World War 1 Terminology and Key Facts

Key terms and definitions from World War I, covering battles, warfare, and key people.

Trench Warfare

Soldiers lived and fought in deep trenches; conditions were muddy, cold, and overcrowded.

No Man's Land

The deadly area between opposing trenches, filled with barbed wire and shell craters.

'Over the Top'

Orders to leave the trench and charge into No Man's Land—usually very dangerous.

Barbed Wire

Used to block enemy advances and trap soldiers in open fire zones.

Trench Foot

Painful condition from standing in wet, unsanitary trenches for long periods.

Shell Shock

Psychological trauma from constant bombardment—what we now call PTSD.

Duckboards

Wooden planks placed on the trench floor to keep soldiers' feet dry.

Lice

Bugs that lived in soldiers’ clothing and caused itching and disease.

Ypres (1915)

First major battle with Canadian troops, marked by the first poison gas attack.

Somme (1916)

Deadliest battle with 24,000+ Canadian casualties; introduction of tanks.

Vimy Ridge (1917)

Key ridge captured by Canadians, symbolizing Canadian pride and identity.

Passchendaele (1917)

Muddy battlefield with huge losses for small gain; Canadians lost 15,000 soldiers.

Arthur Currie

First Canadian general, led effectively at Vimy, believed in careful planning.

Creeping Barrage

Artillery moved forward ahead of troops—protected soldiers during attacks.

Last Hundred Days (Aug–Nov 1918)

Final Allied push where Canada played a key role in battles leading to victory.

Flying Aces

Pilots with at least 5 enemy kills, celebrated as war heroes.

The Red Baron

Famous German flying ace Manfred von Richthofen, known for his 80 kills.

Billy Bishop

Canadian ace pilot credited with 72 kills; one of the most decorated soldiers.

Dogfights

Close aerial battles between enemy planes.

Zeppelins

Large airships used by Germans for bombing raids and surveillance.

Naval Blockades

Blocking enemy ports to cut off supplies and trade.

U-Boats

German submarines that attacked Allied ships.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany’s policy of sinking any ship without warning.

Convoy System

Groups of ships traveling together with navy protection to avoid U-boats.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat, killing many civilians.

Recruitment

Getting people to join the army, often through posters and pressure.

Propaganda

Media used to convince public support for the war and hate the enemy.

Wartime Economy

Factories focused on making weapons, food, and supplies for soldiers.

Rationing

Limiting food and goods at home so more could go to the military.

Conscription Crisis

Forced military service that caused protests, especially in Quebec.

Enemy Aliens

People from enemy countries living in Canada, often watched or imprisoned.

Role of Women

Women worked in factories and as nurses while men were at war.

Halifax Explosion

A ship carrying explosives blew up in Halifax, resulting in over 2,000 deaths.

The Spanish Flu

A deadly flu pandemic that killed millions worldwide at the end of the war.

Armistice (Nov 11, 1918)

An agreement to stop fighting and end World War I.

War Guilt Clause

Germany had to accept full responsibility for starting the war.

Reparations

Germany had to pay for the damage caused by the war.

League of Nations

An international group meant to keep peace, though it didn't work well.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that officially ended World War I and blamed Germany.

Woodrow Wilson

USA president who wanted peace and created the idea for the League of Nations.

David Lloyd George

UK leader who wanted to punish Germany but also rebuild Europe.

Georges Clemenceau

French leader who wanted Germany punished harshly to protect France.