The Great War

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from lectures on the Great War, including alliances, nationalism, militarism, war strategies, and peace terms.

Triple Alliance

An alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Italy later bailed and was replaced by the Ottomans.

Triple Entente

An alliance between France, Russia, and England. This was a non-binding agreement.

Nationalism

Extreme pride and patriotism in one’s country, a major cause of international tension.

Imperialism

Domination by one country over the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region.

Militarism

Glorification of the use of the military, painting war in a romantic color.

Alsace-Lorraine

A border region between Germany and France taken by Bismarck in the Franco-Prussian War.

Pan-Slavism

Russian inspired nationalism that inspired all Slavic people to share a common nationality.

Black Hand

Serbian extremist group that opposed Austrian rule.

Ultimatum

A final set of demands, such as the one Austria-Hungary sent to Serbia.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's plan to avoid fighting a 2 front war by quickly defeating France and then focusing on Russia.

Entente

A non-binding agreement.

Mobilize

To prepare military forces for war.

Neutrality

Policy of supporting neither side in a war.

Stalemate

Deadlock in which neither side is able to defeat the other.

Zeppelin

Large gas-filled balloon used by Germans to bomb the English coast.

U-boat

German submarine used to wage unrestricted warfare.

Convoy

Group of merchant ships protected by warships.

Dardanelles

Vital strait connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in Turkey.

Total War

Channeling a nation’s entire resources into the war effort.

Conscription

Military draft.

Contraband

Military supplies or raw materials that are legally confiscated.

Lusitania

British liner torpedoed by a German submarine in May 1915.

Propaganda

Spreading of ideas to promote a cause or to damage an opposing cause.

Atrocity

Horrible act committed against innocent people.

Fourteen Points

Wilson’s plan to peacefully end the war.

Self determination

Right for people to choose their own government.

Armistice

Agreement to end fighting in a war.

Pandemic

Spread of disease across a large area, country, continent, or entire world.

Reparation

Payment for war damage or damage caused by imprisonment.

Radical

Extremist, wants extreme changes to happen.

Collective security

System in which a group of nations acts as one to preserve the peace of all.

Mandate

After WWI, a territory administered by a Western power.