First World War Overview

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the First World War, based on lecture notes.

First World War

Conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, involving many nations worldwide.

Schlieffen Plan

A German strategy to avoid a two-front war by initially defeating France before moving on to Russia.

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

The event on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo that triggered the outbreak of World War I.

Alliances

Agreements between nations to support each other; key alliances included the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente.

Trench Warfare

A form of warfare in which opposing armies fight from trenches dug into the ground.

Armenian Genocide

The mass killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during and after World War I.

USA's Entry into WWI

The United States entered the war on April 6, 1917, significantly affecting the war's outcome.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations on Germany.

Neutrals

Countries that did not take sides during World War I.

Black Week

Refers to the period beginning July 23, 1914, marked by the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum to Serbia and subsequent escalations.

Total War

A war that requires the mobilization of entire nations and economies, influencing all aspects of life.

Nationalism

A strong patriotic feeling, often leading to the desire for independence in various nations during the war.

Casualties

The total number of soldiers killed and wounded during a conflict.

Ypres

A location in Belgium where the first large-scale use of chemical weapons (chlorine gas) took place by the Germans.

Balkan Powder keg

A region in Europe characterized by instability and nationalism that contributed to the outbreak of World War I.

Economic Impact of WWI

The war substantially damaged European economies, leading to widespread poverty and economic restructuring.