WWI Notes & Timeline

World War I

A global conflict fought between 1914 and 1918, also known as the Great War.

Militarism

The buildup of large armies in Europe, creating an environment ripe for war.

Alliances

A complex web of treaties obligating countries to defend one another.

Imperialism

Competition for colonies that created tension between major European powers.

Nationalism

A strong sense of national pride and unity, sometimes leading to desires for independence or dominance.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The immediate trigger of World War I, occurring on June 28, 1914.

Allied Powers

Countries including Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States.

Central Powers

Countries including Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Armistice

An agreement signed on November 11, 1918, to end the fighting in World War I.

Machine guns

A new technology that increased the rate of fire and defensive capabilities during the war.

Poison gas

A weapon used to demoralize and incapacitate enemy troops.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that imposed harsh terms on Germany, redrawing borders and limiting military capabilities.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points

A set of principles for peace negotiations proposed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918.

Open Diplomacy

Advocated for transparent agreements of peace rather than secret treaties as part of Wilson's Fourteen Points.

Self-determination

The right of nations to choose their own sovereignty and type of government.