WWI & Russian Revolution

What were the main causes of World War I?

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

What does militarism refer to?

The large-scale building up of a nation’s military forces.

What were the major alliances in World War I?

The Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy)

How did imperialism contribute to WWI?

Countries competed for colonies and territories, leading to tensions between European powers.

What is nationalism?

Pride in one’s identity, often leading to the desire for self-determination and independent nation-states.

Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group.

What was the response of Austria-Hungary to the assassination?

Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia, leading to the escalation of tensions.

What new weapons were used in World War I?

Poison gas, machine guns, submarines, airplanes, tanks.

What was trench warfare like?

Cold, muddy, rat-infested, and led to disease; it resulted in a stalemate.

What was the impact of submarines in WWI?

Germany used U-boats to attack Allied ships, leading to blockades and disruptions in trade.

Why did the U.S. enter World War I?

Economic connections with Allies, unrestricted German submarine warfare (e.g., sinking of Lusitania), and the Zimmermann Telegram.

What was the Zimmermann Telegram?

A German message to Mexico intercepted by the Allies, which proposed an alliance against the U.S.

What is propaganda?

Slanted or inaccurate information used to sway public opinion during wartime.

What role did women play during WWI?

Women worked in factories, took on new roles, and contributed to the war effort in many ways.

What was the result of WWI for colonies?

Colonies were forced to contribute to the war effort but did not gain independence, causing long-term resentment.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

A peace treaty that ended WWI, placing the blame for the war on Germany and imposing heavy reparations.

When did WWI end?

November 11, 1918 (Armistice Day).

What happened in Russia after WWI?

The Bolsheviks took power during the October Revolution, ending the monarchy and establishing Soviet Russia.

Who led the Red Army during the Russian Civil War?

The Red Army was led by Lenin and military leader Leon Trotsky, fighting for the Bolsheviks.

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

A peace treaty signed between Soviet Russia and Germany, ending Russia's involvement in WWI.

What did Lenin believe regarding workers and production?

Lenin believed that workers should own the means of production.

What policies did Lenin implement to control the economy?

He abolished private trade, redistributed peasants' crops, and took control of factories and industries.

What was the New Economic Policy (NEP)?

A policy that allowed some small-scale private ownership, reintroduced money, and permitted peasants to own land.

What happened to the NEP after Lenin’s death?

The NEP ended with Lenin’s death in 1924, and more radical policies took over.

What is totalitarianism?

A system where the government controls all aspects of public and private life through secret police, indoctrination, and censorship.

What was the Five-Year Plan?

A series of state-led plans aimed at industrializing the Soviet Union rapidly.

What was collectivized agriculture?

A system where peasants were forced to join collectives, and the government controlled food distribution and land management.

What were the consequences of collectivization?

There were widespread food shortages, peasant resistance, and millions of deaths from famine, though heavy industry grew.

What was the impact of collectivization on industry?

Despite the human cost, the plan successfully turned the Soviet Union into an industrial power with a low cost of living.

What happened to the Romanov family during the Russian Civil War?

The Romanov family was executed during the Civil War, marking the end of the Russian imperial dynasty.