WWI Flashcards
What were the start and end years of WWI?
1914-1918
What were the four fronts of the First World War?
The western front, eastern front, middle eastern front, and southern front
How was success measured in WWI?
Since trench warfare made territorial gains nearly impossible, each side just tried to drain the other of its men and resources
What made WWI different from previous wars?
Much larger
More casualties
Whole population involved
More destructive weapons
What two concepts did Napoleon introduce?
Nationalism and conscription
Prior to WWI what region was Russia focusing on and why?
The balkans because of Slavic nationalism. The dominant religion in Russia is orthodox Christianity and Constantinople or Istanbul was the capital of orthodox Christianity. Since it was controlled by the Islamic ottoman Turks, Russia wanted to take back control of the region.
Did Russia support the independence movements in the balkans? Why?
Yes because the independence movements weakened the balkans making it easier for Russia to insert itself and take control of the area.
What conflict ended the peace established by the congress of Vienna?
The Crimean war
Describe the crimean war
Russia invaded the Ottoman Empire trying to take control of the balkans but France and GB stepped in to defend OE and successfully beat Russia
Describe the Austro-Prussian War
A war between Austria and Prussia in which Prussia won and the territory then became Austria-Hungary
What caused France’s arrogance leading up to WWI?
It had defeated Austria in the Franco-Austrian War
It defeated Russia in the Crimean War
It had numerous colonial possessions in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and south east Asia
It built the Suez Canal with GB
Describe France’s miscalculation regarding the Austro-Prussian War
France expected the two countries to weaken each other, giving F the chance to take the Rhineland from Prussia. But Prussia’s swift defeat of and subsequent union with Austria allowed it to beat France.
What year was the Crimean War?
1853
What year was the Franco-Prussian War?
1871
What treaty ended the Franco Prussian War?
The Treaty of Frankfurt
Describe the outcome of the Franco-Prussian War
OVB invades France and crowns King Wilhelm I in the palace of Versailles.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Frankfurt?
Alsace-Lorraine goes to Germany
France owes Germany $1B
What was the most important outcome of the Franco-Prussian War?
The German Empire was now the strongest nation in continental Europe
How do Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro gain their independence?
Russia invaded OE in the Russo-Turkish War and helps them gain independence
What were the geopolitical outcomes of the Russo-Turkish War?
OVB stepped in to help negotiate the treaty of Berlin which gave Slavic Bosnia to A-H and made a smaller Bulgaria than promised. This left Russia very mad at A-H and G
What did the League of Three Emperors provide OVB with?
Control of Eastern Europe
What was the purpose of the Dual Alliance?
The dual alliance between A-H and G protected the two against an attack from R
What was the purpose of the Triple Alliance?
The triple alliance between A-H, Ita, and G protected them from F attack
What were Kaiser Wilhelm II’s biggest mistakes?
He dismissed OVB
He ended the league of three emperors
What political shift occurs in G as a result of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s ascendancy?
From Realpolitik (calculating other nations interests) to Weltpolitik (concerned with imperialism and expanding the navy)
What was a direct result of the end of the league of three emperors?
The Franco-Russian alliance
In what year was the Franco-Russian Alliance made?
1894
What did the Franco-Russian Alliance mean for G?
A two front War
Why does GB feel threatened by Germany’s Naval arms race?
It wanted to maintain its two power standard
What law started Germany’s naval arms race?
The 2nd German Naval Law
What was GB’s response to the 2nd German Naval Law?
It created the Dreadnaught
In what year was the 2nd German Naval Law passes?
1900
What cemented GB and F alliance?
The 2nd German Law
What were the terms of the Entente Cordiale?
GB protects the English Channel and F moves it’s fleet to the Mediterranean to counter A-H and Italy
What makes the Anglo-Russian Entente appealing for R?
It had just lost to J and needed support and fewer enemies
In what year was the Russo-Japanese War?
1904
In what year was the Anglo-Russian Entente cemented?
1907
What countries made up the Balkan League in the first Balkan War?
Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Montenegro
What year was the first Balkan War?
1912
What was the outcome of the First Balkan War?
The Balkan league beat the OE and Albania was created
What was the cause of the second Balkan War and when was it fought?
Bulgaria was unhappy with the distribution of land following the first Balkan War so it attacked Greece and Serbia.
1913
What was the outcome of the second Balkan War?
Serbia, Greece and the OE beat Bulgaria
Serbia’s friendship with Bulgaria is over so now A-H can attack it
Serbia is surrounded by enemies
Russia supports Serbia
What role does nationalism play in causing WWI?
Serbia wanted a pan Slavic union but A-H wouldn’t give up its Slavic provinces
A-H annexes Slavic Bosnia
Nationalist terrorist is responsible for assassination of Archduke
What was the treaty of London?
England promised Belgium neutrality in WWI in exchange for a port to access continental Europe
When was the treaty of London made?
1839
What was the Blank Cheque?
G promised unconditional support to A-H
When was the blank cheque issued?
1914
What role did imperialism play in causing WWI?
Italy joined the Central Powers after F stole Tunasia
One reason for the 2nd German Naval Law was to allow G to support the Dutch in the Boer Wars
Weltpolitik
What was the spark that started WWI?
Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand (A-H prince)
This is called the July Crisis
