History WW1 Test

Militarism

Nations built massive armies/navies, creating an arms race that made war more likely.

Alliances

Secret alliances (Triple Alliance, Triple Entente) dragged many nations into conflict once one was attacked.

Imperialism

Rival empires competed for colonies and resources, heightening tensions.

Nationalism

Pride in one's nation or ethnic group caused rivalries and demands for independence.

Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy.

Triple Entente

France, Britain, Russia.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Killed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, to protest Austrian rule over Slavs—Austria blamed Serbia, starting a chain of war declarations.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's plan to quickly defeat France via Belgium, then attack Russia; failed due to Belgian resistance and Allied counterattacks, leading to stalemate.

Home by Christmas spirit

Citizens expected a quick, glorious war; nationalism and propaganda fueled excitement before the realities of trench warfare set in.

Propaganda

Used emotional appeals (patriotism, fear, guilt) to recruit soldiers and gain support.

Target audiences of propaganda

Targeted civilians, women (to work/encourage enlistment), and men (to fight).

Effectiveness of propaganda

Effective because it controlled information and played on national pride and fear of enemies.

New technologies in WWI

Machine guns, poison gas, tanks, airplanes, submarines.

Impact of new technologies

Caused massive casualties and trench stalemate (war of attrition).

Old strategies in WWI

Cavalry charges and frontal assaults didn't work against modern weapons.

Western Front

Trench warfare, stalemate, heavy artillery, and little land gained.

Eastern Front

More mobile, larger territory, fewer trenches but still devastating losses.

Flaws in Russian Political System

Poor leadership, military defeats, food shortages, weak economy, and unrest against Tsar Nicholas II.

Bolshevik Ideology

Communist—promoted workers' control and end of capitalism; gained power through promises of 'peace, land, and bread.'

Transformation of Russia

Russia became the Soviet Union; private property abolished, industries nationalized.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace treaty with Germany—Russia lost territory; angered Allies since it freed German troops for the Western Front.

Reason for Russian Withdrawal from War

Russia was exhausted and facing civil war.

Reasons for US Joining the War

German unrestricted submarine warfare, Zimmerman Telegram, economic ties to Allies, and desire to 'make the world safe for democracy.'

US Contributions to the Triple Entente

Supplied weapons, loans, and fresh troops that boosted Allied morale and strength.

Colonial Contributions to WWI

Colonies (India, Africa, Australia, Canada, etc.) sent soldiers and laborers.

Impact of WWI on Colonized Peoples

They hoped loyalty would earn respect and independence; Europeans mostly ignored colonial sacrifices after the war, fueling independence movements later.

Kaiserschlacht

Germany's last major push in Spring Offensive 1918; failed as troops were exhausted and Allies counterattacked.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

Massive Allied attack that broke German lines and forced surrender (Nov 1918).

Reparations Clause of Treaty of Versailles

Germany had to pay massive war damages.

War Guilt Clause of Treaty of Versailles

Germany blamed for the war.

Impact of Treaty of Versailles on Germany

These harsh terms created resentment and fueled Nazi rise in the 1930s.