World War I Flashcards

Flashcards covering key events, terms, and figures of World War I.

What were the Allied Powers in World War I?

Britain, France, Russia, and later the U.S. and Italy

What is an armistice?

A formal agreement to stop fighting; WWI ended with the armistice on November 11, 1918.

What region was known as the "powder keg" of Europe?

The Balkans, known for its ethnic tensions

Who were the Central Powers in World War I?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria

What was the Eastern Front?

The battlefield along Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, characterized by more mobile warfare.

What conflict led to lasting tensions between France and Germany before WWI?

The Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)

What was the Lusitania?

A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, leading to American outrage.

What is militarism?

The belief that a strong military is essential for a nation's power, leading to military buildup.

What is nationalism?

Extreme pride in one's country or ethnic group, which contributed to tensions, especially in the Balkans.

What was "No Man’s Land"?

The dangerous area between enemy trenches, filled with barbed wire and deadly machine-gun fire.

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Germany’s strategy to defeat France first before turning to fight Russia; this failed in 1914.

What is a Stalemate

A situation in war where neither side can gain an advantage, leading to long periods of trench warfare.

What was the Sykes-Picot Agreement?

A secret 1916 agreement between Britain and France to divide the Ottoman Empire’s lands after WWI.

What is trench foot?

A painful and dangerous infection caused by soldiers standing in cold, wet, and muddy trenches for long periods, often leading to amputations.

What is Trench Warfare?

A style of fighting where both sides dug deep trenches for protection, common on the Western Front.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

The peace treaty signed in 1919, blaming Germany for the war and imposing harsh penalties.

What were U-boats?

German submarines used to attack Allied ships, leading to U.S. involvement in the war.

What was the Western Front?

The battlefield along France and Belgium, where trench warfare was most intense between Germany and the Allies.

What was the Zimmermann Telegram?

A secret German message to Mexico, encouraging them to attack the United States, which helped push the U.S. into the war.

What event triggered the start of World War I?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914.

What countries formed the Triple Alliance?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

What countries formed the Triple Entente?

Britain, France, and Russia

What were the M.A.I.N. causes of WWI?

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism

What was the Schlieffen Plan designed to do?

Avoid fighting on two fronts by defeating France first, then turning to fight Russia.

What was Seferberlik?

Ottoman policy meaning mobilization, impacting the Levant region during WWI.

What was the Battle of Verdun?

A long and deadly battle in 1916 where Germany tried to "bleed France dry."

What was the Battle of the Somme?

A massive battle in 1916 marked by heavy casualties and the introduction of tanks.

What two major events in 1917 changed the direction of WWI?

Russia withdrawing from the war and the United States joining the war.

What caused the US to join World War I?

Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram.

When did Germany agree to an armistice?

November 11, 1918

What were the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?

Accepting blame for the war, paying reparations, reducing its military, and losing territory.

Which four major empires collapsed due to World War I?

The Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, German, and Russian Empires.

What was the League of Nations?

Organization created to promote peaceful discussions and prevent future wars.

What did the Sykes-Picot Agreement do?

Planned how Britain/France would divide the Ottoman Empire’s lands after WWI.

What countries came under British and French control after the Ottoman Empire collapsed?

Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq (Britain); Syria and Lebanon (France).

Who was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk?

Leader of modern Turkey who rejected European control after WWI.