ww1 notes

Romanov dynasty

Romanov dynasty

The ruling dynasty in Russia that lasted for several centuries.

Czar/tsar

The title given to the Russian ruler, similar to the Roman title of Caesar.

Byzantine Empire

The eastern half of the Roman Empire that continued to exist after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Orthodox Christianity

The branch of Christianity that originated in the Byzantine Empire and became the dominant religion in Russia.

Cyrillic language

The writing system used for many Slavic languages, including Russian.

Caesaropapism

The combination of government and religious power in one person, as seen in the Russian tsars.

Peter the Great

The Russian tsar who modernized Russia by adopting European practices and building St. Petersburg.

Catherine the Great

The Russian empress who expanded the Russian Empire and implemented reforms.

Alexander I

The enigmatic tsar who initially wanted to introduce liberalism and rights but faced challenges in implementing them.

Nicholas I

The reluctant autocrat who was conservative and implemented censorship and serfdom.

Alexander II

The tsar-liberator who emancipated the serfs and introduced capitalist reforms.

Alexander III

The last autocrat who opposed liberalism and focused on russianness and oppression of Jews.

Nicholas II

The last emperor of Russia who delegated power and faced opposition, including the influence of Rasputin.

Ottoman Empire

The empire that was in decline during the 19th century and faced challenges from nationalism and internal rebellion.

Triple Alliance

The alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy before World War I.

Triple Entente

The alliance between France, Russia, and Britain before World War I.

Balkan Wars

The series of conflicts in the Balkan region that led to territorial changes and tensions in Europe.

Causes of World War I

The factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War I, including militarism, alliances, nationalism, imperialism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Battle of Marne

The battle during World War I where the British and French forces launched an offensive against the Germans and halted their advance.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's military strategy to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium and then turning to fight Russia.

Trench Warfare

A type of warfare where opposing armies dig trenches to protect themselves from enemy fire, resulting in a stalemate and little movement on the front lines.

Gas Attacks

The use of poisonous gases, such as chlorine and tear gas, by both the Germans and the Allies during World War I to incapacitate or kill enemy soldiers.

Battle of Neuve Chapelle

A battle in March 1915 where British and Indian forces overcame German troops, creating a hole in the German trenches and enabling the British to pass through.

Battle of Ypres

A series of battles in April and May 1915 where the Germans used tear gas against the French and British forces, resulting in heavy casualties. First large use of poison gas on western front

Lusitania

A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-boat in May 1915, leading to increased tensions between the United States and Germany.

Battle of Verdun

A major battle in 1916 where the Germans launched a massive offensive against the French, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. French ultimately hold out

Battle of the Somme

A battle in 1916 where the British and French launched a major offensive against the Germans, resulting in high casualties and little territorial gain.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany's policy of sinking any ship, including civilian and hospital ships, without warning using submarines during World War I.

Russian Revolution

The overthrow of the Russian monarchy in 1917, leading to the establishment of a communist government and Russia's withdrawal from the war.

American Declaration of War

The United States' entry into World War I in 1917 after the sinking of the Lusitania and Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare.

Armistice

An agreement to cease fighting, signed on November 11, 1918, that ended World War I.

Battle of Belleau Wood

A major battle in 1918 where the United States fought against German forces, marking a significant action by American troops in the war.

Operation Michael

A German offensive launched in March 1918, also known as the Spring Offensive, aimed at breaking the stalemate on the Western Front. Germans broke through british lines but didn’t do much beyond that

Second Battle of Marne

A successful counterattack by the Allies against the Germans in July 1918, marking a turning point in the war.

Fall of the Ottoman Empire

The collapse of the Ottoman Empire as a result of their defeat in World War I and the subsequent nationalist movements in the region.

President Wilson's Fourteen Points

A set of principles proposed by President Wilson as the basis for peace negotiations after World War I.

Reichstag

The parliament of Germany, created when Kaiser Wilhelm demoted himself to a Constitutional Monarch.

Mutiny

A revolt or rebellion, in this case, referring to the mutiny of German sailors and revolutionaries against the war.

Friedrich Ebert

The replacement for Prince Max as the German chancellor.

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting, in this case, referring to the agreement signed on November 11, 1918, that ended World War I.

Reparations

Payments made by Germany to Britain and France as part of the Treaty of Versailles to compensate for the damages caused during the war.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty signed in 1919 that officially ended World War I and imposed harsh terms on Germany.

War Communism

An economic policy implemented by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War, aiming to create a pure communist society but resulting in a wrecked economy.

Treaty of Saint Germain-en-Laye

The treaty signed in 1919 that recognized the nation of Yugoslavia.

Treaty of Trianon

The treaty signed in 1920 that divided the Austro-Hungarian Empire into its ethnic groups, creating Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Yugoslavia.

Ludendorff

German general and politician during World War I. He served as the chief strategist and effectively ran the German war effort. Ludendorff's military tactics and leadership played a significant role in shaping the outcome of the war. After the war, he became involved in far-right politics in Germany.

Ferdinand Foch

French military commander during World War I, known for his strategic leadership and the development of modern warfare tactics.

blank check

An agreement (especially of the Germans) of unlimited military support

Operation Georgette

offensive launched by the German Army in April 1918. Aimed at breaking the Allied lines in Flanders, it resulted in significant gains for the Germans but ultimately failed to achieve its objectives. The operation marked a turning point in the war, as it exhausted German resources and weakened their position

Operation Blücher-Yorck

a German offensive in World War I in 1918. Led by General Oskar von Hutier, it aimed to break through the Allied lines in France. Although it had initial success, Allied counterattacks halted the operation. This marked a turning point in the war and contributed to the eventual German defeat.

