World War 1

Who were the Central Powers?

Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria

Who were the Allies?

Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, later joined by Italy and US

Who was Kaiser Wilhelm?

Emperor of Germany during WWI

Who was Franz Joseph?

The ruler of Austria-Hungary when WWI started.

Who was George V?

King of England during WWI

Who was Nicholas II?

Last tsar of Russia

What was Austria-Hungary like before WW1?

Dual Monarchy/internal conflicts bc of several ethnic groups seeking autonomy in Austria-Hungary

What was the Ottoman Empire like before WW1?

Once mighty but started to fall apart

What was France like before WW1?

Gave up province Alsace & Lorraine to Germany after Franco-Prussian War --> bad blood with Germany

What was Russia like before WW1?

Stuck in old times --> led to Russian Revolution

What was Italy like before WW1?

Entered war for promised rewards but ended up not getting any

What was Serbia like before WW1?

Won independence from Turks --> unified Slavs & Balkans

What was the US like before WW1?

Entered war in 1917 (towards the end)

What were defensive Weapons? Some examples?

advanced technology --> faster and more lethal weaponry (Tanks, Dreadnoughts)

What was the German Schlieffen Plan?

Germany focused on fighting France before Russia by quickly invading Belgium

What was the Black Hand?

Secret Serbian nationalist organization that wanted to create Greater Serbia

Who was Franz Ferdinand? Why is he important?

Archduke of Austria-Hungary assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. A major catalyst for WWI.

What was the Blank Check?

Unconditional support from Germany to Austria-Hungary

What was the Scrap of Paper?

The treaty of London of 1839 by which the Great Powers guaranteed the neutrality of Belgium.

What was the Battle of the Marne?

A major French victory against the invading German army at the start of WWI. In reality lost Germany the war.

What was the Western Front?

battle front between Belgium and France

What was the No Man's Land?

Territory between rival Trenches, very dangerous

What was the Battle of the Somme?

Between Germans and British army who used tanks for the first time

What was the Battle of Tannenberg?

Germany defeated Russian Army

What was the Russian Revolution?

Got rid of Nicholas II and took over Romanov Dynasty

What was the Brest-Litovsk Treaty?

It was the treaty that marked the end of Russia's involvement in World War I.

What was the British Blockade? How did Germany respond?

Britain blocked its ports so Germany wouldn't have access to American goods. Germany responded with U-boats and sunk US ships

What was Lusitania?

American passenger boat sunk by Germany because of alleged ammunition being carried (this was true). This eventually drove US into war

Who was Alfred Zimmerman?

German Foreign Secretary who proposed an alliance between Mexico and US

What did President Wilson famously declare?

That the "World must be safe for decmocracy"

What was the Selective Service Act?

Required all men between 21 and 30 to register for the draft

What was the Rape of Belgium?

Propaganda created by Great Britain and the US in order to build support during war that said German soldiers mass raped women in Belgium

What was Wilson's Fourteen Points?

His peace of plan after the war that included self-determination for all ethnic groups and the creation of the League of Nations

What happened during the Battle of Chateau?

AEF's (American Expeditionary Forces) first battles in France

What happened during the Second Battle of the Marne?

Germans began to retreat

What happened during the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne Forest?

the US was still busy battling more than they anticipated

What was the Armistice?

A peace agreement to stop fighting

What was the Dolchstoss Legend?

A conspiracy theory that Germany lost because of Jewish civilians who "stabbed Germany in the back"

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

Treaty that ended WWI (Russia, Germany, and Austria were excluded from peace talks which created resentment and distrust and eventually WW2)