World War I and Russian Revolution Study Guide

Militarism

European countries built strong militaries and stockpiled weapons.

Alliances

Nations formed defensive agreements (Triple Alliance vs. Triple Entente).

Imperialism

Competition for colonies and resources led to tensions.

Nationalism

Pride in one's country led to conflicts, especially in the Balkans.

Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy.

Triple Entente

Britain, France, Russia.

Balkan Peninsula

Known as the 'powder keg' due to ethnic tensions and nationalist movements.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, killed the heir to Austria-Hungary, sparking WWI.

Ultimatum

Austria-Hungary issued demands to Serbia, which led to war.

Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria.

Allied Powers

Britain, France, Russia, Serbia (later joined by U.S. and others).

Italy switches sides

Initially part of the Triple Alliance but joined the Allies in 1915.

Western Front

Characterized by trench warfare and stalemates.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's failed strategy to quickly defeat France and then focus on Russia.

Battle of the Marne

Stopped the German advance; some troops were transported in taxis.

Trench Warfare

Soldiers fought in ditches with poor conditions, leading to disease and high casualties.

Machine Guns

Rapid fire, made open assaults deadly.

Poison Gas

Chemical warfare causing blindness and death.

Tanks

Used to break through enemy lines.

Submarines (U-Boats)

Used by Germany for unrestricted submarine warfare.

Eastern Front

More mobile battles, but Russia struggled due to lack of resources and modern weapons.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

German U-boats sank civilian ships, including the Lusitania.

Economic Ties

U.S. banks loaned money to the Allies.

Democracy

Wilson's desire to 'make the world safe for democracy.'

Zimmerman Telegram

Germany tried to persuade Mexico to attack the U.S.

Total War

Nations devoted all resources to the war effort.

Rationing

Limiting food and goods to support the military.

Propaganda

Used to gain public support and encourage enlistment.

Women's Role

Worked in factories, as nurses, and in the war effort.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Russia withdrew from the war, making peace with Germany.

Second Battle of the Marne

Turning point; Allies began pushing Germany back.

Armistice

Signed on November 11, 1918, ending the war.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

Plan for peace, included self-determination and League of Nations.

War Guilt Clause

Germany was forced to take full responsibility for the war.

Reparations

Germany had to pay for damages.

Territorial Losses

Germany lost land and its colonies.

Military Restrictions

Germany's military was significantly reduced.

Slow Industrialization

Russia lagged behind Europe.

Czarist Rule

Nicholas II was indecisive and resistant to change.

Economic Problems

Poor economy, food shortages, and worker mistreatment.

WWI Impact

Massive losses, lack of supplies, and military failures led to unrest.

Czar Nicholas II

Last emperor of Russia, overthrown in 1917.

Rasputin

Mystic who influenced the royal family; distrusted by the public.

Women's Protests

Demand for bread turned into a massive revolution.

Czar Abdicates

Nicholas II stepped down, replaced by a provisional government.

Provisional Government Mistake

Continued fighting in WWI, worsening conditions.

Bolsheviks

Radical communists led by Vladimir Lenin.

Slogan

"Peace, Land, and Bread!"

Overthrow of the Provisional Government

Lenin and Bolsheviks took control.

Communism Established

Private property abolished; government controlled industry.

Civil War (1918-1921)

Reds (Bolsheviks) vs. Whites (Anti-Bolsheviks).

Western Powers Involvement

U.S. and others supported the Whites.

Royal Family Executed

Bolsheviks killed Nicholas II and his family.

Lenin's New Economic Policy (NEP)

Allowed some private trade to help rebuild the economy.

USSR Created

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics formed in 1922.

Lenin's Death (1924)

Power struggle between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky.

Key Takeaways

WWI was caused by militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.

New war technology

Made battles deadlier, and trench warfare led to stalemates.

U.S. joined the war

Due to unrestricted submarine warfare and economic interests.

Treaty of Versailles

Placed full blame on Germany, leading to WWII tensions.

Russian Revolution

Led to the fall of the czar and the rise of communism under Lenin.

Bolsheviks defeated opposition

In a brutal civil war, forming the USSR.