WWI Flashcards
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Taking over countries (for Europe it would be Middle East, Africa, and Asia). There was competition that led to conflict between European countries over land (especially in Africa).
Nationalism
Unique cultural identity of a people based on common language, religion, and national symbols. Some European countries had formed nations (France and Germany) but some ethnic groups are not nations. Slavic nations in the Balkans, Polish, Irish, and Austria-Hungary Empire still dreamed of nationhood which created conflict (increased tensions in Europe)
Militarism
The aggressive preparation as war begins to grow. Military leaders were very powerful in WWI and drew very complex plans for quickly mobilizing millions of soldiers. Military leaders felt changes of plans could create chaos, so decisions were made off the military and not politics which created a problem.
Alliances
Joining other countries to have stronger forces for a war. TWO MAJOR ALLIANCES WERE SET UP BEFORE WWI. There was a major crisis during this time periods which tested these alliances and set up crisis situations as in the Balkans. This left European states angry and setting revenge created bigger issues.
Triple Alliance (know when it was signed and who was involved)
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy in 1882
Triple Entente (know when it was signed and who was involved)
Great Britain, Russia, and France 1907
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
The immediate cause of WWI starting with Austria-Hungary and Serbia, but other countries joined in as allies. Happened on June 28th, 1914.
Machine gun
The machine gun was one of the new technologies introduces that could revolutionize the war especially in trench warfare.
Trench Warfare
A defensive way (and most common way) of fighting the war with trenches covering 400 miles in length but 2500 miles in general from the zigzagging. This was introduced due to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan.
No Man’s Land
An area in between the trenches and if you crossed it you were almost guaranteed to die because they shot at any one who crossed it.
Battleships
They brought the war into the sea and were able to be equipped with many different weapons at once.
Airplanes
They brought fights into the air and made it very easy to travel. They also made bombings much easier to commit and to escape from.
Submarines
They were able to take down battleships in a way that kept them in secret because the ships did not have underwater radar to show the submarines.
Flamethrower
This was a tank of fire in which you could burn your enemies alive with. It contained a tank and a hose to spray the fire.
Poison Gas
This was not used after WWI but it contained both lethal and non-lethal gases, but were used to sneak up on enemies and weaken or kill them.
Artillery
This was similar to a cannon and made trench warfare extremely dangerous.
Tanks
These made bullets less amazing. They seemed like monsters that could not be destroyed at the time.
Stalemate
This is when both sides are in the same position and no one is expanding territory or losing territory. A point in which both sides are not gaining or losing anything more than the other side.
War of Attrition
This is when both sides try to dry out the other sides resources in war.
Schlieffen Plan (know what is was, why it failed, and why it is significant)
This was the German plan to invade Russia through Belgium (a neutral country at the time), expecting the Russians to take too long to mobilize their troops. This was unsuccessful due to the Belgians fighting back from the German invasion and the Russians mobilizing their troops quicker than expected. This left the Germans vulnerable to attacks and created trench warfare.
Steps of Persuasion with Propaganda
Demonization (To make the other side look evil)
Name Calling (Exp. Little Rocket Man)
Patriotic Symbols(Exp. Flag, Uncle Sam)
Catchy Slogans (Exp. “Make America Great Again”)
Appeal to Fear (Increase hate)
Total War
Involving a complete mobilization of resources and people → Only option to win
Propaganda
Something designed to influence our opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior to persuade us to believe in something or do something → 1. Used to recruit soldiers 2. Unify people of the country to support war/ eliminate opposition 3. Convince people to save resources necessary for war 4. To persuade people to participate in homefront organizations to support the war effort.
What is Trench Warfare? How did it change the way European military strategy? Why did it lead to a stalemate during WWI?
Trench warfare is a defensive way of fighting introduced after the Schlieffen plan failed. It includes fighting from trenches using artillery and machine guns. This made offensive attacks result in the death of thousands and made the war much more dangerous.