World War 1

Militarism

Glorification of military power and buildup of armies and weapons.

Alliances

Agreements between countries to provide mutual support (e.g., Triple Alliance, Triple Entente).

Imperialism

Competition for colonies and resources created tension among European powers.

Nationalism

Intense pride in one’s nation, which heightened rivalries and led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was killed by a Serbian nationalist in 1914, sparking WWI.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany’s strategy to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium, leading to Britain joining the war.

Trench Warfare

Defensive strategy on the Western Front; characterized by stalemates and horrendous living conditions.

Battle of the Somme

One of the bloodiest battles of WWI in 1916, with over a million casualties; exemplified trench warfare brutality.

U.S. Entry into WWI

Caused by unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany and the Zimmermann Telegram in 1917.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

His assassination in Sarajevo triggered the outbreak of World War I.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Emperor of Germany during WWI; known for advocating aggressive foreign policies.

Woodrow Wilson

U.S. president during WWI; proposed the Fourteen Points and the League of Nations.

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of the Russian Revolution; withdrew Russia from the war through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

Machine Guns

Increased firepower during WWI, making traditional infantry charges devastatingly ineffective.

Poison Gas

Introduced by Germany; caused horrific injuries and deaths during WWI.

Tanks

Developed by the British to overcome trench warfare, though initially unreliable.

Submarines (U-boats)

Used by Germany to attack Allied shipping, prompting U.S. entry into the war.

Airplanes

Utilized for reconnaissance and later as bombers and fighters during WWI.

Allied Powers

The coalition that included Britain, France, Russia, and later the U.S. and Italy.

Central Powers

The coalition that included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace treaty between Germany and Russia in 1918, allowing Germany to focus on the Western Front.

Treaty of Versailles

Ended WWI in 1919; imposed harsh reparations on Germany and established the League of Nations.

Fourteen Points

Woodrow Wilson’s plan for post-war peace, emphasizing self-determination and the League of Nations.

Total War

Nations dedicated all resources to the war effort, involving civilians in production and rationing.

No-Man’s Land

Area between opposing trenches, often deadly to cross during WWI.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

German policy of attacking all ships, including civilian vessels, around Britain.

Zimmermann Telegram

Secret German proposal to Mexico, promising U.S. territory in exchange for joining the war.

Armistice (November 11, 1918)

Ceasefire agreement that ended the fighting in WWI.

Casualties

Over 16 million deaths, including civilians and soldiers, resulting from WWI.

Economic Devastation

Massive debt and destruction in Europe; the U.S. emerged as a leading economic power post-WWI.

Fall of Empires

Collapse of the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, German, and Russian Empires as a result of WWI.

Rise of Communism

Result of the Russian Revolution, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.

Seeds of WWII

Harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles created resentment in Germany that contributed to WWII.