Imperialism
conflicts of nationalism, rivalries over territories
Balkan War 1912-1913
Increased Serbia’s territory by 80% → increase in panslavism
Pan-Slavism
belief in a united Slavic state
Russo-Turkish War
Solved diplomatically, won by Russia, increased dissent b/w Russia and Austria-Hungary/Germany
Weltpolitik
Belief that Germany should be able to get involved in international affairs, sought to increase prestige by increasing naval power and imperialism
Moroccan Crisis 1905
North African region supported by Anglo-French entente, The French try to expand control → German objection → French ignore → German threat of aggression → Algericas Conference
Algericas Conference
Conference ending with the concession of Germany after a threat on French imperialism
Moroccan Crisis 1911
France and Germany move troops into Morocco, France and Britain pushed back and Germany was forced to accept parts of the French Congo (instead of Moroccan land)
Dual Alliance
Formed between Austria-Hungary and Germany in 1878
Triple Alliance (defensive military alliance)
Italy joined with Austria-Hungary and Germany in 1882
Franco-Russian Military Alliance. 1894
In response to growing German power (france and russia)
Ententé Cordiale 1904 (non-military)
Between Britain and France
Anglo-Russian Convention 1907 (non-military)
British and Russian alliance
Triple Ententé
joining of Anglo-Russian convention and Ententé Cordiale
Dreadnought
British ships launched in 1908, meant to be a new horizon for naval warfare
Schlieffen Plan
German plan to surround Paris and defeat France within 6 weeks and face Russia before it mobilized (prevent two-front war)
Blank Cheque Guarantee
declaration by Germany that any action by Austria-Hungary against Serbia was backed and defended by Germany
Total War
breach of traditional boundaries of warfare, attacks on the civilian population
Treaty of London 1839
Declaration that Britain would defend Belgian neutrality, brought Britain into the war when Germany entered Belgium
Preliminary Artillery Bombardment
pre-attack air bombing, ineffective due to:
inaccuracy
high proportion duds
didn’t destroy any barbed wire or hit anyone
acted as a warning prior to attack
Creeping Barrage
Happened simultaneously with the charge to advance, large number of field guns would fire to provide cover for advancing troops, failed due to:
bad planning (either to soon— no cover— or too late— friendly fire)
low accuracy
Gallipoli
was supposed to increase Entente moral
knock out the Ottoman empire
open route to Russia
open another front
Had to evacuate
Verdun
crucial for moral and defense
German attack ordered to draw french reinforcements and weaken western fron
Germany only gained 8km by end of battle
The Somme
first use of Tanks (ineffective)
advanced 13km
Zimmerman Telegram
Document proposing alliance between Mexico and Germany, intercepted by US
Russian Revolution 1917
Tsar replaced by a provisional government that launched a failed offensive → 2nd Revolution (Bolshevik)
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Passed under the Bolshevik Russian government with Germany, pulled Russia out of the war
Ludendorff Offensive 1918
German offensive, Broke the stalemate on the Western Front
“last push” due to low materiel
preceded by a short and intense aerial bombardment and quick “stormtroop” infantry attacking weakpoints
gained 65km in one week
Second Battle of Marne caused German retreat
Treaty in November 1918 ceased fighting
Arab Revolt
caused by Ottoman attack on Suez canal
British encouraged revolt for promise of independence post-war
→ ottoman surrender