World War I: Origins, Alliances, and Major Phases

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key alliance systems, definitions, events, and timeline phases of World War I based on the provided lecture sources.

Triple Entente

The military alliance formed before World War I comprising France, the United Kingdom, and Russia.

Triple Alliance

The military alliance formed before World War I comprising Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Mobilization

The action of putting a country's military forces on a war footing.

Union Sacrée

The political truce and unification of all political parties within a country during World War I.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The heir whose assassination by a Serb on June 28, 1914, triggered the alliance system and plunged Europe into war.

Balkans Conflict

The tension stemming from Serbia's ambition to unite all South Slavs into a single state (Yugoslavia), which threatened Austria-Hungary.

War of Movement (Guerre de mouvement)

A military phase of World War I characterized by rapid tactical movements, occurring in 1914 and again in 1918.

War of Positions (Guerre de positions)

A phase of World War I lasting from 1915 to 1917, characterized by static trench warfare and major defensive battles.

Battle of Verdun

A major battle fought in 1916 during the war of positions phase of World War I.

Battle of the Somme

A major battle fought in 1916 during the war of positions phase of World War I.

Entry of the United States into WWI

The official entry of the United States into World War I, occurring in April 1917.

Peace of Brest-Litovsk

The peace treaty signed in March 1918 between the Central Powers and Russia, marking Russia's exit from the war.

Armistice of November 11, 1918

The agreement signed on November 11, 1918, ending active fighting in World War I.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty signed on June 28, 1919, officially concluding World War I.