World War 1 History Quiz

When did World War 1 begin

on July 28, 1914, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.

Militarism

The belief that a country should maintain a strong military and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. This lead to tension between nations who think they need to build a strong army because the nations around them are. And if they don’t have a strong army they could be taken over. This tension contributed significantly to the causes of World War I

Alliances

The agreements nations made with each other to side with each other in case of war. It was designed to keep peace. But actually leads to war because it increased tensions by making them feel that they needed to take sides.

Imperialsim

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means. Imperialism often led to conflicts as nations competed for global dominance and control of territories, contributing to tension leading up to World War I.

Nationalism

The strong patriotic feeling and loyalty to one's nation, often leading to the belief that a nation should govern itself free from outside interference. Nations competed against each other for oversees colonies and to build strong armies to prove their strength. Leads to tensions between nations that believe they deserve to get what they want.

Central Powers

The coalition of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria during World War I, opposing the Allies.

Allied Powers

The coalition of nations led by France, Britain, Russia, Italy, and later the United States during World War I, opposing the Central Powers.

Why did Italy join Allies

Italy joined the Allies due to promises of territorial gains, especially regions such as Trentino and South Tyrol, which were under Austro-Hungarian control. Additionally, Italy sought to expand its influence and power against its historical rival, Austria-Hungary.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

1888 became ruler of Germany. Believed in building a strong Germany that could defend itself against all other nations. Wilhelm II pursued aggressive foreign policies, which included the expansion of the German navy and colonial ambitions, contributing to heightened tensions in Europe that eventually led to World War I. He was abdicated in 1918 following Germany's defeat.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The event that triggered World War I; Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie of Austria was murdered in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist group known as the Black Hand.

Western Front

The battle line on the western border of Germany with France. It was the main theater of combat during World War I, characterized by trench warfare and significant battles such as the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun.

Schlieffen Plan

A German military strategy devised to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium, ensuring a swift victory in the west before turning to fight Russia in the east during World War I. The plan failed when the Allies held their own at the Battle of the Marne, leading to a German retreat.

Trench Warfare

A type of combat in which opposing troops fight from dugout tunnels or ditches, leading to a stalemate and high casualties in World War I. It slows down the war and leads to advancements in technology to deal with trench fighting.

Factor that led to Russians difficulties in war

Lack of supplies, Lack of food, German submarines blocking allied supplies, Ottoman control of straits to south. Disorganization of the Russian military and inadequate transportation and communication systems. These issues significantly weakened Russia's ability to sustain prolonged military engagements during World War I.

Unrestricted Subramine Warfare

The policy of using submarines to sink any ship that belonged to the enemy, no matter if it is military or not. It normalized the killing of non military persons and chipped away at the “rules of war” and was a key factor in drawing countries like the United States into World War I.

When did the U.S. enter the war

The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917.

Why did the U.S. enter the war

Sinking of Lusitania and other U.S. ships. Interception of Zimmerman note, which told of German plan to help Mexico take back land from U.S. if it attacked U.S.

What effect did the U.S. have entering the war

The entry of the U.S. into World War I provided fresh troops and resources to the Allied Powers, significantly bolstering their strength and morale, and contributing to the eventual defeat of the Central Powers.

Total War

A conflict in which a country mobilizes all of its resources—military, economic, and civilian—in order to achieve complete victory over the enemy, often involving widespread destruction and civilian involvement. World War 1 was a total war.

Rationing

A system of controlling the distribution and consumption of scarce resources during wartime, such as food and fuel, to ensure adequate supplies for the military and civilian population. Many countries were forced to ration essential goods during World War I to support the war effort.

Propaganda

Information, often biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view, particularly during wartime to influence public opinion and support for the war effort. Countries used propaganda extensively in World War I to boost enlistment, encourage sacrifice, and demonize the enemy.

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting, typically marking the end of hostilities in a conflict. March, 1918 Russia and Germany sign truce. November 9, 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm II steps down. November 11, 1918 France and Germany sign armistice or agreement to stop fighting. 

Woodrow Wilson

The 28th President of the United States, serving from 1913 to 1921. Created Fourteen Points, a plan for lasting peace after the war. He played a key role in the formation of the League of Nations and advocated for self-determination of nations.

