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What are some other names for WWI?
The Great War, the War to End all Wars (due to the unparalleled desctruction)
Competition between European powers in the Long 19th Century
European powers competed to be stronger and stronger and bigger and better, leading to an arms race
WWI Arms Race
European powers all wanted to be stronger and stronger leading to a feedback loop of military power escalation
Name of the Triple Entente
Allied Powers
Triple Entente Members
Britain, France, Russia (who exited), later Italy, much later US, and later Japan
Name of the Triple Alliance
Central Powers
Triple Alliance Members
Germany, Austro-Hungary, Italy (swapped sides), Ottoman Empire
What are the main fronts in the war?
Western Front, Eastern Front, and Diversionary Fronts
Western Front
200 miles long, ran from English Channel to Swiss Alps
Eastern Front
Austro-Hungarian and German incursions into Russia
War of attrition
The sustained process of wearing down an opponent to force their collapse/surrender
What was considered a "powder keg"?
The Balkans
How is WWI the first modern war?
It had an unprecedented amount of death and suffering, and the kinds of warfare and technology used were completely new
How is WWI a turning point in history?
There was no longer global peace like there had been at the gathering of the funeral of Edward VII
What is MANIA?
An acyronym for the reasons why WWI happened. Militarism, Alliances, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Assassination is what it stands for.
How did MANIA contribute start WWI?
Each of the aspects combined created perfect conditions, with the assassination being the final spark that ignited war
Militarism [MANIA]
In the early 1900s, Europeans thought they needed strong militaries to be great. Militarism also increased patriotism. An arms race happened. Britain and Germany competed the most. Countries can also get more colonies.
Alliances [MANIA]
Growing rivalries and distrust led to European powers signing treaties. Two main alliances emerged. A bunch of alliances triggered, creating a globalized war.
Nationalism [MANIA]
A fierce rivalry had developed between Europe's "Great Powers" and the tensions were building. The Balkans were problematic.
Imperialism [MANIA]
There was fierce competition for colonies plus lots of raw materials, markets, and places to drag into war.
Assassination [MANIA]
Archduke Franz Ferdinand went on a goodwill visit and gets killed by the Black Hand.
What domino effect did the start of the war have?
Alliances triggered and numerous people got brought into the war.
Schlieffen Plan
An extremely aggro plan by Germany to sweep through Belgium, crush France, and move onto Russia. Led to the Rape of Belgium.
Rape of Belgium
A continual series of atrocities and war crimes committed by the Germans. Brought the Brits into the war and helped with Allied propaganda. Soldiers terrorized and executed citizens, plundered, and burned things down.
British blockade of Germany
After the Rape of Belgium, the British immediately used their navy to blockade Germany and stop supplies from getting into their ports
Illusions about the war
Most people thought that their nation's cause was just, the war would end quick, and that it would end quickly because it would destroy a nation's economy.
Race to the Sea
Germany and the Allies repeatedly out-flank the other. Eventually, they have troops lined up all the way.
To which country are the Fronts relative to?
Germany
Explain the stalemate on the Western Front.
The First Battle of the Marne stops Germany's march to Paris and leads to trench warfare and both sides making no progress.
What kind of warfare was prevalent on the Western Front?
Trench warfare
Shell shock
A mental disorder developed due to a severe trauma
Where did most people get shell shock?
The trenches
How does the Eastern Front most significantly differ from the Western Front?
The eastern front had far more mobility and more traditional warfare, whereas the western front has more trenches.
Who dominated on the Eastern Front and why?
The Germans defeated the Russians when combined with the Austro-Hungarians because of internal weaknesses in Russia.
Who failed the worst on the Eastern Front and why?
The Russians due to untrained soldiers, a weak leader and economy, and other internal weaknesses.
What are the Diversionary Fronts
Gallipoli (Türkiye), Italy, Balkans, and North Africa
Trench Warfare
12ft deep holes constructed in interconnected parallel lines are constructed to fight each other. There is barbed wire, duckboards, sandbags, etc. The trenches were miserable.
Why did trench warfare begin?
Trench warfare begun because of the stalemate and Race to the Sea. They could no longer flank each other more and instead dug in and fought with little to no mobility.
What are the physical features of trench warfare?
12ft deep holes constructed in interconnected parallel lines on both sides with No Man's Land in the middle.
How was the soldier's experience in trench warfare?
The soldier was miserable. They were cold, wet, muddy, unhygienic, filled with corpses, and infested with vermin. Soldiers would commonly get trench foot.
Trench Foot
A condition that comes from constant exposure to cold water. It can lead to gangrene and amputation in extreme cases
First Battle of the Marne
An early-war unexpected counterattack against the German offensive by the Allies on the Marne River (20 miles from Paris). Germany's advance was halted, leading to the stalemate and an Allied morale boost. Military airplanes, radio, and motor transport were first used here.
