Alliances and the First World War: Essential Background

Flashcards covering essential vocabulary related to alliances leading to World War I.

World War I

A global conflict primarily involving Europe that started in 1914 due to various alliances and tensions.

Balance of Power

A situation in which nations have roughly equal power, preventing any one nation from dominating the others.

Alsace-Lorraine

A territory that was lost by France to Germany in the 1870-1 war, instigating feelings of resentment in France.

Two-front war

A military conflict where a nation has to fight on two different fronts, usually at the same time.

Three Emperors’ League

An alliance formed in 1881 involving Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia.

Triple Alliance

A military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

The German Emperor who succeeded Wilhelm I and made significant changes to Germany's foreign policy.

Franco-Russian Alliance

A military alliance formed in 1892 between France and Russia, aimed at countering the threat of Germany.

Anglo-Japanese Naval Agreement

A treaty signed in 1902 between Great Britain and Japan that allowed Britain to focus on European conflicts.

Entente Cordiale

A series of agreements between Britain and France, signifying a friendly relationship established in 1904.

Triple Entente

An alliance formed in 1907 between France, Russia, and Britain to counter the Triple Alliance.

Panslavism

A political and cultural movement aimed at unity among Slavic peoples, notably supported by Russia in the Balkans.

Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck was the Chancellor of Germany who played a crucial role in the alliances before WWI.

Encirclement

A strategic military term describing the situation where a nation is surrounded by hostile powers.

Russian Alliance

The alliance formed by Bismarck between Germany and Russia, which was later abandoned by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Vulnerable

Subject to physical or emotional harm; in the context of Germany, it refers to their precarious geographic position.

Defensive alliance

An alliance formed with the intention to protect one another from potential threats or invasions.

Superpower blocs

The division of powerful nations into two opposing camps prior to the outbreak of WWI.

Revenge

The desire or motive to retaliate against someone for an injury or wrong, particularly seen in French attitudes towards Germany.

Diplomatic relationships

The formal connections and interactions between countries that can lead to treaties and alliances.