to France after the war?
The Rhineland
What was Woodrow Wilson’s vision for peace called?
The 14 Points for Peace
What international organization was created as part of the Treaty of Versailles?
The League of Nations
What was a key flaw of the League of Nations?
The United States did NOT join
What period followed World War One for the United States regarding foreign affairs?
Isolationism
Fill in the blank: The war officially ended at 11am on November 11th, 1918, but the last soldier killed was at _______.
10:58
