world war 1 vocab (part 1)

Imperialism

The policy of one nation acquiring, controlling, or dominating another country or region.

Militarism

A nation’s policy of enlisting, training, equipping, and maintaining armed forces ready for war.

Slavic

Relating to peoples in eastern, southeastern, and central Europe, including Russians, Serbians, Croatians, Poles, Czechs, etc.

Alliance

A union or agreement among groups working towards a common goal.

Triple alliance

The alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy prior to the First World War.

Triple entente

The alliance of France, Britain, and Russia prior to the First World War.

Nationalism

Devotion to and support of one’s culture and nation, sometimes resulting in the promotion of independence.

Black Hand

A terrorist group of Bosnian Serbs that was determined to free Bosnia from Austria-Hungary.

Profiteering

Making a profit by raising prices on needed goods or producing poor quality materials.

War measures act

An act that gives the federal government emergency powers during wartime, including the right to detain people without laying charges.

Habeas corpus

The right of a detained person to be brought before a judge or other official to decide whether the detention is lawful.

Enemy ailian

A national living in a country that is at war with his/her homeland.

Deport

To send a person back to his/her country of origin.

Internment camp

A government-run camp where people who are considered a threat are detained.

Shlieffen plan

Germany’s plan to stage a two-front war with Russia in the east and France in the west.

No mans land

The area between the trenches of two opposing forces.

Western front

The area of fighting in western Europe during the First World War, characterized by trench warfare and inconclusive battles with heavy casualties on both sides.

Artillery

Large guns used to fire shells.

War of attrition

A military strategy based on exhausting the enemy’s manpower and resources before yours are exhausted, usually involving great losses on both sides.

Casualties

Those injured, killed, captured, or missing in action.

Biplane

An airplane with two sets of wings, one on top of the body and one underneath.

Reconnaissance

Military search or exploration.

Sharpshooter

A person skilled in shooting.

Dogfight

Aerial duels between aircraft.

Ace

A fighter pilot who has shot down five enemy aircraft.

Allegiance

Loyalty or faithfulness.

Merchant marine

Civilian ships and sailors that transported food, weapons, and munitions.

Convoy

A group of ships traveling together, protected by an armed force.

Victory bonds

Bonds issued by the Canadian government to support the war effort.

Honour rationing

A civilian effort to consume less and conserve supplies on the home front.

Income tax

A tax on personal income.

Corporate tax

A tax charged to businesses based on their total revenues.