WW1 Unit Study

Militarism

Nations built up massive militaries, increasing tensions and competition.

Alliances

Secret agreements between nations led to a domino effect of war declarations.

Nationalism

Intense national pride led to tensions, especially in the Balkans.

Imperialism

European powers competed for colonies, creating conflicts.

Assassination

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed by a Serbian nationalist, triggering WW1.

The Black Hand Group

Serbian nationalist group that assassinated Franz Ferdinand.

Franz Ferdinand

Heir to Austria-Hungary, assassinated in 1914, sparking WW1.

Declarations of War

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia; alliances escalated the conflict.

Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (Italy later joined Allies).

Triple Entente

France, Russia, Britain (later included U.S. and Italy).

Allied Powers

France, Britain, Russia (until 1917), U.S. (1917), Italy, and others.

Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany’s plan to avoid a two-front war; failed in France.

Stalemate

Neither side could gain an advantage, especially on the Western Front.

War of Attrition

Strategy of wearing down the enemy with continuous losses.

Trench Warfare

Brutal conditions with mud, rats, disease, and constant attacks.

Military Technology

Machine guns, tanks, poison gas, and airplanes increased destruction.

Total War Mobilization

Entire societies, including civilians, contributed to war efforts.

War on the Western Front

Defined by trench warfare, massive casualties, and little territorial gain.

Japan 21 Demands

Japan tried to dominate China in 1915, increasing tensions.

Europe’s Colonies in War

Colonized soldiers fought for European powers.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany sank ships without warning, including American ones.

Lusitania

British passenger ship sunk by Germany, killing 128 Americans.

Zimmermann Telegram

Germany proposed a Mexico-Germany alliance, pushing the U.S. into war.

14 Points

Wilson’s plan for peace, including the League of Nations and self-determination.

Treaty of Versailles

Germany took full blame, paid reparations, and lost land and military strength.

Big 4 at Peace Conference:

Wilson (USA)

Wanted lasting peace (14 Points).

Clemenceau (France)

Wanted to punish Germany harshly.

Lloyd George (Britain)

Balanced punishment with future stability.

Orlando (Italy)

Wanted promised land.

League of Nations

Created to prevent future wars, but lacked U.S. support.

Self-Determination

The right of nations to rule themselves, inspired by Wilson’s 14 Points.

Romanov Family

Russian royal family, executed by Bolsheviks in 1918.

Lenin

Leader of the Bolsheviks, established communist Russia.

February/March Revolution

Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, and the Provisional Government took over.

Provisional Government

Temporary government that continued WW1, losing public support.

October Revolution

Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government, taking control.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Russia left WW1, giving Germany territory in exchange for peace.

Russian Civil War

Bolsheviks (Reds) vs. Mensheviks (Whites); Bolsheviks won.