Vocabulary List for World War I

A collection of key vocabulary terms related to World War I, covering alliances, military strategies, and significant historical figures and events.

Militarism

The belief that a country should maintain a strong military and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.

Triple Alliance

A military alliance among Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy established in 1882.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

The last German Emperor and King of Prussia who reigned from 1888 until his abdication in 1918.

Triple Entente

A military alliance formed by France, Russia, and Great Britain prior to World War I.

Central Powers

The coalition of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria during World War I.

Allies

The coalition of countries opposing the Central Powers during World War I, including France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and later the United States.

Western Front

The main theatre of war during World War I, characterized by trench warfare, primarily located in France and Belgium.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's military strategy in World War I that aimed for a quick defeat of France before turning to Russia.

Trench warfare

A type of combat in which soldiers fight from deep trenches, leading to stalemate and high casualties during World War I.

Eastern Front

The theatre of war in Eastern Europe during World War I, primarily involving Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia.

Unrestricted submarine warfare

A type of naval warfare where submarines sink ships without warning, used notably by Germany in World War I.

Total war

A conflict in which the participating countries devote all their resources to the war effort, affecting civilians as well as military personnel.

Propaganda

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view during the war.

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting; specifically, the one that ended fighting on the Western Front in World War I on November 11, 1918.

Self-determination

The right of a people to determine their own political status and to govern themselves.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that officially ended World War I in 1919, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

League of Nations

An international organization founded after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among countries.