Mother Russia and the Later Romanovs

Romanov Dynasty

The ruling dynasty of Russia before the revolution of 1917.

Czar/Tsar

The title given to the Russian ruler, similar to the name Caesar.

Byzantine Empire

The eastern half of the Roman Empire after its collapse.

Orthodox Christianity

A form of Christianity practiced in the Byzantine Empire and adopted by the Slavic peoples in Eastern Europe.

Cyrillic Language

A written language created by Cyril and Methodius for the Slavic peoples.

Caesaropapism

A system where the ruler holds both religious and political power.

Peter the Great

A Russian tsar who modernized Russia and built St. Petersburg.

Catherine the Great

A Russian empress who expanded the empire and conquered parts of Poland.

Alexander I

A Russian tsar known for his enigmatic rule and attempted reforms.

Nicholas I

A Russian tsar known as the reluctant autocrat and for his oppressive policies.

Alexander II

A Russian tsar known as the Tsar-Liberator for his reforms, including the emancipation of the serfs.

Alexander III

A Russian tsar known as the last autocrat and for his repressive policies.

Nicholas II

The last emperor of Russia, who abdicated during the Russian Revolution.

Triple Alliance

A military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Triple Entente

A military alliance between France, Russia, and Britain.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The event that triggered the start of World War I.

Trench Warfare

A type of warfare where soldiers fought from trenches.

Lusitania

A British ship sunk by a German U-boat, leading to increased tensions between the US and Germany.

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting, leading to the end of World War I.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that ended World War I and imposed harsh terms on Germany.

Reparations

Payments made by Germany to the Allies as compensation for the damages caused by the war.

Russian Revolution

The overthrow of the Romanov dynasty and the establishment of a communist government in Russia.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the government has total control over all aspects of life.

League of Nations

An international organization created after World War I to promote peace and prevent future wars.

Influenza Pandemic

A global outbreak of the flu that spread during and after World War I.

Stalemate

A situation where neither side can make progress or gain an advantage.

Western Front

The battlefield in Western Europe during World War I.

Eastern Front

The battlefield in Eastern Europe during World War I.

Allied Powers

The countries that fought against the Central Powers in World War I, including Britain, France, and Russia.

Central Powers

The countries that fought against the Allied Powers in World War I, including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

Battle of the Somme

One of the bloodiest battles of World War I, resulting in heavy casualties for both sides.

Battle of Verdun

The longest and one of the deadliest battles of World War I, fought between Germany and France.

Battle of Ypres

A series of battles fought in Ypres, Belgium, during World War I.

Battle of Tannenberg

A major German victory against the Russians on the Eastern Front.

Battle of Gallipoli

A failed Allied campaign to capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople.

Battle of Marne

A battle on the Western Front that marked the end of the German advance into France.

Battle of Belleau Wood

A major battle fought by the United States Marine Corps in France during World War I.

Battle of St. Mihiel

A successful offensive by the American Expeditionary Forces against the Germans in France.