World War I: Key Events and Concepts

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts of World War I, including battles, military strategies, significant figures, and societal changes.

British Expeditionary Force

The British military forces sent to support allies on the Western Front during World War I.

Battle of the Marne

A significant World War I battle in 1914 where French forces successfully halted the German advance toward Paris.

Taxicab Army

A term describing the French troops transported to the front lines using Parisian taxicabs during the Battle of the Marne.

U-boats

German submarines used to conduct unrestricted submarine warfare during World War I.

Lusitania

A British passenger liner sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, leading to American outrage.

Unrestricted submarine warfare

A type of naval warfare in which submarines sink vessels without warning.

Zimmerman Telegram

A secret diplomatic communication from Germany to Mexico proposing a military alliance against the United States.

War of attrition

A military strategy aimed at wearing down the opponent through continuous losses in personnel and material.

Battle of Verdun

A major World War I battle in 1916, symbolizing French national determination but resulting in massive casualties.

Stalemate

A situation in warfare where neither side can gain a decisive advantage or victory.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

The last German Emperor who abdicated in 1918 during the German Revolution.

Armistice

An agreement made by opposing sides to stop fighting; the Armistice of November 11, 1918, ended World War I.

Fourteen Points

A statement of principles for peace proposed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to end World War I.

Votes for Women

Social change following World War I that granted women the right to vote in various countries, including the U.S. in 1920.

Spartacists

Radical leftist factions in Germany that sought to establish a communist government after World War I.

Attritional battles

Battles characterized by high casualties with the goal of depleting enemy resources and morale.

Propaganda

Information, often biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view during wartime.

American Expeditionary Force

The U.S. armed forces sent to Europe during World War I to support the Allied forces.

Eastern Front

The theater of war in which Germany and Austria-Hungary fought against Russia during World War I.

General Andre Bataan

A French general known for his leadership at Verdun, famous for his phrase "They shall not pass."

Battle of the Somme

A major British offensive in 1916 that resulted in significant casualties without achieving a decisive victory.