Unit 9 Test Review Western Civ. II Honors

What were the long-range causes of World War I?

The three long-range causes of World War I were nationalism, internal dissent, and militarism. Nationalism stems from an awareness of being part of a community with common history, language, and customs and this becomes one’s primary political loyalty. This becomes a problem all over Europe and contributes to internal dissent because not all ethnic groups have achieved nationhood. Slavic minorities in the Balkans and the Austrian Empire dream of creating their own nation state accelerating agitation by groups. Finally, militarism was a policy of aggressive preparedness for war through mass conscription and mobilization plans. Because each European power wanted to showcase their greatness and focus on their self, they strengthen their military greatly.

What were the immediate causes of World War 1?

Serbia wanted to create a large, independent Slavic state which drove the desire for the formation of the Black Hand, a Serbia nationalist terrorist organization. Because Austria did not want to lose any territory, it was keen on preventing Serbia’s independence. Russia began a rivalry with Austria-Hungary because they also wanted to grab Ottoman land but chose to back the Serbians. Because they were both great powers, tension rose in that region. Additionally, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo who was a member of the Black Hand. This assassination sets off a fatal chain of events, tied to alliances and war plans.

List three modern technologies that altered the conduct of World War I

Machine gun, Submarine, Airplane

List the three main Allied Powers before the United States entered the war

Russia, France, Great Britian

List the two main central powers

Austria, Germany

What did the belligerents expect (illusions) at the beginning of war?

The belligerents expected the war would be easy and over in a few weeks, that they would be home by Christmas. They had unremarkable enthusiasm to go to war because it was seen as as a glorious adventure that freed them from a boring existence and they believed their country’s cause was just.

Why did the course of the war turn out so different than the belligerents expected?

The speed the British was able to mobilize with the French at the Marne successfully stopped the German advance into France. However, because both sides were too tired to continue fighting, they dug the trenches. This resulted in a four year stalemate.

Describe daily life in the trenches

Constant noise - machine gunfire, exploding artillery shells, stench - decomposing bodies, swarms of rats and lice

Why did the US enter World War I?

The US entered because of the Zimmerman Telegram. It was a message between the German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman and the German ambassador in Mexico instructing him to offer Mexico the return of lands lost in the 1840s to the US if Mexico would support Germany.

What was the impact of total war on government/economy, social life, and women?

Government/economy - raised taxes and centralized govt. power such as nationalized factories and railways for the sake of war effort (materials, weapons), Social life - the end of employment withdrawal millions of men from the labor market to fight and heightened demand for wartime products and expansions of police powers, Women - created new roles for women, take on responsibility and jobs that had not been open to them before and women showed this independence by taking jobs, owning apartments, shorter dresses, etc.

What caused the Russian Revolution?

massive losses in World War I, no food at home, all military defeat landed on Emperor/ disatisfaction with ruling family

What fatal decision did the Tsar make (in direct opposition to his advisers and despite his complete lack of military expertise?

He joined the general-staff headquarters near the front lines. This distracted the offices and connected every military defeat directly with the tsar.

Why was the Tsar’s wife unpopular with the Russian people?

She was close to Rasputin - concerns over his control over empire and affair? and she was a German Princess

Who did the Russian Provisional Government represent?

Middle class, bourgeoisie

List at least two of the Russian Provisional Govt.’s liberal ideas

civil liberties and universal suffrage

Why was the Russian Provisional Govt. unpopular?

They represented the bourgeoisie and pledged to continue the war effort

What was the October Revolution?

Led by Vladmir Lenin, rebellion placing power in the hands of the soviets, or workers’ councils, which had given their support to the Bolsheviks

What did the leaders of the October Revolution promise to the people?

To end the war, redistribution of land to the peasants, transfer of factories and industry to the workers

What was the Paris Peace Conference and who were the chief participants?

Delegations of allied nations gathered to conclude a final settlement of the Great War. Big 3: Britain, France, US

What were the chief objectives of the chief participants at the Paris Peace Conference?

President Wilson, US - wanted open diplomacy without secret treaties, decrease armaments universally, opportunity for self-determination, and creation of the League of Nations, Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Britain - Making the Germans pay for the war, Premier George Clemenceau, France - Wanted revenge and security against future German aggression, demilitarize Germany, make them pay reparations, and wanted the Rhineland as a buffer state

What was the last German military offensive on the western front? Why were the Germans unsuccessful?

The Second Battle of the Marne, they were unsuccessful because American support and Germany had no cash, weapons, people, or home support

What happened to the Austro-Hungarian Empire after the end of the war?

Ceased to exist/broke up

The Treaty of Versailles

Who: Allied Powers - France, Britain, US, Italy

What: Final peace settlement written by the allies without German involvement. It demilitarized Germany and made Germany lose territory bordering France, lots of Prussia which went to Poland, colonies in Africa, and Pacific Islands which went to Japan. It included the war guilt clause which stated that because Germany was responsible for starting WWI, they had to pay for all reparations the Allies suffered.

When: June 28, 1919

Where: Versailles, France

Why: Germans considered it a harsh peace. Led to resentment which powered WWII. France is left alone facing Germany.

What happened to the Ottoman Empire after the end of the War?

Dismembered by peace settlement, France took control of Lebanon and Syria, Britain took control of Iraq and Palestine

Did the US Senate ratify the Treaty of Versailles?

Nope

Did the US ever join the League of Nations?

Nope

Did the US Senate accept the defensive alliance with Great Britain and France? What was the consequence?

No so Europe has no stable power and had US been strong defense Hitler might not have got out quickly. France was left to stand alone facing Germany