World War I, Russian Revolution, and Economic Crisis Flashcards

Flashcards about World War I, Russian Revolution, and Economic Crisis

Militarism

The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war; a major cause of WWI.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne whose assassination in 1914 sparked WWI.

Gavrilo Princip

Serbian nationalist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, triggering WWI.

Central Powers

WWI alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Allies

WWI alliance of France, Britain, Russia, later joined by Italy and the U.S.

Trench Warfare

Type of fighting during WWI in which both sides dug trenches, leading to stalemates.

Stalemate

A situation in which neither side can win; common in WWI due to trench warfare.

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting; WWI armistice was signed on November 11, 1918.

Poison Gas

A new and deadly weapon used during WWI causing blindness, blisters, and death.

Barbed Wire

Used extensively in WWI to protect trenches and slow enemy movement.

Genocide

The deliberate killing of a large group; the Armenian Genocide occurred during WWI by the Ottoman Empire.

Mandate System

A system established by the League of Nations to administer former Ottoman and German territories; sparked resentment and colonial tensions.

Communism

A political theory advocating class war and leading to a classless society; established in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution. Everything produced goes to the government and gets distributed to the people

Proletariat

The working class, whom Marx believed would rise in revolution against the bourgeoisie.

Fascism

A far-right, authoritarian ideology that rose partly in reaction to communism and economic instability.

Karl Marx

Philosopher whose ideas on communism inspired the Russian Revolution.

Bolshevik

Radical Marxist faction led by Lenin that seized power in Russia in 1917.

Duma

Russia’s legislative body; had limited power and failed to prevent revolution.

Provisional Government

Temporary government set up after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II; overthrown by the Bolsheviks.

Leon Trotsky

Bolshevik leader and key figure in the Russian Revolution and Red Army.

Woodrow Wilson

U.S. President who proposed the Fourteen Points and supported the League of Nations.

David Lloyd George

British Prime Minister who wanted to punish Germany but also rebuild trade.

Georges Clemenceau

French Premier who demanded harsh penalties for Germany.

Reparations / Treaty of Versailles

Treaty ending WWI; imposed harsh penalties on Germany including financial reparations.

League of Nations

International organization formed after WWI to prevent future wars; lacked enforcement power.

Totalitarian

A form of government with total control over all aspects of life; rose in response to instability.

Great Depression

A severe global economic downturn starting in 1929 that worsened political instability.

Gold Standard

A monetary system where currency value is backed by gold; rigid and blamed for worsening the Depression.

Speculation

Risky investment practices that contributed to the 1929 stock market crash.

John Maynard Keynes

Economist who argued that government spending could help pull an economy out of depression.