WW1 Flashcards

Europe prior to the war

They were doing pretty well. Bismarck had been preventing war, until he was fired.

Causes of the war

-There were already alliances in Europe. As well as tension.
-Power in Europe was unbalanced.
-Military power was increasing.
-Imperialism
-Pan-Slavism.

Pan-Slavism

Russia should protect Russian people.

The spark of the War

Serbia wanted to expand, but Austria was opposed to that idea. Archduke is then assassinated by a Serbian nationalist group. Austria declares war Serbia, and Germany joins because of the blank agreement. And Russia joins Serbia because of Pan-Slavism.

Francis Ferdinand

Archduke of Austria, his assassination is the spark of World War 1.

Blank Check Agreement

Austria asks Germany if they will help in a war against Serbia. Germany says that whatever Austria does they will help.

Triple Entente (Allies)

The Alliance between: Russia, France, and Britain.

Triple Alliance (Central Powers)

The Alliance between: Austria, Germany, and Italy

Russia

Country that joined the war because of Pan-slavism. They wanted to protect Serbia

France

Country that joined the war because they hated Germany, so they just joined the side which opposed them.

Britain

Country that joined the war later, because Germany invaded neutral Belgium.

Austria

Country that started the war by declaring war on Serbia.

Germany

Country that joined the war because of their Blank Check agreement with Austria

Italy

Country that joined the war because they disliked Austria, but then swithed sides later in the war.

The Schlieffen Plan

Germany didn't want to fight a Two Front War, so they planned on fighting France first, then fighting Russia. Ends up not working and they have a problem defeating the French.

Two Front War

Fighting a war on two sides, makes you split up your army.

Battle of the Marne

Battle where the Germans tired to take Paris, but failed and both sides dug trenches starting Trench Warfare.

Trench Warfare

When the two sides dig trenches to fight each other. The trenches are separated by "No Man's Land", and soldiers would have to go through it while being shot at, to try and overin the enemy trench.

Trench living conditions

-They were very unsanitary
-constantly wet
-People were cramped
-Constant fear of being attacked

German Trenches

Had better trenches as they knew the war would probably take a while.

The Allie's Trenches

Though the war would be over quickly, so they didn't build their trenches that well, making them with worse conditions.

No Man's Land

The area of land between trenches where soldiers would have to cross. It was often full of the dead, mines, and other dangers.

"Over The Top"

The term for when soldiers would try to leave their trench and charge the enemy trench.

Stalemate

When both sides are fighting, but neither is winning. In WW1 it happened because of Trenches.

The Breaks for the stalemate

- Russia leaving the war
- British Blockade
- U-boats
- U.S joining the war
- The tank
- The winter of 1917

British Blockade

Britain set up a blockade to stop Germany from getting resources, and Germany eventually made a counter blockade with U-boats.

U-boats

Underwater boats (submarines)

The Lusitania

A british ship which Germany sunk without warning. The incident killed about 100 americans, causing them to think about joining the war.

The Zimmerman Note

A message from Germany to Mexico, which told them to invade the U.S in order to distract them from joining WW1. It was intercepted and the U.S joined the allies.

The Tank

First developed by Britain, was used to break trenches, and made the war mobile once more.

The Winter of 1917

During this winter the Germans were hit really hard with Influenza.

Influenza

The full name for the Flu.

The Armistice

Germany gave up and signed for peace, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. End of WW1.

The winners (Big 3)

England, France, and the United States.

Wilson's 14 points

Woodrow Wilson's ideas for a peace treaty which was not so harsh toward the Germans. Ideas in it included, limitation of arms, freedom of the seas, and the league of nations.

The League of Nations

An international assembly of different countries, that would work together to keep peace.

Total War

Involving the civilian population in the war.

Treaty of Versailles

A treaty made by the winners of World War in France, was very harsh to the Germans. Also didn't help all of the winning countries that much. Was signed in 1919.

Terms of the treaty of Versailles

- Punish the Germans
- Germany had to reduce their army
- Germany had to limit their weapons making
- Reduce Germany's size
- Germany had to pay reparations
- League of Nations was created

Reparations

Cost of war