Unit 5: World Wars

Imperialism

when a powerful country expands its borders by taking over other countries to make an empire.

Nationalism

a feeling of pride and devotion to one’s country. Often at the expense of the rest of the world

Militarism

when countries build up their militaries. This can cause tension and suspicion between countries.

Alliance

a formal agreement between nations

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

the Austrian prince whose assassination helped begin World War I

World War I (WWI)

international war fought mostly in Europe that lasted from 1914-1918

Triple Alliance

Alliance between Germany, Austria, and Italy

Triple Entente

Alliance between Great Britain, France, and Russia.

Trench Warfare

type of combat where opposing sides fight in trenches and try to gain land from the other side.

Conscription (the draft)

forced participation in your country’s military

Zimmerman Telegram

German telegram to Mexico that was intercepted by the British.  It said that if the U.S. joined the war, the Germans would ally with Mexico against the U.S. and help them take back old land

Russian Revolution

Revolution in 1917 where Russia overthrew their monarchy and later created the communist Soviet Union. This also caused them to exit World War I.

Soviet Union (USSR)

term Russia was formally known as after the Russian Revolution up until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991

Bolsheviks

Group that created the communist party in Russia, helped get rid of the Russian royal family, and began the Soviet Union

Communism

type of political/social system where government/society owns all resources, property, etc and there is no class system.

Casualty

a person in war who has been killed, captured, wounded, or is missing in action

Treaty of Versailles

treaty that ended World War I, created the League of Nations, and blamed Germany for WWI. Many also argue it was a cause for World War II.

Roaring Twenties

period of economic prosperity in the U.S. and Europe that was marked by social change and great optimism after dismal WWI

Great Depression

severe global economic downfall that occurred in 1929 and lasted until the beginning of World War II.

World War II (WWII)

global war that lasted between 1939-1945.

appeasement

giving in to demands to try and avoid conflict/keep the peace

Isolationism

policy of staying out of foreign affairs.

Allied Powers

countries that fought against the Axis/Central Powers during WWII. Includes Great Britain, France, United States, etc.

Axis/Central Powers

countries that fought against the Allied Powers in WWII. Includes Germany, Italy, and Japan

Propaganda

biased information or opinions that are made public to promote or attack a movement, cause, or person

Adolf Hitler

the leader of Germany during WWII and the Holocaust.

Fascism

an extremely nationalistic and militaristic government ruled by a dictator. Allows no dissent and limits individual freedoms

Nazi Party

the political party that brought Fascism to Germany, started WWII, and started the Holocaust

genocide

the intentional attempt to exterminate all members of a certain race, nationality, religious, or ethnic group

Holocaust

systematic Nazi government sponsored genocide of the Jews

anti-semitism

prejudice, discrimination, or hostility toward Jews

concentration camp

place where government sends people without trial. Often used for forced labor or for extermination.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Japanese cities that the United States dropped the atomic bombs on