C1 - WW1 Key Terms

Civilian-un(e) civil(e)

A person who is not a member of the police, the armed forces, or a fire department.

World War-guerre mondiale

A conflict involving states from several continents

Trench Warfare-guerre de tranchées

A form of warfare in which opposing armies fight from long, narrow ditches called trenches.

The Front-le front

The area where armies engage in combat.

The Rear-l’arrière

Behind the front, where civilians live, home territory

War of movement-Guerre de mouvement

A military strategy emphasizing rapid movement and surprise to outmaneuver an enemy.

Home Front-l’effort de guerre

The civilian population and activities of a nation whose armed forces are engaged in war abroad.

Total War-Guerre totale

The complete mobilization of a society's human, economic, and moral resources to win a war, civilian effort and government control

Conscription-conscription

The forced enlistment into military service

Rationing-rationnement

The controlled distribution of scarce food and resources to ensure supply and proper distribution during the war.

Censorship-censure

The restriction of information, letters, and news reports to control public opinion and suppress anything considered a threat to security.

Propaganda-propagande

The use of media, images, and messages (which may be one-sided or false) to influence public opinion and gain support for a cause.

DORA-DORA

Defense of the Realm Act 1914: Gave the government wide-ranging powers to requisition buildings, create new criminal offenses, and implement social control to prevent invasion and keep morale high.

Conscientious objectors-Objecteurs de conscience

People who refuse to serve in the military or bear arms due to moral or religious beliefs.

Suffrage-Suffragette-Le suffrage-Une suffragette

Suffrage is the right to vote in political elections. A Suffragette is a woman who campaigns for the right to vote.

Deportation-déportation

Forced displacement of a population.

Genocide-génocide

Systematic mass killing and deportation of a people based on its ethnic or cultural background.

Bolshevik-bolchévique

A member of the majority faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party, which was renamed the Communist Party after seizing power in the October Revolution of 1917.

Communism-communisme

A political theory by Marx; classless society, no private property, government control and redistribution

Soviet-Soviet

soviétique

Mass Violence-Violence de masse

Human-caused tragedies that impact whole communities, such as shootings, typically targeting defenseless citizens.

The Treaty of Versailles-Le Traité de Versailles

The peace treaty signed in 1919 that officially ended WW1 between Germany and the Allied Powers, imposing harsh terms on Germany and establishing the League of Nations.

Allied Powers-Les Alliés

The countries fighting against the Central Powers, including France, Britain, Russia, and later the USA.

Armenian Genocide-Le génocide arménien

The systematic mass killing and forced deportation of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1917.

Armistice-L’armistice

An agreement to stop fighting, usually as a step toward peace; the Armistice of 11 November 1918 ended WW1.

Central Powers-Les Puissances centrales

The alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire during WW1.

Diktat-Diktat

A pejorative term denouncing the writing of the Treaty of Versailles by the victors, without negotiation with Germany.

The League of Nations-The League of Nations

An international organization established in 1920 by the Treaty of Versailles to promote peace after WW1; it failed to prevent WWII and was the predecessor to the United Nations.

Mutiny-La mutinerie

A rebellion by soldiers against their commanders, often due to harsh conditions.

Nationalism-Le nationalisme

A political ideology that asserts the superiority of one’s nation, prioritizing its interests above others.

No Man’s Land-Le no man’s land

The unoccupied land between opposing trenches.

Patriotism-Le patriotisme

A deep devotion and pride in one’s country.

Shell Shock-Le choc des obus

A psychological disorder (now known as PTSD) caused by prolonged exposure to combat and explosions.

War Bonds-Les emprunts de guerre

Government-issued loans that citizens purchase to help finance the war effort.

War Economy-L’économie de guerre

The shift of a country’s economy to focus on producing weapons, supplies, and military goods.

War of Attrition-Une guerre d’usure

A prolonged conflict where each side tries to gradually wear down the enemy's resources and morale.