Second Battle of the Marne
Very late-war battle where Germany used up all reserve troops on a final offensive, but crumbled after an American-reinforced Allied counterattack. It ended the war with an Allied victory.
Gallipoli Campaign
A mid-war campaign where the British tried to navally force the Ottoman Empire out in northern Turkey. They wanted to attack Constantinople by sea so they had to bomb the Dardanelles. This failed, and it turned into 8 months of brutal land fighting. The Ottomans were underestimated and given a chance to prepare after the British were slow to change strategy.
Battle of Verdun
Longest battle of WWI in the middle of the war. The Germans attacked the reinforced Verdun, and the French won. However, it traumatized the French and gutted their forces.
Battle of the Somme
Mid-war battle where the allied wanted to comeback and defeat Germany after Verdun. Over 1 million died. It became a battle of attrition and tanks entered the war. It represented the futility of the war, was a necessity for the Allies, and forced the Germans to retreat behind their defensive line.
Battle of the Tannenberg
An Eastern Front battle in modern Poland where the Germans crushed the unprepared Russians despite their great number. It exposed the Russians and drew troops away from the Schlieffen.
What happened to technology during WWI?
Technology underwent significant changes and various innovative technologies appeared. Military science was revolutionized as spending increased.
Describe communications technology in WWI
Wired and wireless telegraphs were used in addition to mobile radios that could be carried by troops. Carrier pigeons were also used early on. Some tech was developed to spy on various methods.
Describe the development of airplanes in WWI
There were reconnaissance planes and aerial photography, with later developments leading to dogfights in the air and bomber planes.
Describe the use of submarines in WWI
Germany led the way with U-Boats that destroyed merchant vessels and harmed supply lines, leading to diplomatic consequences. Allied submarines and sea mines later emerged as countermeasures.
Describe the creation and usage of tanks in WWI
The Allies led the way in terms of tanks and the British army used the Mark I tank. The French also deployed numerous tanks. On the other hand, the Germans only deployed 18 tanks.
Describe the utility and uses of machine guns in WWI
The Maxim and Hotchkiss machine guns turned the No Man's Land into a killing zone. Later on, the Lewis LMG was developed as it was far more portable and usable in mobile battles. The use of machine guns was one of the major things that skyrocketed the death toll in the war.
Describe chemical warfare in WWI
Chlorine gas was used originally with a yellow-green color that caused irritation and asphyxiation. Later, Phosgene and Mustard gas came into play, with Mustard gas temporarily blistering and blinding many soldiers. Gas masks were sometimes effective, sometimes futile.
Was the warfare localized or global?
The warfare was of a global nature. Almost all of Europe was involved, and other countries and colonies got dragged in as well.
How were the experiences of colonial soldiers?
Colonial soldiers were dragged into the war and fought alongside other troops.
What did colonial people usually do to support the war?
Hundreds of thousands of colonial people, particularly Africans, were used on all fronts for labor. Over 100k died from disease, starvation, and neglect.
Why did the US enter into war?
The US entered the war because the Germans sunk their merchant ships, killed American civilians on the Lusitania, and called up Mexico against them in the Zimmermann Telegram.
Sinking of the Lusitania
German U-boats sunk an unarmed British ship carrying war supplies, killing 139 American civilians in the process and angering the US public.
Zimmermann Telegram
The British intercepted a telegram from the Germans to the Mexicans government offering support if they fought into the US and joined their side. They offered to return land Mexico lost to the US. The US were not happy when they heard about it.
Explain Russia's exit from WWI
Russia had a massive army but was not industrialized, so many soldiers did not have the supplies they needed. 800k died after 1 year and public support/morale was destroyed. The Tsar also took personal command of army causing internal political issues. They finally exited after the Central Powers pushed into Russian territory.
Why was an armistice signed and what were the details?
Allies were unwilling to make peace with the Kaiser, Germans reformed to make a liberal government. The new German government and the Allies agreed to stop fighting on the 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month.
Who won WWI?
Allies
Who lost WWI?
Central Powers, Germany (possibly Russia)
How did the war end?
The Armistice of Nov 11 was signed.
Total war
Warfare that utilizes and affects every aspect of a society.
List components of total war
1. Mobilization
2. No compromise
3. Total societal control
4. The blurring of civil and military roles
What roles did women play in WWI?
Most women did not serve, but instead took up previously male jobs. Some did volunteer on the front line as nurses, doctors, translators, etc. They planed war gardens, limited consumption, and overall kept up morale.
What impacts did WWI have on civilians and the home front?
Unemployment ended in Europe, trade unions developed, women's status improved, there was a new sense of community, food shortages occurred, and total war happened.
Propaganda
Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.
