World War I, Armenian Genocide, and Russian Revolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, dates, definitions, and figures regarding the causes, major phases, genocide, revolutions, and outcomes of World War I based on handwritten history lecture notes.

Economic Rivalries (WWI Causes)

Pre-WWI rivalry in which Germany threatened the European economic dominance of the United Kingdom.

Colonial Rivalries (WWI Causes)

Pre-WWI disputes stemming from Germany demanding colonies from France and the United Kingdom.

National Rivalries (WWI Causes)

Tensions caused by France wanting to recover Alsace-Lorraine and various national groups (such as Czechs, Slovaks, Croats, and Poles) seeking independence.

Assassination of Sarajevo

The triggering event of WWI on $28/06/1914$, when the heir of Austria-Hungary was assassinated, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.

Triple Alliance

A military alliance prior to WWI formed by the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Italy.

Triple Entente

A military alliance during WWI comprising France, the United Kingdom, and Russia.

War of Movement (First Phase)

The initial phase of WWI (August $1914$ to late $1914$) characterized by large offensives to defeat the opponent rather than remaining in defensive positions.

War of Position (Second Phase)

The phase of WWI from January $1915$ to March $1918$ defined by trench warfare, where troops entrenched themselves to prevent retreat and attempted breakthroughs.

Battle of Verdun

A primary example of trench warfare during the War of Position phase between $1915$ and $1918$.

Armistice of November 11, 1918

The official ceasefire agreement signed at Rethondes requested by an exhausted Germany after failed offensives and successful Allied counter-offensives.

Mass Violence (Violence de masse)

A defining characteristic of WWI military combat aimed directly at killing or wounding a large number of soldiers.

Genocide

The methodical, state-organized extermination of an entire population or ethnic group.

Armenian Genocide

The $1915$ state-organized extermination by the Ottoman Empire of its Orthodox Christian Armenian minority, falsely accused of siding with enemy Russia, resulting in $1.5 \text{ million}$ deaths.

Russian Revolution of February 1917

The first phase of the $1917$ Russian revolutions triggered by war economy shortages, exhausted soldiers, and demonstrations, resulting in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.

Russian Revolution of October 1917

The second $1917$ Russian revolution, led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks, which seized power and ended Russia's involvement in WWI.

Bolsheviks

The communist group led by Lenin that took power in Russia during the October $1917$ revolution.

Russian Civil War

The conflict from $1917$ to $1921$ in which Lenin's communist forces fought against the 'Whites' (tsarists).

Communism

An ideology advocating the elimination of private property, nobility, and the bourgeoisie, where the State owns all resources and distributes them equally.

USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; established as the world's first communist state following the victory of the communists in Russia.

Human Balance Sheet of WWI

Total losses including $9.5 \text{ million}$ deaths (most affected: Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and France with $1.5 \text{ million}$), $2 \text{ million}$ wounded, and millions of widows and orphans.

Gueules Cassées

A term used to describe soldiers who suffered severe facial disfigurement and trauma during WWI.

Classe Creuse (Hollow Class)

A demographic gap resulting from the severe drop in birth rates during $1914$–$1918$, causing a shortage of young people $20$ years later.

Material Balance Sheet of WWI

Extensive destruction of towns, mines, bridges, roads, and agricultural fields, particularly in occupied and combat zones of Belgium and North-East France.

Financial Balance Sheet of WWI

The economic ruin and heavy indebtedness of all participating nations following the war, with the exception of the USA.