Joseph Joffre

In charge of french western front, under Foch. He is credited with developing the concept of "elastic defense," which involved flexible positioning of troops and fortifications. Geoffre played a crucial role in the Battle of the Marne, successfully halting the German advance towards Paris in 1914.

Erich von Falkenhayn

German military commander during World War I who served as Chief of the General Staff from 1914-1916. Known for his strategy of attrition, he believed that by inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, victory could be achieved. He is most famous for his role in the Battle of Verdun in 1916. Replaced moltke after failure of schlieffen plan

Moltke the younger

Developed the concept of total war and emphasized the importance of strategic planning and coordination. Developed the Schlieffen plan

Paul von Hindenburg

During World War I, Paul von Hindenburg, a German military commander, served as the Chief of the General Staff of the German Army from 1916 to 1919. Alongside his deputy Erich Ludendorff, Hindenburg implemented the strategy of "total war" and led German forces in key battles like the Battle of Tannenberg and the Battle of the Masurian Lakes. His victories on the Eastern Front boosted German morale but also contributed to Germany's eventual defeat. Overall, Hindenburg's leadership greatly influenced the war's outcome.

Tready of Brest-litovsk

Treaty signed by Lenin through which Russia withdrew from world war 1

war of attrition

A prolonged military strategy where both sides aim to exhaust the enemy's resources and will to fight, rather than achieving a quick victory. It involves continuous small-scale engagements, wearing down the opponent's forces over time.

Zimmerman telegram

Secret message sent by Germany to Mexico during World War I, proposing an alliance against the United States. Intercepted by British intelligence, it played a significant role in influencing the U.S. decision to enter the war on the side of the Allies.

Article 231

The clause that held Germany responsible for the damages caused during WWI, leading to reparations and the Treaty of Versailles.

Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic was the democratic government established in Germany after World War I, from 1919 to 1933. It faced economic instability, political unrest, and the rise of extremist groups. Its failure led to the rise of the Nazi Party and the eventual collapse of democracy in Germany.

Battle of Gallipoli

Major World War I battle fought in 1915 on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. Allied forces, mainly from Australia and New Zealand, attempted to secure a sea route to Russia by capturing the Ottoman Empire's capital, Constantinople. However, they faced strong resistance and suffered heavy casualties, ultimately resulting in their withdrawal.

Plan XVII

French military strategy during WWI

Offensive plan to quickly defeat Germany

Focused on offensive maneuvers in Alsace-Lorraine

Failed due to German defensive strength

Resulted in heavy French casualties and stalemate

Alsace and Lorraine

Region in northeastern France, historically disputed between France and Germany. Annexed by Germany after Franco-Prussian War, returned to France after World War I. Source of tension and territorial disputes between the two countries.

John J Pershing

General who led the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI. Known for his leadership and strategic skills. Played a key role in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a major Allied victory.

Battle of Belleu-wood

Fierce World War I battle fought between the U.S. Marine Corps, french british gainst German forces in 1918. US victory helped halt German advance and boosted morale.

Mustafa Kemal

Led Ottoman victory in Gallipoli

Douglas Haig

British general during World War I, known for his leadership in the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele. Criticized for his tactics and high casualties, but credited with helping to secure victory for the Allies.

Luigi Cardona

Italian commander

ANZACS

Soldiers from Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, notably fought in battle of Gallipoli

Lloyd George

Britsih PM at start of war

Winston Churchill

PM who succeded George

Battle of Aisne

Early allied offensive in which Germans continued retreat and eventually built trenches, marking the start of trench warfare.

Battle of Mons

between the British Expeditionary Force and the German Army. It was the first major engagement for the British in the war. Despite being outnumbered, the British put up a strong resistance but eventually had to retreat due to overwhelming German forces.

Maximilian von Prittwitz

German general during World War I who commanded the 8th Army. He was known for his cautious approach and lack of aggression, which led to the defeat of his army during the Battle of Tannenberg in 1914.

Georges Clemenceau

French PM who was one of Big Three in negotations after war

Franz Joseph

Emperor of Austria-Hungary from 1848 to 1916. Ruled during a period of great change and turmoil in Europe. Known for his conservatism and resistance to political reform. Oversaw the rapid industrialization of Austria-Hungary but struggled to maintain stability within the empire. Assassination of his heir, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, triggered World War I.

Franz Graf Conrad von Hötzendorf

Austro-Hungarian general during WWI. Known for his aggressive military strategies and advocating for a preemptive strike against Serbia. Lacked flexibility and failed to adapt to the changing nature of warfare. Controversial figure, criticized for his role in the failures of the Austro-Hungarian army.

Battle of Bolimov

A World War I battle fought in Poland on January 31, 1915. It was known for the first use of chemical weapons by the Germans, who released gas-filled shells. However, the gas was ineffective due to the cold weather, and the battle ended in a stalemate.

Alexsei Brusilov

He developed the Brusilov Offensive, a successful military strategy that inflicted heavy losses on the Central Powers. The offensive involved a series of coordinated attacks along the Eastern Front, aiming to overwhelm and break through enemy lines.

King Albert

Belgian King during ww1