World War One and the Treaty of Versailles

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the alliance systems of World War One, the Battle of the Somme, features of trench warfare, and the terms and reactions to the Treaty of Versailles.

Triple Entente

A 1907 friendly agreement between Britain, France, and Russia that strategically encircled the Triple Alliance.

Triple Alliance

An 1882 agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy to defend each other if attacked, which created suspicion in Europe.

Entente Cordiale

A 1904 agreement between Britain and France to put aside centuries of rivalry due to concerns over German ambition.

Treaty of London (1839)

The agreement regarding Belgian neutrality which prompted Britain to enter World War One in order to defend it.

Schlieffen Plan

A German military strategy created to deal with the threat of encirclement by the Triple Entente.

Kitchener’s “New Army”

A mass volunteer force raised by Britain, many of whom fought in their first major engagement at the Battle of the Somme.

Lochnagar Mine

One of 19 huge mines detonated at 7:28am on July 1, 1916, at the start of the Somme offensive.

MG08

German machine guns capable of firing $500$ rounds per minute that dominated No Man’s Land.

Newfoundland Regiment

A unit that suffered catastrophic losses on the first day of the Somme, losing over $700$ of $801$ men in $30$ minutes.

Accrington Pals

A volunteer battalion that lost $584$ of $720$ men during the attacks on July 1, 1916.

Communication trenches

Zigzag routes linking the front, support, and reserve lines to allow for the safe movement of men and supplies.

Parapet and parados

Raised earth or sandbag walls placed at the front and rear of a trench for soldier protection.

Duckboards

Wooden planks placed at the bottom of trenches to reduce waterlogging and prevent trench foot.

Trench foot

A condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold water and mud that could lead to gangrene and amputation.

Shell shock

The historical term for psychological breakdowns caused by constant bombardment and fear, now recognized as PTSD.

Mills bombs

A type of grenade that was vital for infantry use during trench raids.

Hindenburg Line

A highly developed German defensive system featuring deep shelters, concrete bunkers, and multiple trench layers.

Creeping barrage

An artillery tactic where fire moves forward just ahead of advancing infantry to provide cover.

Fourteen Points

President Woodrow Wilson’s plan for lasting peace, which included principles like self-determination and the League of Nations.

The Big Three

The dominant leaders at the Paris Peace Conference: David Lloyd George (UK), Georges Clemenceau (France), and Woodrow Wilson (USA).

Article 231

Known as the War Guilt Clause, it required Germany to accept full responsibility for causing the war and its subsequent damages.

Reparations

Compensation Germany was forced to pay for civilian damage; the sum was set in 1921 at $132$ billion gold marks.

Polish Corridor

Territory given to Poland that created access to the sea but separated East Prussia from the rest of Germany.

Saar Basin

A region placed under League of Nations administration for $15$ years, with its coal mines given to France as compensation.

Rhineland

An area of Germany that was demilitarized by the Treaty of Versailles, meaning no German troops or fortifications were allowed.

Diktat

The German perspective of the Treaty of Versailles as a 'dictated peace' because they were not allowed to negotiate the terms.

November Criminals

A term used by nationalists and Hitler to describe the Weimar politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles.

Kapp Putsch

A 1920 revolution in Berlin attempted by those who opposed the Treaty of Versailles.

Stab in the Back

A legend used in Hitler's speeches suggesting that the German army was betrayed by the government rather than defeated on the battlefield.