WW1 European History Flashcard Set

Militarism (MAIN cause)

Build-up of huge standing armies and mechanized military equipment before WWI. Example: Germany and Britain competing in naval arms race.

Imperialism (MAIN cause)

Nations were determined to keep colonies they had and expand further. Example: Germany wanted more overseas territories like Britain and France.

Nationalism (MAIN cause)

Each nation believed their pride and superiority were at stake. Example: Serbians wanted independence from Austria-Hungary.

Alliance System (MAIN cause)

Complex web of alliances started by Otto von Bismarck to balance power. Worked from 1873-1914 but was fragile.

Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Triple Entente

France, Great Britain, and Russia.

Why were the Balkans called the "powder keg of Europe"?

The region was full of ethnic, religious, and cultural divisions, with many groups demanding independence. Example: Serbia wanted to unite all Serbs, including those in Bosnia.

Bosnian Crisis (1908)

Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina to limit Serbian power, angering Serbia and Russia.

First Balkan War (1912)

Serbia, Greece, and Bulgaria attacked the Ottoman Empire and won, but argued over territory, creating new tensions.

Second Balkan War (1913)

Bulgaria fought Serbia and Greece; Austria intervened to stop it, worsening divisions.

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist and member of the Black Hand, in June 1914. Called the "spark" that started WWI.

Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia

After the assassination, A-H demanded Serbia surrender. Backed by Germany, A-H declared war on July 28, 1914.

Why did Russia mobilize in 1914?

To honor its alliance with Serbia against Austria-Hungary and Germany.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's plan for a lightning-fast invasion of France by going through Belgium and Luxemborg even though they were not apart of the war in any capacity. It stalled, leading to trench warfare.

Trench warfare

Opposing sides dug extensive trenches across France; new weapons caused massive casualties with insubstantial territorial gain.

WWI casualties

About 40 million total casualties, including 15-22 million deaths (9-11 million military, 6-13 million civilians).

Why did Russia leave WWI?

Defeated badly by Germany; Communist Revolution in Nov. 1917 led to Lenin pulling Russia out of the war.

Ottoman Empire in WWI

Joined Central Powers with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Carried out the Armenian Genocide.

Italy's role in WWI

Switched sides in 1915, joining Allies in exchange for promised Austrian land.

Why did the U.S. enter WWI?

German unrestricted submarine warfare (sinking of Lusitania, 1915) and U.S. financial ties to Allies. Officially joined in April 1917.

Total War in WWI

All parts of society focused on the war: rationing, propaganda, women in factories, and government control of economies.

Armistice (Nov. 11, 1918)

After Germany's failed final offensive, Allies advanced. Wilhelm II abdicated, and Germany signed armistice at 11 a.m. on 11/11/1918.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Germany accepted blame for war, paid reparations, lost territory, had military limited, and Rhineland demilitarized. League of Nations created but weak.

U.S. and the League of Nations

U.S. Senate rejected joining, leaving the League weak and ineffective. U.S. turned to isolationism.

Balfour Declaration (1917)

Britain declared support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, angering Palestinians and Arabs.

Postwar Germany

Faced humiliation, economic crisis, and inflation. France invaded Ruhr in 1923. Dawes Plan (1924) provided temporary U.S. loans to stabilize.

Which country was the biggest threat to Germany during this time due to their military power and size?

Russia

Kaiser

King / Tsar

Cancellor

Prime Minister

Why is it important that France and England are now fighting on the same side in WW1?

France and England are enemies

What ultimately leads to the alliances that cause world war one to be so spectacularly awful?

Tension between Russia and Germany

Archduke

Next to be the king

The Black Hand

Extremely radical terrorist group that orchestrated the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Gavrilo Princip

Archduke's Assassin