Explain the use of propaganda in WWI
Propaganda posters were used to influence people's decisions and to increase support for the war effort.
Explain the widening of the war
The stalemate on the Western Front encouraged both sides to look for new allies. The Middle East and North Africa were controlled by the Ottomans, India + ANZAC was British, Africa was split but primarily Allied. Thailand supported France, and France also got southeast Asian troops. The US entered as well.
What are the three main stages of WWI and what time periods did they last?
1914-1915: Illusions and Stalemate
1916-1917: The Great Slaughter
1918: The Last Year of the War
In what ways did a sense of competition develop between European powers during the Long 19th Century?
Competition stemmed from the rise of industrialization, nationalism, and imperialism. Industrialization led to a need for both raw materials and markets to sell finished products, and as more countries began to industrialize during this time period, the competition intensified and ultimately spurred them to imperialize continents like Asia and Africa. The competition for colonies was so fierce that European leaders met at the Berlin Conference to discuss the best way to divide Africa without conflict. While both industrialization and imperialism were happening, Europeans were also discovering a sense of nationalism that instilled in them a sense of superiority over other European nations
How did technology change the nature of WWI?
Technology fundamentally transformed WWI, turning it into a mechanized and industrialized conflict. Machine guns, artillery, and poison gas created deadly battlefields, while tanks revolutionized ground warfare. Aerial combat emerged, and submarines disrupted supply lines. Improved communication and medical advances coexisted with the suffering. The war's legacy continues to shape global history and military strategy.
Why do historians consider WWI a global war?
Historians regard WWI as a global war due to its widespread impact across continents and involvement of diverse nations. Unlike previous conflicts, WWI drew in countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The war's alliances, colonial empires, and economic interdependencies connected nations, leading to a truly global scale of conflict. Battles occurred not only on the Western Front but also in the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific. The war's repercussions, including political upheaval, territorial changes, and the League of Nations, reverberated worldwide.
How did WWI differ so significantly from any previous wars?
World War I (WWI) represented a seismic shift from earlier conflicts. Unlike localized wars, WWI drew in major powers from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, creating a truly global conflict. Industrialization introduced devastating technologies—machine guns, artillery, tanks, and poison gas—amplifying destruction and casualties. The static trench warfare on the Western Front was unprecedented, subjecting soldiers to prolonged suffering. Beyond the battlefield, WWI became a "total war," involving entire societies. Civilians contributed to war efforts, and rationing, propaganda, and economic mobilization affected daily life. The collapse of empires reshaped the world map, and the League of Nations emerged as an attempt to prevent future conflicts. In summary, WWI's global scope, technological innovations, and societal impact set it apart from all previous wars.
What were two cultural impacts of WWI and how did they come about?
The trauma and devastation of WWI shattered established norms and artistic conventions. Artists, writers, and musicians responded by breaking away from traditional styles. Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism emerged as avant-garde movements, challenging the status quo. These new forms of expression reflected the disillusionment and chaos of the war. The aftermath of WWI left many Europeans disillusioned with their societies and governments. Amid economic instability and political upheaval, extremist ideologies gained traction.
What are some words that best describe WWI?
Catacylsmic, Catastrophic, Transformational, Destructive, Stupid, and a Mistake.
Define a turning point in history
A major/significant event that changes the course of history
Define mobilization
To organize and move troops in case of war
Define patriotism
Devotion to and vigorous support for one's country (without othering)
Define imperialism
Building and maintaining an empire
Define nationalism
Deep devotion to one's own nation to the potential exclusion and detriment of others
Define arms race
The back-and-forth escalation of military power between two countries.
Define militarism
Glorification of the military and building up of armed forces
Define alliance
An agreement between countries to protect or support one another
Define entente
An agreement to work together that is less formal than an alliance
Define assassination
The murder of an important person in a surprise attack for political or religious reasons
Define blockade
Forcefully sealing off a country or place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving
Define flanking
Attack down or from the sides
Define No Man's Land
The stretch of empty land between the two opposing armies' trenches. It was devoid of plant life, full of dead bodies, and soldiers sent "over the top" frequently died there.
What is the modern name for shell shock?
PTSD
Define rationing
Limiting the consumption of scarce resources or supplies, especially food
What are war bonds?
Citizens bought war bonds as investments that helped the war effort and would be paid back at a later time (like a loan)
What are ANZAC forces?
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops
Who are Slavs?
An ethno-linguistic group present in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and Russia
The Balkans
A powder keg controlled largely by the Ottomans and Austria-Hungarians. Slavs wanted to unify but their controllers did not want to give up territory.
Pre-War Balkan Battles
Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina, angering the people. The Balkan Wars followed as Balkan nationalists fought to get Ottomans out and then fought amongst themselves.
What was the Black Hand?
The Black Hand was a Nationalist organization for Serbia, government supported.
