World War I: Causes, Alliances, and Schlieffen Plan

What event triggered the start of World War I?

Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.

Which country mobilized its troops in defense of Serbia?

Russia began to mobilize its troops.

What was Germany's response to Russia's mobilization?

Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914.

Why did Germany declare war on France?

Germany declared war on France when France refused to assure neutrality.

Which two alliances were formed during the outbreak of World War I?

The Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) and the Allies (Russia, Serbia, and France).

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

A German military strategy to attack France first while holding off Russia.

Why did Germany believe it could defeat France before Russia?

They believed it would take Russia longer to organize for war due to its larger territory.

What demand did Germany make to Belgium?

Germany demanded that Belgium allow its army to pass through to attack France.

What was the outcome of Belgium's refusal to Germany's demand?

Germany crossed into Belgium on August 4, 1914, breaking a treaty that guaranteed Belgian neutrality.

What was the significance of the treaty that Belgium had with other nations?

The treaty guaranteed Belgian neutrality for seventy-five years.

What geographical challenge did Germany face at the start of World War I?

Germany found itself with enemies on two fronts: Russia in the east and France in the west.

What was the date when Germany declared war on Russia?

August 1, 1914.

What major action did Germany take on August 4, 1914?

Germany invaded Belgium.

How did the outbreak of World War I affect Belgium?

Belgium was invaded by Germany, violating its neutrality.

What was the initial military strategy of Germany regarding France?

To concentrate most of their forces in the west to attack France first.

The Western Front Stalemate

A situation where both sides are at a standstill, specifically the trench system stretching from Switzerland to the English Channel.

Battle of the Somme (1916)

A British offensive resulting in 600,000 Allied casualties for a gain of only 125 miles of land.

Battle of Verdun (1916)

A six-month German bombardment and offensive where the French held their lines despite heavy fighting.

War of Attrition

A deadly form of conflict where each side tries to gradually wear down the other through constant losses in personnel and materiel.

Battles of Tannenberg/Masurian Lakes

Decisive German victories led by General Paul von Hindenburg that pushed demoralized Russian troops back toward Russia.

Russian Industrial Inadequacy

A fatal weakness where Russian factories could not produce enough supplies, and sea routes were blocked by ice or German warships.

Gallipoli Peninsula Campaign

A failed 1915 British naval and land attack against the Ottoman Empire intended to open a sea route to Russia; resulted in over 100,000 casualties.

Italy's Entry into WWI

Despite being in the Triple Alliance, this nation joined the Allies in 1915 after being promised territory and loans.

Lewis Machine Gun

A weapon that dramatically increased firepower by firing 450 rounds per minute, contributing to high casualty rates.

Big Bertha

Massive German guns with a range of 75 to 80 miles that launched shells 420 mm in diameter.

Trench Warfare

Intricate systems of defensive ditches that led to a long-term stalemate on the Western Front.

Poison Gas

A chemical weapon used in artillery shells that forced the development of gas masks and detection devices.

Zeppelins

Long, slender German airships used to bomb London and eastern England.

U-boats (Unterseeboot)

German submarines used to sink Allied and neutral ships to enforce a blockade and starve the enemy.

Sinking of the Lusitania

The May 7, 1915, event where a German submarine killed 1,198 people (including 128 Americans), leading to U.S. protests.

Battle of Jutland (1916)

A naval battle off the coast of Denmark where the German fleet failed to break the British blockade.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

A German policy resumed in 1917 to sink all ships, including unarmed ones, carrying supplies to the Allies.