WWI Military History Flashcards

What years did World War I take place?

1914-1918

Who was Queen Victoria's grandson that became Kaiser of Germany?

Kaiser Wilhelm II

What was King George V's role during World War I?

King of England from 1910 to 1936.

Which ruler was the last Czar of Russia?

Czar Nicholas II.

What long term cause of WWI involves a strong devotion to one's national group?

Nationalism.

What term describes the seizure of a country by a stronger nation?

Imperialism.

How did industrialization affect countries before WWI?

Increased need for resources and markets for goods.

What is militarism?

A policy of glorifying military power and maintaining a standing army prepared for war.

What organizations were involved in the defensive alliances leading up to WWI?

Triple Alliance and Triple Entente.

Which region was known as the 'powder keg' of Europe before WWI?

The Balkans.

What event sparked the beginning of World War I?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

What was the name of the Serbian terrorist group involved in the assassination?

The Black Hand.

What was the reaction of Austria-Hungary after Ferdinand's assassination?

They blamed Serbia and declared war.

What military strategy did Germany use to avoid a two-front war?

The Schlieffen Plan.

What battle marked the first major conflict on the Western Front?

First Battle of the Marne.

What type of warfare characterized the fighting on the Western Front?

Trench warfare.

What was 'no man's land' during WWI?

The land between opposing armies' trenches.

What innovation was first used in combat during the Battle of the Somme?

Tanks.

What was the central purpose of propaganda during WWI?

To persuade and maintain public support for the war effort.

Who was the President of the United States during World War I?

Woodrow Wilson.

What was the Lusitania?

A passenger liner sunk by a German U-boat.

What was the significance of the Zimmerman Telegram?

It led to American outrage and entry into World War I.

What weapon is described as a self-powered machine gun first used in WWI?

Maxim machine gun.

What was the most feared gas used in WWI?

Mustard gas.

What did the Treaty of Versailles do to Germany after WWI?

It imposed heavy reparations and military restrictions.

What was the League of Nations?

An organization designed to settle international disputes and prevent war.

What crucial naval technology did Germany employ during WWI?

U-boats (submarines).

What was the purpose of the draft during WWI?

To enlist soldiers into the military.

Who was known as the 'Red Baron' during WWI?

Manfred Baron von Richthofen.

What was the impact of industrialization on weapon development during WWI?

Allowed for mass production of advanced weapons.

What was the primary fighting technique used in trench warfare?

To build deep, zigzag trenches.

Who led the American forces during WWI?

John 'Black Jack' Pershing.

What happened during the Christmas Truce of 1914?

Soldiers from opposing sides called a temporary ceasefire.

What was the impact of the Spanish Flu during and after WWI?

It killed millions and resulted in more deaths than the war itself.

What were the main Allied Powers during WWI?

Serbia, Russia, France, and Great Britain.

What devastating consequence did Austria-Hungary face at the end of WWI?

It dissolved and was replaced by new nations.

How were women involved in the workforce during WWI?

They took on jobs previously held by men, including factory work.

What significant change took place in Russia in 1917?

The Russian Revolution led to the rise of Lenin and withdrawal from the war.

What event ultimately resulted in the armistice ending WWI?

The abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and German military failures.

What does the term 'total war' refer to in the context of WWI?

The complete mobilization of a nation's resources for the war effort.

What were the consequences of the 'war guilt' clause in the Treaty of Versailles?

Germany was blamed for the war and faced severe penalties.

What was the primary function of gas masks during WWI?

To protect soldiers from chemical warfare.

Which battle was one of the first uses of tanks in combat?

The Battle of the Somme.

What did the Ottoman Empire hope to achieve by joining the Central Powers?

To regain territory and maintain its empire.

What advantage did the Allies gain from the American entrance into the war?

Fresh troops and resources to bolster their efforts.

What was the significance of the Battle of Verdun?

It was one of the longest battles of WWI, symbolizing French determination.

Who was Alvin York and what is he known for?

An American soldier who captured 132 Germans in a single encounter.

What were the effects of trench life on soldiers?

Poor sanitation, disease, and psychological trauma.

What did the term 'home front' mean during WWII?

The civilian effort to support the war through labor and resources.

What did peace treaties after World War I aim to prevent?

Future conflicts and wars through territorial and military restrictions.

What role did British and French forces play in countering the German advance?

They conducted a significant counter-offensive during the First Battle of the Marne.