Chapter 25 IMPORTANT PEOPLE: The Beginning of the Twentieth-Century Crisis: War and Revolution

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, whose assassination in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, precipitated the outbreak of World War I.

Sophia Ferdinand

Wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was also assassinated on June 28, 1914, emphasizing the personal tragedy amidst political turmoil.

Black Hand

A secret society founded in 1911 that aimed to unify South Slavic people and orchestrated the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

Emperor William II

The last German Emperor whose aggressive foreign policy and militarism were significant factors leading to WWI.

Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg

Chancellor of Germany at the outbreak of WWI, played a key role in the decisions leading to the war, initially supporting a diplomatic resolution but later shifting toward militarism.

Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf

Chief of the General Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Army, who advocated for aggressive military action against Serbia during WWI.

Alfred von Schlieffen

Designer of the Schlieffen Plan, Germany's military strategy for a two-front war against France and Russia, crucial in the early stages of WWI. blitzkrieg fast and quick

General Joseph Joffre

French general who played a significant role in the early battles of WWI, including the First Battle of the Marne. He was instrumental in organizing the French army and countering the German advance.

Paul von Hindenburg

German general who led the Eastern Front victories against the Russians and later became a key political figure in Germany. He served as the President of Germany during the Weimar Republic.

General Erich Ludendorff

A prominent German commander during WWI who played a major role in the German military strategy. Ludendorff was influential in the development of the so-called Ludendorff offensives in 1918.

T.E. Lawrence

British officer known for his role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during WWI. He is often referred to as 'Lawrence of Arabia.'

Lettow-Vorbeck

German general during WWI known for his unconventional guerrilla warfare tactics in East Africa. He was the last German commander to surrender in the war.

Admiral Holtzendorff

A key naval commander in the German Empire who supported unrestricted submarine warfare during WWI. His policies greatly affected the naval conflict and contributed to the United States entering the war.

Bolsheviks

A radical socialist faction in Russia that played a leading role in the Russian Revolution and the establishment of a communist government. Led by Vladimir Lenin, they seized power from the provisional government in October 1917.

Woodrow Wilson

President of the United States during WWI who advocated for the League of Nations and a peace based on self-determination. He proposed the Fourteen Points as a framework for peace at the end of the war.

Walter Rathenau

German industrialist and politician who was a key figure in the war economy during WWI. He served as the Minister of Reconstruction and was assassinated in 1922.

Ministry of Munitions

A British government department responsible for the production of munitions and supplies for the war effort. Led by David Lloyd George, it played a crucial role in ensuring that British forces were adequately supplied.

Georges Clemenceau

French Prime Minister during the latter part of WWI who was a strong proponent of total victory over Germany. Known as 'The Tiger,' he played a significant role in the Paris Peace negotiations.

German Social Democrats

A political party advocating for socialist principles and workers' rights, they played a significant role in German politics during and after WWI. They were divided in their responses to the war, with some members supporting the war effort and others advocating for peace

Tsar Nicholas II

The last Emperor of Russia, whose reign saw the fall of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Bolsheviks after his abdication during the February Revolution of 1917. He and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918.

Alexandra Tsarina

Wife of Tsar Nicholas II, influenced by Rasputin and played a crucial role in the royal family's decisions during the war. She was executed with her family during the Bolshevik revolution.

Rasputin

A mystic and confidant to the royal family; his influence led to the monarchy's unpopularity. He was assassinated by nobles fearing his influence. Got his position from tsarina Alexandra who believed he was godly after he gave a note to her that claimed all would be ok and her son would survive his hemophilic attack and he did, so tsarina tracked him down and assigned him importance.

Alexis (hemophilic son)

The only son of Nicholas II and Alexandra, suffering from hemophilia, which heightened the family's reliance on Rasputin.

The Duma

The legislative assembly in the Russian Empire that was often undermined by the Tsar's autocracy and a focal point for political opposition leading up to the Russian Revolution.

Soviets of Russia

Councils of workers' and soldiers' deputies that formed the basis for Soviet Russia's political structure after the October Revolution.

Marxist Social Democratic Party

Political group in Russia advocating for workers' rights; it eventually split into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.

Bolsheviks

A radical socialist faction that dominated after the October Revolution of 1917, advocating for a dictatorship of the proletariat and the abolition of capitalism.

Mensheviks

Faction of the Marxist Social Democratic Party, opposing Bolsheviks, less radical and lost influence after the October Revolution.

Vladimir Ulianov - Lenin

Leader of the Bolsheviks, pivotal in the October Revolution and establishing a communist government in Russia.

Alexander Kerensky

Key political figure in the Russian Revolution who served as Minister of War and Prime Minister in the Provisional Government.

General Lavr Kornilov

Russian general who attempted a coup against the Provisional Government in August 1917, deepening the political crisis.

Leon Trotsky

Key Bolshevik leader and architect of the Red Army during the Civil War, significant in the October Revolution and later exiled.

Alexandra Kollontai

Prominent Bolshevik and women's rights advocate; the first female ambassador in history, promoting policies for women's rights.

Zhenotdel

Women's Department of the Communist Party focusing on women's issues and empowerment, established in 1919.

Admiral Alexander Kolchak

Key leader of the White Army during the Russian Civil War opposing Bolsheviks, captured and executed in 1920.

White Army vs Red Army

The Red Army represented Bolshevik forces, while the White Army was an anti-Bolshevik coalition during the Russian Civil War.

Cheka of Russia

The first Soviet state security organization, responsible for suppressing opposition, later evolved into the KGB.

General Ferdinand Foch

French general and Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during WW1, crucial in achieving victory for Allies.

Friedrich Ebert

Leader of Social Democratic Party and the first President of Germany in the Weimar Republic, faced economic instability.

Mussolini

Italian dictator and founder of Fascism, allied with Hitler during WWII, ruled Italy from 1922 until ousted in 1943.

Adolf Hitler

Leader of the Nazi Party who rose to power as German Chancellor and initiated WWII, notorious for totalitarianism and the Holocaust.

Karl Liebknecht

Prominent German socialist and co-founder of the Spartacist League, opposed WWI and assassinated by right-wing forces.

Rosa Luxemburg

Marxist theorist and revolutionary socialist, co-founding the Spartacist League, symbolizing leftist struggle in Germany.

Bela Kun

Hungarian communist revolutionary and leader of the Soviet Republic of Hungary in 1919, short-lived due to collapse and exile.

Wladimir Ulianov - Lenin

Leader of the Bolsheviks, pivotal in the October Revolution and establishing a communist government in Russia. Lifespan: April 22, 1870 – January 21, 1924. Developed Marxism-Leninism theory and authored several influential works on socialist revolution.

Woodrow Wilson

President of the United States during WWI who advocated for the League of Nations and a peace based on self-determination. Lifespan: December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924. He proposed the Fourteen Points as a framework for peace at the end of the war.

David Lloyd George

British Prime Minister during the latter part of WWI and a key figure in the post-war peace negotiations. Lifespan: January 17, 1863 – March 26, 1945. Advocated for a punitive peace with Germany to ensure future security.

Georges Clemenceau

French Prime Minister during the latter part of WWI who was a strong proponent of total victory over Germany. Lifespan: September 28, 1841 – November 24, 1929. Known as 'The Tiger,' he played a significant role in the Paris Peace negotiations.