Fourteen Points

A set of principles for peace proposed by President Woodrow Wilson to end World War I and end to secret treaties, have freedom of the seas, have Free trade, have Reduced armies and navies, and Adjust of colonial claims with more fairness toward colonial peoples.

George Clemenceau

French Premier during World War I, known for his strong leadership and pivotal role in the Paris Peace Conference. He was a key advocate for punishing Germany after the war.

Self-Determination

The idea proposed by Wilson that called for allowing the conquered nations to choose the type of government their nation would have.It emphasizes the right of people to govern themselves without external interference, central to post-war peace efforts.

Who was chancellor of Germany before Kaiser Wilhelm

II was Otto von Bismarck, who served as chancellor from 1862 until 1870.

Treaty of Versailles

It was signed June 28,1919, between Allied Powers and Germany. The purpose was to create peace between the Allied Nations and Germany. It made Germany accept responsibility for the war and made them repay all the debts of the Allies that were created during the war. (this obviously greatly angered all Germans…which leads to WWII). It also made Germany turn over all its colonies in North Africa and the Pacific.

League of Nations

The international organization made up at first of Allies whose goal was to keep the peace in Europe and the world. It eventually becomes the United Nations. It’s goal was to avoid war in the future. If you were in the League of Nations (and U.N) you were considered an ally of the other members.

Influenza Epidemic

A devastating global pandemic that occurred in 1918-1919, infecting about one-third of the world's population and resulting in millions of deaths. It severely impacted troop health and morale during World War I.

Explain in detail how Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism led to WWI.

World War I was caused by a combination of militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. Nations felt that they needed to develop large, powerful militaries which created fear and anxiety between neighboring nations who thought that there would eventually be a war. At the same time, a complex system of alliances meant that a conflict between two countries could quickly draw in many others. Alliances also heightened tensions as it made countries choose sides. Imperialism added to the tension, as powerful nations competed for colonies and global influence, especially in Africa and Asia. Nationalism further fueled the fire, with intense pride in one’s nation leading to pushing for independence and territorial disputes(like Serbia and Austria-Hungary) as well as competition for resources to make a great nation. This combined tension from militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism lead to the first world war.

In what ways was WWI different from all other wars before it? (You MUST use at least three examples, and you MUST use the terms Total War, technology, Nationalism and population)

World War I was different than other wars for several reasons. New technology like machine guns, tanks, poison gas, and airplanes made the fighting more deadly than ever before, leading to trench warfare and massive loss of life. This massive impact turned World War I into the first global conflict and total war which involved people from six of the seven continents. Nations dedicated all of their resources and focus to the wartime effort. Unlike previous wars, civilians, fueled by intense nationalism, supported the war through fighting for their country, labor, rationing, and sacrifice. This dedication was aided by government propaganda, that their participation in the war made them a good citizen and part of making a better world. These elements combined to make World War I a truly modern and global conflict unlike any that had come before.

This World War I propaganda poster, uses fear and symbolism to persuade American men to join the military. The gorilla represents Germany (or the German soldier) and It’s portrayed as a savage, inhuman monster—literally a “brute” gone mad. This is designed to dehumanize the enemy and stir up fear and anger. The gorilla wears a spiked German military helmet labeled “Militarism”. This suggests that German militarism is barbaric and dangerous, not just a political stance but a force of destruction. In addition, the brute is carrying a club with the word “Kultur”, meaning culture with bashed brains on the end. This indicates that if Germany isn’t stoped, they will bash the unwanted German culture into the brains of Americans. The woman that the brute is holding is a representation of liberty and American civilians, the fact that she’s being taken off by the brute, symbolizes that Germany is a threat to liberty and freedom. She’s half-dressed, and unconscious and being carried off by the brute—symbolizing rape, kidnapping, and brutal violence. The destroyed city in the background, likely represents a destroyed Paris or London, implying widespread destruction if Germany is not defeated and that it could happen to the U.S. too. The brute is stepping onto American soil, indicating that the danger is no longer far away, it’s coming here, and Americans need to enlist now to stop it.